FHS Brigham player to watch for girls basketball

HockomockSports has published their 2017-2018 girls basketball season preview as well as their 10 players to watch. The Franklin summary is shared here. FHS sophomore Ali Brigham is listed as one of the 10 to watch. The links for the complete Hockomock preview and listing are provided as well.


FRANKLIN
2016-2017 Record: 9-11
2016-2017 Finish: Missed postseason.
Coach: John Leighton

"Franklin got off to a rough start last season, beginning 0-6 with an inexperienced roster, but then closed the year with nine wins in the last 14 games, just missing out on a return to the postseason. This year, the Panthers will try to build on that year of experience and book a return to the playoffs.

The Panthers will have strength in the middle to try and get off to a much better start this season. Sophomore Ali Brigham, last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year, has received several Div. I NCAA offers, including one from the University of Minnesota, and at 6-foot-3 can dominate the paint on both ends of the floor. Franklin will also have outside scoring with junior guard Bea Bondhus, who is a consistent three-point shooter and will stretch defenses to open up the post for Brigham.

Franklin has plenty of size this season. Sophomore forwards Breanna Atwood (5-foot-9) and Megan O’Connell (5-foot-10) and senior forward Kate Morse (5-foot-11) will provide plenty of depth on the inside. Junior Shannon Gray will be back to run the point and senior Grace Sameski will add backcourt depth. Freshman guard Elizabeth Wilson is poised to make an instant impact for the Panthers, as she did in the season opener by knocking down three free throws in the final seconds to force overtime against Holy Name.

“We are a young team with only two seniors, but I am very pleased with the effort and progress of the team,” said Franklin coach John Leighton, who is excited about the return of the majority of the team’s scoring and the potential of the youth on the roster."

Franklin sophomore Ali Brigham (24) and Oliver Ames senior Kayla Raymond (35) will be two of the girls’ basketball Players to Watch in the Hockomock League this winter. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

ALI BRIGHAM, SOPHOMORE – FRANKLIN

With a relatively inexperienced roster, Franklin got off to a tough, 0-6 start during the 2016-2017 season, but the Panthers started to gel, went on a run to close out the year, and narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. One of the keys to that turnaround was the play of then-freshman center Ali Brigham, who displayed a range of moves in the post that belied her inexperience at the varsity level. She finished with 236 points as a freshman. Brigham was also a standout defender, blocking 56 shots as a rookie, and an imposing rebounder, pulling down 237 last year. The reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year is listed at 6-foot-3 this winter and has already been receiving Div. I college offers. She has the potential to be a dominant force in the paint for the Panthers, who are looking to challenge defending champ Mansfield for the Kelley-Rex title this season.

For the complete listing of Hockomock players to watch
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-basketball-players-to-watch-2017-2018/

For the complete Hockomock girls basketball preview
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-2018-hockomock-girls-basketball-preview/

FHS Mahon tabbed as a player to watch for Hockomock basketball

HockomockSports has published their 2017-2018 boys basketball season preview as well as their 10 players to watch. The Franklin summary is shared here. FHS senior Paul Mahon is listed as one of the 10 to watch. The links for the complete Hockomock preview and listing are provided as well.


FRANKLIN
2016-2017 Record: 22-5
2016-2017 Finish: Reached D1 State Final
Coach: CJ Neely

After making it to the Division 1 State Final a year ago, the Panthers are hoping to be just as competitive this season. With three starters back, and a handful of experienced and talented bench players, the expectations for Franklin are certainly high.

Losing Josh Macchi to graduation will hurt, but the Panthers return their best player in senior Paul Mahon, along with two terrific young talents in junior Jalen Samuels and sophomore Chris Edgehill. When playing at his best, Samuels’ athleticism and offensive skills make him one of the toughest marks in the league. Edgehill really turned it on in the tournament and if he can sustain that level of play throughout the regular season, the Panthers will be a favorite for the league title.

Seniors Alex Klowan, Matt Elias, Jack Rodgers and Gavin Farnan all picked up valuable minutes a season ago and will be key pieces for the Panthers, whether its apart of the starting line up for coming off the bench. Having so many experienced players ready to come off the bench should give Franklin the upper hand on a lot of teams.

“Our strength on the offensive end will be in our balance and willingness to share the ball and create great scoring opportunities for the team,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “On defense, we hope to make our opponents uncomfortable at all times and really focus on getting stops as a unit.”

Franklin vs. Mansfield basketball action (HockomockSports photo)

PAUL MAHON, SENIOR – FRANKLIN

Without a doubt, Franklin senior Paul Mahon is one of the hardest working players in the Hockomock League. The effort that he puts in night in and night out if often unmatched. Whether he’s stepping in to take a charge, or harassing ball handlers as they try to dribble up the court, Mahon is among the best at hustle plays. On top of that, he’s become the heart and soul of a talented team. Not only is he a good defensive player, but he can hurt teams on the offensive end of the court. He was the lone junior named to the HockomockSports.com First Team last season after averaging 11.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals a game, and shot 40% from deep. With the emergence of junior Jalen Samuels and sophomore Chris Edgehill, defenses will have a tough time focusing in on just one player.

