COBDEN — The Cobden Appleknockers wrapped up an unbeaten season, finishing 18-0 thanks to a 58-43 win at Trico Saturday night. Senior Noah Franklin once again led the way with 28 points and reached another milestone in the process.

With a basket early in the second quarter, Franklin reached 2000 career points–capping an incredible final two weeks of the season and his career. He became the school’s all-time leading scorer March 5. A day later, he reached 1000 career rebounds. Then on March 11, Franklin surpassed 500 career assists before reaching 2000 in the scoring column Saturday night.

Franklin’s final career totals look like this: 2015 points, 1052 rebounds, and 507 assists.

“I’ve really been blessed to be around some great players that could do some things,” said Cobden head coach Wendell Wheeler. “The thing about Noah is his work ethic. In high school basketball, a lot guys score, but to score and rebound and be your best passer and lead you in assists like that, that says a lot for him.”

Franklin, who will be headed to Southwest Baptist University next year, was reluctant to talk about his individual numbers.

“That’s just going to a reminder of the success we’ve had this year,” Franklin said. “I knew those were possibilities coming into this year, and I knew the harder we worked as a team, the closer I would get.”

The Appleknockers jumped on the Pioneers early and often. Noah’s younger brother Tyler knocked down a pair of three-pointers early, helping Cobden to a 17-6 lead after one. It was 23-12 at the half.

The Pioneers scored the first bucket in the third, then the Appleknockers promptly went on an 11-0 run to seize complete control. Again, Tyler Franklin hit a pair of threes during the run to help put his team up 20.

Trico tried to get back in it, bombing away from three-point range. Seniors Daniel Vogt and Kaden Wilson tried to shoot the Pioneers back in it. Vogt hit five threes on the night and led Trico with 15. Wilson added 14, including a three before the third quarter buzzer.

The Appleknockers never let the Pioneers get closer than 13 the rest of the way, to put the finishing touches on an unbeaten season, a season that looked doubtful until late January due to the pandemic.

“I feel like later on down the line when I look back on this, it’s gonna be a reminder of how hard the guys have worked and the companionship we’ve felt during these crazy times,” Franklin said. “Not being certain of anything and having a lot of fun doing it–getting to practice with these guys every day has been a lot of fun, and we made some good memories.”

A lot of memories to go along with a lot of wins, and a lot of points, rebounds, and assists.