Basketball Recap: Franklin Community Takes a Loss

Franklin Community was the 53-46 winner over Columbus East when they last played one another back in December of 2023, but their luck changed this time around. The Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs took a 64-50 bruising from the Columbus East Olympians on Saturday. While losing is never fun, the Grizzly Cubs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 129th, while the Olympians are ranked 11th).

When it comes to explaining why Franklin Community lost, don't look at Kolt Nelson. Despite the final result, he dropped a double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds. Nelson is trending in the right direction considering he's improved his point production for three straight games. Tony Barnes was another key player, putting up eight points.

Grizzly Cubs

Offensive Rebounds (Career)

12/14/24 vs Columbus East	17
03/09/24 vs Center Grove	14
12/09/23 @ Columbus East	12
12/16/23 @ Bloomington North	12
11/21/23 vs Indian Creek	11

Even though they lost, Franklin Community smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive boards they've posted since the start of last season.

It was another big night for Keaton Lawson, who dropped a double-double on 24 points and ten boards for Columbus East. Lawson's evening made it five games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Danny Coriden, who posted 16 points.

Franklin Community now has a losing record at 3-4. As for Columbus East, the win keeps them at an undefeated 5-0.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Franklin Community will head out to face off against Beech Grove at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Beech Grove knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past four contests -- so hopefully Franklin Community likes a good challenge. As for Columbus East, they will venture away from home to take on Columbus North at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Columbus East is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 68.2 points per game this season.