Socorro boys basketball team ends playoff drought with win over Franklin

The Socorro Bulldogs boys basketball team is back in the postseason after a drought that lasted more than two decades.

But that’s ancient history now.

Socorro defeated Franklin in a play-in game Friday night at Bowie High School to book their trip to the 6A state playoffs.

After falling behind 24-17 at the half, the Bulldogs rallied and ended up forcing overtime. In the extra period, they managed to pull away from the Cougars and secure a 58-51 win to keep their season alive and book their trip to the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

The Bulldogs will meet Odessa Permian Tuesday in a bidistrict game.

Franklin and Socorro finished the regular season tied for fourth place in District 1-6A, forcing Friday night’s play-in game.

In another play-in game on Friday, the El Paso boys basketball team beat Bowie 98-97 in a dobule overtime thriller to keep their season alive in 5A.

But El Paso’s work is not done yet. The Tigers will meet Austin at 2 p.m. Saturday, and the winner of that game will advance to the postseason.