It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Lotz House in Franklin, IN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Franklin, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Youngs Creek Park in Franklin, IN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Red Pony or visit Carnton, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Franklin, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Franklin, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Franklin, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Hokies' Franklin on fans for Pitt game Play Video Robyn Schon outlines Berglund Center's 2026-27 lineup Hokies' Franklin on Pitt defense Hokies' Copeland on how this season's team handles adversity PH-Salem Highlights Hokies' Franklin on loss to Pitt and moving on to Cal It's Go Time for the Sixers... Prefer us on Google Learn More Virginia Tech coach James Franklin discusses the fan support in Friday night's game against Pittsburgh.Sports report...
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Virginia Tech coach James Franklin discusses the fan support in Friday night's game against Pittsburgh.
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Virginia Tech is slated to appear on the ACC Network for the third time this season on Saturday.
Virginia Tech’s Homecoming game will be on a network that fans have become familiar with tuning into this season.
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Check out the latest Real Estate Property Transfers for Franklin in Williamson County for September 14-18, 2026, to see which homes and properties changed hands and what they sold for.To learn more about buying or selling a home, contact Susan Gregory Realty. View previous property transfers here. PriceSubdivisionAddressCityZipcode $6,720,0002079 Old Hillsboro RdFranklin37064 $4,000,000...
Check out the latest Real Estate Property Transfers for Franklin in Williamson County for September 14-18, 2026, to see which homes and properties changed hands and what they sold for.
To learn more about buying or selling a home, contact Susan Gregory Realty. View previous property transfers here.
| Price | Subdivision | Address | City | Zipcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,720,000 | 2079 Old Hillsboro Rd | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $4,000,000 | 786 High Point Ridge Rd | Franklin | 37069 | |
| $1,550,000 | Highlands @ Ladd Park Sec19 Pb 64 Pg 70 | 248 Rich Cir | Franklin | 37064 |
| $950,000 | Battlewood Est Sec 1 | 109 Gen J B Hood Dr | Franklin | 37069 |
| $1,430,000 | Keystone Sec 1 Pb 27 Pg 10 | 1608 Masters Ct | Franklin | 37064 |
| $4,500,000 | St Marlo Sec1 Pb 78 Pg 98 | 5603 Winslet Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,060,000 | Hurstbourne Park Sec 1 Pb 48 Pg 100 | 217 Terri Park Way | Franklin | 37067 |
| $3,030,000 | Westhaven Sec 27 Pb 59 Pg 117 | 1538 Championship Blvd | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,171,000 | Temple Hills Sec 14 Pb 30 Pg 66 | 125 Temple Crest Trl | Franklin | 37069 |
| $2,850,000 | Bonterra Pb 79 Pg 149 | 7201 Bonterra Ct | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,360,000 | Starnes Creek Sec3 Pb 82 Pg 150 | 7428 Leelee Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,050,000 | Ivy Glen Sec 3 Pb 25 Pg 2 | 4060 Oxford Glen Dr | Franklin | 37067 |
| $675,000 | Mckays Mill Sec 7 Pb 30 Pg 94 | 1230 Limerick Ln | Franklin | 37067 |
| $575,000 | 150front Condos | 150 Front St 23 | Franklin | 37064 |
| $915,000 | Bushnell Farm Pb 71 Pg 12 | 2060 Bushnell Farm Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $775,000 | Morningside Sec 4 Pb 29 Pg 30 | 8091 Sunrise Cir | Franklin | 37067 |
| $4,563,355 | 501 Murfreesboro Rd | 501 Murfreesboro Rd | Franklin | 37064 |
| $885,000 | Highlands @ Ladd Park Sec 9 Pb 56 Pg 118 | 375 Irvine Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $800,000 | Ashton Park Sec 1 Pb 31 Pg 88 | 522 Eden Park Dr | Franklin | 37067 |
| $1,085,000 | Carlisle Sec 1 Pb 33 Pg 20 | 1200 Vintage Grove Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,550,000 | Natures Landing Pb 68 Pg 141 | 4001 Natures Landing Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,580,000 | 4409 Gosey Hill Rd | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $3,000,000 | Grey Barn Farms Pb 83 Pg 94 | 3710 Grey Barn Pvt Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $699,900 | Temple Hills Sec 9 Pb 9 Pg 123 | 200 Bramley Pl | Franklin | 37069 |
| $1,320,000 | Pirrera Randall & Kim Pb 40 Pg 96 | 3378 Sweeney Hollow Rd | Franklin | 37064 |
| $4,000,000 | Butters Pb 59 Pg 49 | 4472 S Carothers Rd | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,799,900 | Cool Springs East Sec 30 Pb 33 Pg 93 | 331 Haddon Ct | Franklin | 37067 |
