The Franklin High School cheerleading and boys basketball teams were both recognized for winning state championship titles during an honorary visit to the State House on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)
FRANKLIN — Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Athletic Director Karrah Ellis are proud to share that the Franklin High School cheerleading and boys basketball teams were both recognized for their championship victories during an honorary visit to the State House on Wednesday, April 30.
The two teams were guests of state Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, of Franklin, and state Sen. Rebecca L. Rausch, of Needham.
Both teams won their respective Division 1 state championships for the winter 2025 season.
The basketball team was recognized for their Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 1 Boys’ Basketball State Championship, while the cheer team was recognized for their Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) Division 1 State Championship.
For the Franklin High School cheerleading team, it was the fifth state championship in a row and the second state championship won this school year, after the cheerleaders also won the state championship for the fall season. The cheerleading team’s graduating seniors finished their high school careers having won seven out of their last eight state championship competitions.
In addition to the MSAA Division 1 Championship, the Franklin High cheerleading team earned the title of Hockomock League Champions this season and won its Regional Championship.
The cheerleading team also won the title of 2025 Grand Champions at the Americheer International Competition, coming in first place for their category and scoring the highest score of the competition.
The basketball team went 27-1 overall this season. The team then went 5-0 in the state tournament, beating Shrewsbury, North Andover, Bridgewater Raynham, and Central Catholic, before winning the MIAA Division 1 championship final, defeating Newton North 55-52.
For Franklin High Basketball, this marked a back-to-back state finals appearance. This was only the second time that this happened in team history, following the team’s success in 2017 and 2018.
And for the second year in a row, the Franklin High boys basketball team went undefeated in its 16 games of league play, resulting in the team being ranked No. 1 overall heading into the state tournament. The Franklin High boys basketball team was the first team in the league to accomplish this feat in 50 years.
The Franklin High School Cheerleading roster included seniors Keira Owens (captain), Ceci Pineda (captain), Lea Exposito (captain), Emma Rondeau (captain), Kat Rosenberg, and Taylor Briggs; juniors Cassidy Stanley, Aeriel Orrell, Emily Bartlett, Lilah Wainwright; and sophomores Ashley Rickey and Aria Nicholson. The cheerleading team was led by Coach Doni Gill, and the team received direction from choreographer Eric Bichao.
The championship Franklin boys basketball team roster included seniors Caden Sullivan (captain), Seth O’Donnell (captain), Joseph Conlan, Wyatt Herndon, Zach Allen, Flynn Baker, Andrew Geer, Jake Olmstead and Colin O’Leary; juniors Jack Sullivan, Justice Samuels, James Crowley; sophomore Nas Johnson; and freshman Danny Santos. The Franklin basketball team was led by Head Coach CJ Neely, and the coaching staff also included Mike Doherty, Ryan Perron, Chuck Allen, Tim Rodgers, Connor Moroney, Matt Coooper and Rob Mosher.
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Athletic Director Karrah Ellis both congratulated the teams for the State House recognition, capping off an extraordinary year of success on the basketball court and the cheerleading mat.
“The State House trip was a fitting way to celebrate these two teams and recognize them for their tremendous success this school year,” said Director Ellis. “I’m so proud of these hard-working, dedicated athletes. This was truly an incredible year for our Franklin High School boys basketball and cheerleading teams.”
“Congratulations once again to our state champion Franklin High School boys basketball and cheerleading teams,” said Superintendent Giguere. “This was a remarkable year for both of them. We are very proud of all of their success. I’d like to thank state Rep. Roy and state Sen Rausch for facilitating this special day of recognition for our championship-winning student athletes.”
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The state champion Franklin High School cheerleading and boys basketball teams were guests of state Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, of Franklin, and state Sen. Rebecca L. Rausch, of Needham. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)
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