LATHROP — Franklin went on an 11-2 run late in the fourth quarter Monday to pull away from Lathrop on the way to a 71-59 non-league road win in boys basketball action. 
“When we really need to take care of the ball they play hard,” Yellowjackets coach Roderick Cortes said. “I run them like crazy and they are really well conditioned.” 
After his Yellowjackets (2-0) of Stockton closed out the third quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 44-40 lead into the fourth period, they ran their lead to 54-46 before six straight points from Gil Castuera (12 points, nine rebounds) pulled  the Spartans (1-4) within 54-52 with 3:45 left in the game. 
The two teams traded baskets and then Franklin took advantage of some sloppy Lathrop play and went on its big run. 
The turnovers late in the game for the Spartans were a problem throughout the night. They finished with 22 giveaways.
“We had a lot of turnovers,” Spartans coach Craig Ward said. “Turnovers are just killing us right now. Our passing is not proficient, even though we have practiced on all types of passing. It’s just not happening right now. 
“We have had a bad three games in a row. We started out well against Buhach Colony with tenacious defense — we were all over the court on a bigger court. But then we had the Modesto City Tournament on a smaller court and we couldn’t keep our man in front of us, and right here tonight that snowballed on us.”
Up until the end of the game whenever Lathrop needed a boost to close the gap the Spartans turned to Isaiah Victor who led all scorers with 25 points along with 18 rebounds. 
“We kept battling back because that is the type of team we are,” Victor said. “But we weren’t playing defense the way we should so we should not have put ourselves in a position to have to battle back. 
“We weren’t running our offensive sets either but that’s all going to change.” 
Colin Weis added 13 points and five rebounds for Lathrop. 
Diego Morales led Franklin with 12 points.
 
Sophomore
Lathrop 52, Franklin 44 
The Spartans outscored the Yellowjackets 13-7 in the fourth quarter. 
Daniel Whaley led Lathrop with 16 points and Walton Whaley added 10 points. 
 
Freshman
Lathrop 42, Franklin 20
Jaevan Butler had 13 points for the Spartans and Pratik Banwait had eight.