For the complete listing of Hockomock players to watch
https://hockomocksports.com/boys-basketball-ten-players-to-watch-for-2017-2018/

For the complete Hockomock boys basketball preview
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-2018-hockomock-boys-basketball-preview/

"they put in all that time, and they donated to the town"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When artists from Wheaton College went to the Franklin Sculpture Park earlier this month to finish an art installment they had been working on, they found their entire project dismantled. 

The project, which involved hanging 116 blank, Tyvek-covered books onto branches in the park, was meant to commemorate the donation of books from Benjamin Franklin to the town, marking the first public library in the United States. 

The fishing lines are still visible on many tree branches. Wheaton art professor Kelly Goff confirmed that the lines were cut intentionally, but could not provide further detail, aside from the fact that his class was upset by the occurrence. The books were tied high up on some trees, making the action of cutting them down difficult without being noticed at night when the incident allegedly occurred. Police were unable to respond to comment. 

Linda Kabat, former coordinator at the Franklin Arts Center and manager of the Franklin Sculpture Park, said she was disheartened by the incident. She said the artists often expect damage, but this was not the work of a windy day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171211/franklin-sculpture-park-vandalism-devastating

some of the 100 books hanging from the trees framed Ursus

Related post
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/12/missing-100-sculptures-at-sculpture-park.html

Help Around Town - web service to connect work and helpers

Have you tried this site/service?

"At HelpAroundTown.com we connect people who need help with neighbors seeking local, flexible work opportunities. Get paid or volunteer, get rated and  recommended, build your professional reputation as you earn money and help a local neighbor, business or non-profit. Free to post a job, get jobs and get custom job alerts tailored to your interests and location."

Link directly to the Franklin section:
https://www.helparoundtown.com/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&location=Franklin%2C+MA

https://www.helparoundtown.com/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&location=Franklin%2C+MA

Tip of hat to Ryan Jette for the link

MISSING 100 Sculptures at Sculpture Park

Please help. If you know or saw something at the Sculpture Park from Sunday, Nov 26 through Friday, Dec 1, please call the Franklin Police Dept.




I can confirm the books were hanging from the trees as I took photos of them Sunday morning, Nov 26 on my walk

some of the 100 books hanging from the trees framed Ursus

From the social media radar

From the social media radar, items of interest for Franklin

Watch Sara Ahern @saraeahern being interviewed by John O'Sullivan @The_app_guide https://t.co/NpHFP1nnu3 #edtech #MAedtech pic.twitter.com/b3znwYKT4s

— MassCUE (@masscue) December 9, 2017

The Boston Globe ran a story about a singer who composed a song including every one of the 351 MA communities

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2017/12/05/cities-and-towns-notes-one-ukulele-love-song-state-massachusetts/fKWdbaojRZ3Z8pSnzJ4XUL/story.html






Colleen Donahue posted these photos on Friday from the visit that happened that day. She gave permission via email to share these.

"Today wood carvers from the Franklin Senior Center visited students at the Horace Mann Middle School. The talent is amazing !
The conversation between the generations was priceless.Take a look at some of the photos-you will be amazed"

FHS Duncan, Robbins recognized for Hockomock Soccer Awards

HockomockSports has published the 2017 Hockomock League Soccer Awards. The FHS student athletes selected are shown here. Links to the complete listing are also provided.


HOCKOMOCKSPORTS.COM SECOND XI

Molly Duncan – Franklin – Forward
Franklin senior midfielder Molly Duncan closed out an impressive four-year varsity career with another all-action fall in the center of the pitch for the Panthers and helped Franklin make a return to the state tournament despite a relatively young roster. Duncan scored eight goals and had six assists this year but also provided energy and leadership in the heart of midfield or at forward, her versatility an example for the younger players. Franklin coach Tom Geysen said of Duncan, “She is well skilled, knowledgeable, accomplished and has a very high soccer IQ; she will continue to play at the next level in the fall.”


Cat Robbins – Franklin – Goalie
Franklin senior goalie Cat Robbins closed out her four-year career with a second straight strong season as a starter, holding things together behind a relatively inexperienced Franklin back line. Robbins finished the season with a 1.80 goals against average this season and held six clean sheets, as the Panthers returned to the Div. 1 South tournament. Stepping in after the successful career of Dani Lonati, Robbins has proven to be a solid shot-stopper with the athleticism to make saves in either corner and she is committed to play soccer next year at Plymouth State University.

For the full listing of girls soccer
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/girls-soccer/2017-2/

For the full listing of boys soccer
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-soccer/2017-2/


HockomockSports Editor’s Note: The HockomockSports.com Awards are selected strictly by our staff and have no affiliation to the official Hockomock League all stars. Please note players are listed by position.

FHS Panthers