Franklin Boys Basketball in a Rebuilding Year

Franklin Boys Basketball is showing strength this year, despite graduating six of its top eight players last year. Photo submitted by FHS Coach CJ Neely
By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer
Last season, Franklin put together an impressive season, making it all the way to the Division 1 State Championship game, but just not nailing down that final win. Entering the tournament as the number 3 seed after going 21-1 during the regular season, the Panthers took out Bridgewater Raynham by 21 points, Boston College (17), Putnam Voc. Tech (26) and Catholic Memorial (14) to gain access to the championship game against number 1 seed North High.
Although Franklin raced through its four tournament opponents by an average of 19.5 points per win, the Panthers could not solve North High and fell in the Division 1 Finals 59-53 coming up just short.
Putting together an overall 25-2 season was something special for the Panther basketball team; the squad graduated six of its top eight players from that team, including the Hockomock League MVP Sean O’Leary, leaving coach CJ Neely unsure of what this year would bring to the court.
“Coming into the season, I really didn’t know what to expect after losing so much,” Neely said. “There are a lot of question marks, and we are taking it one day at a time while trying to be in the mix and playing competitive basketball.”
The only returning starter from last year’s magical run is Caden Sullivan. The senior guard is a jack of all trades according to the coach; he is not only a great leader but can score and play shut down defense.
“Caden has a crazy motor, he’s super intensive and usually guards the opposition’s best player,” the Panther Coach said. “Last year, he was part of a balanced attack, so he didn’t have to score as much, but this year he has picked up the slack.”
Being one of four Hockomock All-Stars for Franklin last winter, Sullivan has been averaging 22 points and 8 rebounds through the first half of the season.
In addition to Sullivan, junior Justice Samuels, who came off the bench last year for Franklin is back this winter. The forward will be starting this season and has provided the Panthers with a really solid defensive presence, giving the team rim protection on the back end. Offensively, he’s a slasher who glides into the paint aggressively, averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds thus far this year.
Jake Olmstead will run the Franklin offense as the team’s point guard, and in addition to distributing the ball, he is able to create a lot of havoc on the defense side of the ball. Olmstead is physical on the drive to the net and can also knock down a three when needed.
According to Neely, Olmstead has been the second-best player on the team this year and could have been a potential starter last year if not for injury problems.
“After he got hurt, it made it hard for him to crack the rotation with all the talent in front of him,” the Coach said. “If he stays healthy this year, I expect good things from him on both ends of the court.”
Senior Joe Cronin, who led his team in scoring during his freshman and sophomore seasons, will give the team a big-time scorer this season. The wing shoots the three well and is a top-notch free throw shooter.
Captain Seth O’Donnell is not the big-time scorer that Cronin is, but he does all the little things right that do not show up on the stat sheet at the end of the game.
“He does a lot of the dirty work for us,” Neely said. “He’s not a highlight reel, but he is the glue that keeps this team together. He moves the ball well and will give you everything you need to succeed while he’s out there.”
The sixth starter or first player off the bench is Wyatt Herdon. Neely noted that Herdon is a lock down defender who gives the opposing guards fits and makes their lives miserable. Herdon can also hit the open shot, can pass the ball with the best of them and play point guard when Olmstead needs a breather.
Franklin also has four or five other players that, depending on the night and the team they are playing, could see some action. Neely calls it ‘Bench by Committee’ with all of them being able to give the team a boost when given the chance.
Upon entering the season, the Panther goals were the same as they were prior to the beginning of last season. Franklin always comes into the season with high standards, and once again they will be looking to capture the league championship, being in the mix and playing competitive hoop.
“As a coach, I never relax and am always looking for more, but I am excited so far with what we’ve been able to do over the first half of this season,” Neely said. “The guys have done a great job effort wise improving each day and seem to be getting more comfortable with their roles.”
At the time of this writing, the Panthers were undefeated, posting a 9-0 record though the first half of the season, and although the squad has been playing good basketball, Neely firmly believes that the best is still to come.