Basketball Recap: Research Triangle Takes a Loss

Research Triangle was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a blow against the Franklin Academy Patriots, falling 65-37. While losing is never fun, the Raptors can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 625th, while the Patriots are ranked 279th).

Darien Venable

Points

02/07/25 vs Franklin Academy	13
02/04/25 @ Raleigh Charter	7
02/03/25 @ Falls Lake	8
01/30/25 vs Falls Lake	6
01/24/25 @ Discovery Charter School	10
+ 9 more games

Research Triangle's loss came despite strong showings from Sam Griffith and Darien Venable. Griffith almost dropped a double-double with 13 points and nine boards, while Venable posted 13 points and five rebounds. That's the most points Venable has posted since back in November of 2024.

Franklin Academy's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Sam Artz led the charge by going 6 for 7 en route to 14 points. Artz continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was Aiden Henrie, who went 5 of 8 on his way to 15 points.

Research Triangle's loss dropped their record down to 5-16. As for Franklin Academy, their win bumped their record up to 16-8.

Research Triangle has already played their next match (against East Wake Academy), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing. As for Franklin Academy, they didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 59-48 victory against Wake Prep Academy on the 11th.