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Campo's slick shooting lifts Frankford past Fels

Francisco Campo suspected that he would shoot the ball well Tuesday afternoon at Fels. After all, the Frankford sophomore started his day by hoisting jumpers in the Pioneers' gym at 6:30 a.m. before school started.

Frankford's Fransico Campo shoots a three-pointer against Samuel Fels.
Frankford's Fransico Campo shoots a three-pointer against Samuel Fels.Read more(Steven M. Falk/Staff Photographer)

Francisco Campo suspected that he would shoot the ball well Tuesday afternoon at Fels.

After all, the Frankford sophomore started his day by hoisting jumpers in the Pioneers' gym at 6:30 a.m. before school started.

"I knew something good was coming to me today because I was feeling good all day," said the Colombian-born, 6-foot-4 shooting guard. "This morning when I was shooting the ball, I felt good."

In a physical contest in front of a spirited crowd, Frankford held off Fels, 66-63, in first-round Public League playoff action. The Pioneers will play at King on Thursday in the second round.

Campo led all scorers with 17 points, making 4 of 8 shots from behind the three-point line.

He started the early-morning shooting regimen last season and has continued almost every day. Coach David Huzzard opens the gym for about an hour before school.

"I open up the doors and I shoot with three of the guys just about every day," Huzzard said. "Francisco is a streaky shooter, but I'll tell you, when he's on it's a joy to watch."

Quality shooting may have given the Pioneers (11-10, 6-6) an early advantage, but physicality and defense helped determine the winner.

The teams combined for 57 fouls (25 for Frankford, 32 for Fels) and five players fouled out (three for Frankford, two for Fels).

Frankford shot 24 of 49 (49 percent) from the foul line while Fels shot 19 of 29 (65 percent).

The Pioneers led by 23-6 at the end of the first quarter and by 35-22 at halftime before Fels closed within 60-55 with 2 minutes, 17 seconds left in the fourth.

Matthew McFarlane led Fels (14-7, 9-6) with 16 points and 17 rebounds. Sophomore Allen Betrand, the team's main offensive playmaker, added 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

Although Betrand still penetrated and made plays, Frankford's defense made it difficult enough to earn a playoff victory.

"The defense was really important because [Betrand] is really good," Campo said. "One-on-one, he can beat anybody. We helped each other and talked on defense. We stayed together [and] that's why we got the win."

Frankford 23 12 16 15 - 66

Fels 6 16 20 21 - 63

Frankford: Frankie Okpala 12, Seydou Cisse 10, Anthony Rodriguez 9, Francisco Campo 17, James Wilson 1, Nahmeer East 4, Jermaine Bent 11, Peterson Piere 2.

Fels: J.J. Snead 9, Allen Betrand 15, Derrick Wilson 3, Daniel Turbeville 5, Matt McFarlane 16, Ahmir Boyd 11, Jahmir Bohannan 4.

cartera@phillynews.com

@AceCarterINQ