The Avon Orioles were the 57-50 winner over the Franklin Central Flashes when they last played one another back in January of 2023, but their luck changed this time around. Avon fell 57-47 to Franklin Central on Friday. While losing is never fun, Avon can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 96th, while Franklin Central is ranked 32nd).
Avon's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Aniah Smith, who scored 17 points along with seven rebounds and three steals, and Makaylee Butts who scored ten points along with five rebounds and two steals. Smith is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last seven games she's played. Nevaeh Wren was another key contributor, scoring ten points along with five rebounds.
Avon struggled to work together and finished the game with only three assists. That's the fewest assists they've managed all season.
Franklin Central found their leader in underclassman Payton Duvall, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 18 rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Duvall has scored all season. Another player making a difference was Lily Graves, who scored 16 points along with nine rebounds.
Avon now has a losing record at 8-9. As for Franklin Central, the win (which was their sixth in a row) raised their record to 9-7.
Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Avon will take on Upper Arlington at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Upper Arlington is looking to tack on another W to their five-game streak on the road. Franklin Central won't have much time to rest: their next contest is against Greenfield-Central at 7:30 p.m. on January 13th. Greenfield-Central has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.
