While many teams have two to four games under their belts already, No. 2 St. Frances stepped into live game competition for the first time Saturday, with an early Baltimore Catholic League tilt against St. Maria Goretti in Hagerstown

Goretti, which had already played four times prior to Saturday, forced the Panther offense to struggle, but St. Frances had more than enough fire-power to dispatch the Gaels, 47-39.

Panther head coach Mark Karcher said this team will revolve around the play of seniors Ronald Williams and Greg Lewis and that was the case against Goretti.  Williams scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead all scorers.  Lewis missed a double-double by one point, as he scored nine and hauled down 11 rebounds.

Goretti converted just 14-of-30 free throw attempts (46%), which really hurt its ability to make the game closer.  Likewise, St. Frances was only 17-of-29 from the charity stripe (58%).  More success their may have given the Panthers a more comfortable margin of victory.

Jawuan Wilson (3-2) led the Gaels with 13 points.

Goretti will play next on Tuesday at Smithsburg, while the Panthers will play their home opener on Monday against Bowie.

No. 2 St. Frances 47, St. Maria Goretti 39
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St. Frances141361447
St. Maria Goretti51191439
St. Frances:
Williams 17, Brown 2, Tarver 11, Solomon 2, Code 5, Costly 1, Lewis 9. Totals: 13 17-29 47.
St. Maria Goretti:
Wilson 13, Rajchpillay 3, T. Fleetwood 1, D. Leafier 7, Zanfack 4, Shaeking 5, Tekada 6. Totals: 10 14-30 39.