The Fishers (IN) varsity basketball team will host a conference game against Franklin Central (Indianapolis, IN) on Friday, January 31 at 7:15 p.m.

Fishers vs Franklin Central Game Info:

What: Indiana High School Basketball
Who: Fishers (IN) vs Franklin Central (IN)
When: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Fishers vs Franklin Central

As we delve into the 2024-2025 basketball season, the contrasting performances of Franklin Central and Fishers illustrate two very different team trajectories. One team struggles to find its footing, while the other remains unbeaten, dominating its competition in every aspect of the game. Let’s take a closer look at these two teams through a comparison of their records, statistics, and notable performances.

Overall Record and Performance

• Franklin Central has had a challenging season so far, with an overall record of 6-9, struggling both at home (5-5) and away (1-4). The team has yet to win a conference game, sitting at 0-3 in the league.
• Fishers, on the other hand, has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting a perfect 16-0 record, with a perfect 4-0 record in the conference. Their dominance has been displayed across all settings, whether at home (7-0), away (4-0), or neutral courts (5-0).

Scoring and Statistical Averages

The differences in offensive output are stark:

• Franklin Central averages 49.1 points per game, with a steady increase in scoring through the quarters: 9.5 in Q1, 11.7 in Q2, 10.8 in Q3, and 14.3 in Q4. While they show improvement throughout the game, the scoring isn’t enough to keep pace with their opponents.
• Fishers, with their 74.6 points per game average, dwarfs Franklin Central’s offensive output. Their offensive dominance is evident from the get-go, averaging 18.7 in Q1, 20.0 in Q2, 19.3 in Q3, and 15.8 in Q4. They control the pace and intensity from the start.

When it comes to rebounds, Fishers also has the edge:

• Franklin Central grabs an average of 20.5 rebounds per game, while Fishers pulls down 25.4.

In assists, Fishers again leads with 21.1 assists per game, almost double Franklin Central’s 10.7.

Individual Player Performances

• Franklin Central’s top performer is Ej Hazelett, who leads the team with 11.0 points per game, contributing 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Despite his efforts, the team has struggled to turn individual brilliance into wins.
• Fishers is led by Jason Gardner, who averages a team-high 16.1 points per game. His strong play is complemented by teammates like Cooper Zachary, who contributes 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals, and Jonanthony Hall, who adds 4.7 rebounds.

Defensive Breakdown

Fishers’ defense has been just as dominant as their offense, averaging 9.6 steals per game and 3.3 blocks per game, significantly more than Franklin Central’s 6.0 steals and 1.5 blocks. This defensive prowess allows Fishers to stifle their opponents’ offensive opportunities, further enhancing their already high-scoring offense.

Common Opponents

One of the most telling comparisons comes from their records against common opponents:

• Franklin Central has a 1-5 record against these teams, only securing a win against Center Grove (63-56) while suffering losses to Brownsburg, Ben Davis, Zionsville, Lawrence North, and Noblesville.
• Fishers, conversely, has remained unbeaten against common opponents, holding a perfect 6-0 record. This includes commanding victories over teams like Brownsburg (77-60), Ben Davis (71-36), and Noblesville (74-40).

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, both teams have important games ahead. For Franklin Central, the challenge will be finding consistency and turning close losses into victories. With matchups against teams like Hamilton Southeastern and Greenfield-Central, Franklin Central will need to improve its offensive output and tighten its defense.

Fishers, with their unbeaten record, continues to pursue perfection, with games against strong opponents like Zionsville and Westfield on the horizon. The team will look to maintain its flawless record and keep the momentum going into the postseason.

Conclusion

The story of Franklin Central and Fishers in the 2024-2025 season serves as a stark contrast. While Franklin Central battles through a tough season, Fishers has set the standard for excellence, both offensively and defensively. As the season unfolds, both teams will be aiming for different goals: Franklin Central fighting to regain its form and Fishers striving for an undefeated season.