The Franklin High School Black Knight Marching Band brought high school spirit to a Division I stage Thursday, performing as the pep band for the Rhode Island Rams during their second-round matchup against the Duquesne Dukes at the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Pittsburgh.

The Franklin students provided the live energy typically supplied by a university pep band, performing throughout the 5 p.m. game at PPG Paints Arena and adding a strong local presence as the tournament returned to the city for the first time since 2017.

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