PLAYOFF TIME: The Academy Bumblebees (24-9) begin the Class 3A boys basketball playoffs with a bi-district game against the Fairfield...

REMATCH TIME: One year ago, guard Darion Franklin (2) and Academy defeated Hayden Helton (4) and Franklin 69-47 in a Class 3A Region III...

By GREG WILLE TempleBeltonSports.com gwille2@hot.rr.com GATESVILLE – After charging past Fairfield in its Class 3A playoff opener, the...

PLAYOFF TIME: Academy senior point guard Darion Franklin (left, shooting) and the 10th-ranked Bumblebees (24-7) begin the Class 3A state...

By GREG WILLE TempleBeltonSports.com gwille2@hot.rr.com BELTON – Ellie Erwin outscored cold-starting Troy 8-2 in the first quarter...

LET IT FLY: Academy senior point guard Darion Franklin takes a 3-point shot over Lake Belton junior Devin Gossett during the host...

SEMIFINAL SHOWDOWN: San Antonio Cole junior guard Silas Livingston takes a jump shot over Academy senior defender Tanner Rambeau during...

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES: Jared Hunt is Academy ISD's athletic director, but 19 years ago he was a backup junior guard on coach Alex...

DRIVING FORCE: Junior point guard Darion Franklin has helped lead Academy to the Class 3A state semifinals by averaging 18.2 points in...

NET PROCEEDS: Academy head coach James Holt celebrates with his players after cutting down the net following the Bumblebees' 68-58 win...

SENIOR MOMENT: With 16th-ranked Academy trailing No. 7 New Waverly 60-58 with 3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter Friday night,...

POSTSEASON APPAREL: Academy head coach James Holt (wearing tie) and assistant coaches Jason Rankin (holding paper) and Chuck Mann wear...

SEASONED PERFORMERS: Academy senior guards Jerry Cephus (left) and Kollin Mraz have helped lead the 16th-ranked Bumblebees (20-7) to 13...

MOVING FORWARD: Academy senior forward Tanner Rambeau scored 11 of his 15 points after halftime Saturday afternoon to help the...

BEES BROTHERS: Senior power forward Tanner Rambeau (right) and junior guard Trae Rambeau are multiple-season standout players for...

FULL SPEED AHEAD: Academy senior wing Jaylin McWilliams scored 18 points to help lead the 16th-ranked Bumblebees to a 59-37 win over...

BACK ON THE ATTACK: Playing his first game since Feb. 9, Academy junior point guard Darion Franklin made three consecutive 3-point shots...

GAME-CHANGING PERFORMANCE: Academy senior shooting guard Jerry Cephus made three 3-point baskets and scored all 13 of his points in the...

MAKE YOUR MOVE: Academy junior point guard Darion Franklin (left) tries to drive past Rogers defender Zach Davis as teammates Chris...