<p>Basketball players who refer to their coach as “Dad” away from the court tend to feature certain inherited characteristics on it.</p><p>Franklin guard Damon Dickey, whose decision-making, accurate free throw shooting, attention to detail and leadership are of great benefit to the Grizzly Cubs, is one such example.</p><p>A 6-foot-1 senior, Dickey is expected to take on more responsibility after the graduation of four-year starter and 1,000-point career scorer Drew Byerly, who accounted for more than one-third of Franklin’s points a year ago.</p><p>The Grizzly Cubs finished with a 10-11 record.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>“Damon is playing very well,” coach Brad Dickey said. “He’s shooting the ball well, handling the ball well and is just helpful as a coach on the floor. The youthful kids around him are complementing his leadership well.”</p><p>Damon Dickey was the team’s second-leading scorer last season at 9.1 points per game; he led Franklin in steals (1.7) and was second to Byerly in assists (2.0). Feeding the ball inside should again net positive results with the return of 6-2 sophomore forward John Shepard (5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds) and 6-3 junior post Thomas Crow.</p><p>Senior guards Max Lancer and Will McLaughlin team with Damon Dickey to comprise an experienced backcourt. Juniors Carson Hunter, a guard, and swingman Jumpshot Warner are expected to increase their productivity both offensively and defensively as well.</p><p>A state finalist in golf as a sophomore, Damon Dickey, who recently signed a national letter of intent to play the sport at Butler, knows a thing or two about the importance of ball placement.</p><p>He’s confident the basketball team he’s helping to lead will do just fine in that department.</p><p>“It’s tough to replace a guy like Drew, but John Shepard and Jumpshot Warner, they’re doing great this year, and so is Thomas Crow,” Damon Dickey said. “And Carson Hunter is going to be a really good player for us. I’m excited for this year. I think we can sneak up on a lot of teams.”</p><p>The Grizzly Cubs start the season with four of their first five games on the road. Those opponents combined to go 76-44 during the 2019-20 season, with Greenwood and Beech Grove claiming sectional championships.</p><p>Coach Dickey likes the effort and chemistry of his latest squad.</p><p>“We’ve got a lot of spirit and the scrimmages have been real good,” said Brad Dickey, who is averaging 14 victories over his six years at Franklin. “Our kids have progressed very well, and the whole group has worked on their skills that will contribute to successful play.</p><p>“We have very supportive kids, and will score buckets any way we can.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="3 points with Thomas Crow" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>1. Which nonconference opponent are you most looking forward to facing?</strong></p><p>Probably Seymour. They have such a historic gym and there are bunch of legends who have played there. There are different levels to it and it makes you feel like you’re 1,000 percent the center of attention.</p><p><strong>2. Which unknown player on this team will become a household name this winter?</strong></p><p>One guy that kind of stands out as one of the hardest workers is Carson Hunter. He’s one of our quicker guys and smarter basketball players.</p><p><strong>3. Given the ongoing pandemic, how concerned are you about the season being interrupted in some way?</strong></p><p>You always have to worry about it, but we’re going to keep playing as hard as we can and hope nothing happens. It’s definitely in the back of my mind, but we just do our best not to let it faze us.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Scouting the Grizzly Cubs" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Head coach: Brad Dickey</p><p>Last season: 10-11, lost to Center Grove in semifinal of Class 4A sectional.</p><p>Top returnees: Damon Dickey, Max Lancer and Will McLaughlin, seniors; Thomas Crow, Carson Hunter and Jumpshot Warner, juniors; John Shepard, sophomore.</p><p>Key newcomers: Dylan Beverly, Max Clark and Drew Doty, sophomores.</p><p>Outlook: Even with Byerly on the roster, the 54.5 points a game the Grizzly Cubs averaged last season were the lowest in Dickey’s first six years as Franklin’s coach. Frontcourt players Crow and Shepard are expected to make big jumps statistically, while Lancer and Warner are projected to be the other starters when the Cubs open the season at Indian Creek.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
