Basketball Recap: Addi Bright's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Franklin Community over Roncalli

Franklin Community was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their sixth straight loss. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 59-55 heartbreaker at the hands of the Roncalli Royals. The Grizzly Cubs were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Royals apparently hadn't forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in January of 2024.

Several Grizzly Cubs players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Addi Bright, who posted nine points and five rebounds. The dominant performance also gave Bright a new career-high in assists (three). Another player making a difference was Amelia Richter, who had eight points in addition to five boards and three steals.

Even though they lost, Franklin Community smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in eight consecutive games.

Roncalli found their leader in sophomore Elliot Leffler, who dropped a double-double on 22 points and 11 rebounds. Those 11 boards set a new season-high mark for Leffler. Brennah Cerny was another key player, putting up 12 points along with five assists and five rebounds.

Franklin Community's loss dropped their record down to 6-12. As for Roncalli, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 11-8.

Franklin Community didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 73-44 defeat against Plainfield on the 18th. As for Roncalli, they will head out on the road to square off against New Palestine at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Roncalli knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past three matches -- so hopefully New Palestine likes a good challenge.