High School Spotlight: Franklin Central Flashers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High School Spotlight Series is back and we are excited to feature multiple teams throughout the state once again! The season is still a month away, but with practices happening, it is the perfect time to start previewing the season. In this series, we will be taking a look at some quick hitters, the top player(s), a potential breakout player, other roster members, and notable games for the upcoming season. For today's spotlight, we take a look at the Franklin Central Flashers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quick Hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Went 11-14 last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lost to Indianapolis Roncalli in Sectionals.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Head Coach Kyle Ballard returns for his 2nd season as the head coach. 11-14 overall record.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Should compete in Sectional 12.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='E.J.' last='Hazelett']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nijah-jewell/"></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pretty easy to select a top player for Franklin Central when they have one of the top overall 2026 prospects in the state on their roster, that being [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='E.J.' last='Hazelett']. The 6'7 wing brings back the most production out of any returning player from a season ago with 16.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game as a sophomore. The left-handed prospect is coming off a really good summer for [program_tooltip program_id='2076927' first='Indy' last='Heat'] which got some schools taking notice of this talented forward. He did tear his meniscus awhile back but is projected to come back around December. Once he returns, he will automatically be the guy for the Flashers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Breakout Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2485672' first='Darius' last='Helm']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremiah-bellamy/"></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Hazelett takes a little more time to recover from his injury, the guy that will be showcased for the Flashers at the start of the season will be 6'6 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2485672' first='Darius' last='Helm']. Helm brings back 7.3 points and a team-leading 5.7 rebounds per game last season being the second guy leading producer that will be returning for the Flashers. Helm is also a left-handed prospect that is consistent around the paint on both ends and can stretch the floor out a little bit as well. Good amount of upside in this senior post player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Key Roster Members</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2622080' first='Jayce' last='Brewer'] - Sophomore</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2622077' first='Raymond' last='Hayes'] - Sophomore </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dante Edwards - Senior </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Carson Back - Senior</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Elijah Thompson - Senior </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Games</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Lawrence Central (12/3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs Bloomington North (12/14)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at New Palestine (12/21)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>vs Noblesville (1/24)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>at Greenfield-Central (2/11)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->