Basketball Recap: Jayce Nielson's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Franklin Community over Shelbyville

Franklin Community fought the good fight in their overtime game against Shelbyville on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They took a 63-58 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Shelbyville Golden Bears. The Grizzly Cubs just can't catch a break and have now endured four defeats in a row.

Jayce Nielson

Points

01/21/25 vs Shelbyville	24
01/14/25 vs Whiteland	22
01/09/25 @ Mooresville	18

Franklin Community's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jayce Nielson, who went 11 for 17 on his way to 24 points. The match was Nielson's third in a row with at least ten points. Kolt Nelson was another key player, dropping a double-double on 15 points and 11 boards.

Shelbyville got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Caden Claxton out in front who went 6 of 11 en route to 17 points along with seven assists and five rebounds. Those seven assists gave Claxton a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mar Nicholson, who went 5 for 11 on his way to 11 points in addition to five assists and three steals.

Franklin Community's defeat dropped their record down to 4-8. As for Shelbyville, they pushed their record up to 13-3 with the win, which was their fifth straight on the road.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Franklin Community will venture away from home to challenge Whiteland at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Franklin Community is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 51.3 points per game this season. As for Shelbyville, they will head out on the road to face off against Greenfield-Central at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.