FRANKLIN, Mass. — Just hours before tip of Friday’s game between Attleboro and Franklin, an already highly-anticipated matchup got even juicier. The first MIAA power rankings release revealed the two undefeated Hockomock League rivals were ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in Division 1, with Attleboro getting the top spot.
But Franklin coach CJ Neely has been around long enough to know those rankings, right now, don’t really matter.
“The 1-2 thing, that’s going to change 1,000 times,” Neely said.
His Panthers are already motivated enough for games in the league, especially Attleboro. But Neely did recognize that Friday presented a valuable test and opportunity for his group, which has several newcomers.
Consider the test passed. Led by senior Caden Sullivan’s 23 points, Franklin pulled away in the second half with a dominant defensive performance for a convincing 52-37 home victory over Attleboro, which was missing starter LaDainian Rodrigues. The Panthers improved to 9-0 and took over sole possession of first place in the Hockomock League.
“We wanted to test ourselves, and we said this is going to be a great test for what we’re made of this year,” Neely said. “I think we found out who’s ready to go in some big moments and I think it helped build our identity.”
Franklin struggled offensively early, but Neely has built his program on a defensive identity, and while he described his offense as an adventure, they trusted the points would come.
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The Panthers battled back from an early seven-point deficit to trail by one at halftime, and then turned it on in the second half. With the help of full-court pressure and increased physicality, they held the Bombardiers to nine points in the second half, including just two in the fourth quarter, as they ran away with the victory.
Let’s dive into the standouts and takeaways from this one.
Raheim Orleans, Attleboro
Class of 2025, 6-7 forward
Orleans got the starting nod for Attleboro, and his size as the tallest player on the floor was a major difference-maker early. He scored 11 of his team-high 14 points in the first half, which included several putbacks and open looks underneath as the Bombardiers built an early lead, and corralled 12 rebounds, many offensively, with several leading to fouls. Orleans eventually cooled as Franklin clamped down defensively, but his impact was felt.
“He’s come along throughout the course of the year,” Attleboro coach Mark Houle said. “He finishes around the rim. He’s someone who’s going to continue to get better for us.”
Jake Olmstead, Franklin
Class of 2025, 6-2 guard
Olmstead is one of several seniors finally getting their opportunity after waiting their turn for years, and he’s making the most of it. He had 15 points and eight rebounds, including his first 11 in the second quarter that were crucial in helping Franklin get back in the game. He scored in a variety of ways, and knew how to get to his spots efficiently. To close the first half, he missed a shot after making a sweet spin move, but got the rebound and scored. He also scored a jumper on an impressive jump stop in the lane.
Justice Samuels, Franklin
Class of 2026, 6-4 forward
Samuels was limited by foul trouble in the first half, but made a huge impact on both ends in the second half. He scored eight points, but it was his activity and energy that really stood out. One sequence said it all: He stopped an Attleboro transition opportunity with a strong block at the rim, then raced the other way to snatch an offensive rebound. It didn’t lead to points, but Samuels deserves praise for the effort.
Caden Sullivan, Franklin
Class of 2025, 6-0 guard
NCAA: Endicott
Sullivan struggled to get going early, but stayed engaged on defense with steals and deflections before he finally started finding a groove offensively. He was essentially unstoppable driving to the basket with his craftiness. ability to find creases through tight windows and his ability to make tough finishes with both hands through contact. He’s smooth, confident and always in control with the ball. How’s this for a stat: Sullivan scored 13 points in the second half, outscoring the entire Attleboro team by four. He was also extremely effective defensively as part of the full-court press, which netted several backcourt steals. He was one step ahead all night.
Takeaways
1. It’s important to note that Attleboro was without Rodrigues, their 6-foot-3 junior starting guard, due to injury, and that was a big loss. But Houle didn’t want to make excuses. He said there needs to be a next-man-up mentality, and Attleboro simply didn’t have anyone step up, especially in the second half.
“We really struggled offensively tonight,” Houle said. “That’s the first time that I can think of that we struggled to that level, where they really took us out of pretty much everything.”
Houle said his Bombardiers need to learn to play through contact, as Franklin’s physicality really bothered them in the second half. The coach said there’s a valuable learning opportunity from his team’s first loss, and he looks forward to the rematch against Franklin at home on Feb. 7.
“This is a great opportunity for us to get better early in the year,” Houle said.
2. Though Franklin typically doesn’t play a full-court press, Neely elected to use it in an effort to speed Attleboro up and disrupt their offensive sets, which they’re so effective at in the half court. He credited senior guard Wyatt Herndon, who bothered Attleboro’s guards, as the head of Franklin’s defensive turnaround on Friday night.
The unsung hero of the night was senior Drew Geer. The 6-foot-6 forward played on junior varsity last season and hadn’t played a meaningful varsity minute until Friday night, when Neely threw him into the fire to slow down the 6-foot-7 Orleans. It worked. Geer helped take Orleans out of the game in the second half, with strong individual defense, some tough rebounds over him and he even got a couple buckets to his name.
“We kind of looked at Geer (and said) there’s going to be some games where there’s a team that has some size and you can go out and bang around, and this was the night,” Neely said. “He practices as hard as anybody. He gets out there, he grinds and does what he’s supposed to do. I’m so happy for him.”
3. There was some uncertainty with Franklin entering this season because of the significant turnover from last season’s Div. 1 runner-up, but the Panthers look like a contender again. Though they lost a lot of seniors, Neely knew he had several players – including Olmstead, Herndon and Seth O’Donnell – who were good enough to play and even start last season, and now they’re making the most of their opportunities.
“I think there’s a lot of guys who have been waiting for their moment,” Neely said.
