Wildcats win nailbiter against Franklin 43-40

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. With teammates junior Cooper Welch (14) and senior Jayton Henry (20) in the background, junior Willie Goodwyn goes up for a layup in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against Franklin, N.C. Goodwyn scored 12 points to help the Wildcats to a narrow 43-40 victory.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. With junior Jack Hood looking on, junior Paul Picciotti attacks the basket on Friday night against Banks County. Picciotti and Hood are two of the six athletes who joined the basketball season later due to football season continuing past Thanksgiving.

Luke Morey/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County senior Jayton Henry finishes the fast break with a layup against Franklin on Saturday, Dec. 10. Henry led the team with a career-high 14 points, including hitting two clutch free throws with under a minute remaining in the game to give the Wildcats a lead they would not relinquish.