FMS boys overcoming adversity

This year’s Farragut Middle School basketball team has managed to go 12-2 in Knox County League play, 14-2 overall, and will finish as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed among Class AAA (larger) schools for the upcoming county tournament.

However, “This is the most adversity I’ve faced since we’ve been here,” said Admirals head coach Lynn Allen, in his third year coaching FMS.

“We had a couple of players off the (Junior Varsity) championship (team) last year that, for whatever reason, we didn’t have them this year; we had a starter break his wrist; and we’ve been playing the last three games without our best player, point guard Ethan (Farhat), who broke his ankle,” the coach added.

“Our kids have rallied and played extremely well. Our team has battled through adversity to be about as good a we can be.”

The most recent victory came on Eighth-Grade Night at FMS Monday evening, Jan. 9, as Carter came to FMS’s Bobby Henry Gymnasium.

Despite falling behind early 9-4, Farragut rallied and beat Carter 59-37. Guard Bralyn Gibbs’ 22 points led the winners, with guard Bennett Wright adding four three-point baskets and 14 total points. Matthew Dickens had eight, followed by Connor Everly and Westin Carbaugh scoring five each. Harrison Smith added four points, with Kyle Clark and Sam Cantrell scoring two apiece and Colton Liner one.

“The first two years I’ve been here the Lord has blessed us so much,” Allen said. “I have an amazing group of kids.”

Allen said Farhat “may get to come back for the tournament; we’re not for sure. It was a clean break. It depends on how the Lord works that out.”