| $2,143,000 | Ivan Creek Pb 50 Pg 89 | 4621 Nadine Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $795,200 | Moores Landing Sec 1 Pb 38 Pg 24 | 119 Spring Cabin Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,460,000 | St Marlo Sec1 Pb 78 Pg 98 | 6129 St Marlo Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,267,500 | Highland View Ph 1 Pb 13 Pg 132 | 1074 Highland Rd | Franklin | 37069 |
| $2,100,000 | Wyelea Farms Sec1 Pb 85 Pg 123 | 3410 Overhill Gardens Pvt | Franklin | 37069 |
| $520,000 | 504 Autumn Springs Court Pb 1941 Pg 250 | 504 Autumn Springs Ct #d29 | Franklin | 37067 |
| $319,900 | Hardison Hills Sec 1 Pb 33 Pg 25 | 1101 Downs Blvd #d-102 | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,451,000 | Liberty Pk | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $349,000 | Liberty Pk | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $200,000 | 804 -A Liberty Pk | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $1,050,000 | Willowsprings Sec 1 Pb 31 Pg 76 | 739 Willowsprings Blvd | Franklin | 37064 |
| $200,000 | 806 Liberty Pk | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $1,138,325 | Poplar Farms Sec4 Pb 88 Pg 43 | 107 Banff Ct | Franklin | 37067 |
| $2,480,000 | Dyar Pb 70 Pg 126 | 2496 Old Natchez Tr | Franklin | 37069 |
| $2,900,000 | 1496 Coleman Rd | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $950,000 | Rizer Point Sec4 Pb 62 Pg 39 | 1003 Reese Dr | Franklin | 37069 |
| $860,000 | Redwing Meadows Sec 5 Pb 73 Pg 94 | 1363 Caroline Cir | Franklin | 37064 |
| $3,100,000 | Andrews Wahl | 1572 Old Hillsboro Rd | Franklin | 37069 |
| $559,200 | Morton Pb 77 Pg 58 | 207 Fairground St 102 | Franklin | 37064 |
| $823,780 | Poplar Farms Sec3 Pb 84 Pg 125 | 2042 Poplar Farms Dr | Franklin | 37067 |
| $566,000 | Liberty Hills Sec 5 Pb 21 Pg 42 | 1024 N Clubhouse Ct | Franklin | 37067 |
| $2,100,000 | 1460 Coleman Rd | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $579,000 | Boyd Mill Est Sec 1 Pb 6 Pg 103 | 1702 Twin Oaks Ct | Franklin | 37064 |
| $680,000 | Buckingham Park Sec 5 Pb 20 Pg 134 | 605 Prince Charles Way | Franklin | 37064 |
| $885,000 | Stream Valley Sec7 Pb 60 Pg 44 | 4011 Mossy Rock Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $700,000 | 5308 Waddell Hollow Rd | Franklin | 37064 | |
| $725,000 | Magnolia Place Pb 7 Pg 7 | 509 A-B Alexander Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $2,735,644 | Bonterra Pb 79 Pg 149 | 7113 Bonterra Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $887,000 | Fieldstone Farms Sec Q-4 Pb 25 Pg 7 | 609 Black Horse Pkwy | Franklin | 37069 |
| $559,999 | Avondale Cottages Pb 70 Pg 128 | 207 Ribbon Ln | Franklin | 37064 |
| $1,900,000 | Cool Springs East Sec 13 Pb 31 Pg 21 | 221 Waterbury Cir | Franklin | 37067 |
| $720,000 | Mckays Mill Sec 25 Pb 38 Pg 30 | 1026 Dunrobin Dr | Franklin | 37067 |
| $446,500 | Simmons Ridge Sec10 Pb 75 Pg 113 | 7085 Gracious Dr | Franklin | 37064 |
| $760,050 | Poplar Farms Sec3 Pb 84 Pg 125 | 2030 Poplar Farms Dr | Franklin | 37067 |
Entering Wednesday’s (Sept. 30) non-league road showdown against Franklin, the Winchester High girls volleyball team were a perfect 9-0. However, the Panthers spoiled its plan of an undefeated season.Both Division 1 teams now have identical 9-1 records, something any coach would sign up for at the beginning of the season.The Red & Black’s latest triumphs were 3-1 victories over host Brookline (Sept. 23) and visiting Needham (Sept. 25), and a 3-0 shutout at Watertown on Sept. 28.Coach John Fleming was able...
Entering Wednesday’s (Sept. 30) non-league road showdown against Franklin, the Winchester High girls volleyball team were a perfect 9-0. However, the Panthers spoiled its plan of an undefeated season.
Both Division 1 teams now have identical 9-1 records, something any coach would sign up for at the beginning of the season.
The Red & Black’s latest triumphs were 3-1 victories over host Brookline (Sept. 23) and visiting Needham (Sept. 25), and a 3-0 shutout at Watertown on Sept. 28.
Coach John Fleming was able to get all of his 16 healthy players into the match against Watertown to give some of them more varsity experience, while also extending the winning streak to nine at the same time.
“Watertown is an improved program, but our serving was too much for them,” said Fleming. “We had 24 aces as a team, and only three service errors. Senior captain Bella Comes led the way with six aces. Sophomore Milena Sakadzic, senior Viviana Cella and senior captain Maddie Crooks had three each.”
Fleming also mentioned sophomore Erica Jung had “a good hitting match off the bench” against the Raiders.
The Winchester girls got off to a slow start against Needham.
“We were hoping for and never really found our way early on in this match,” Fleming said. “But eventually, we settled in, especially in (receiving serves).”
Fleming went on to say, “Needham is a very good team that serves very (well), while being an incredibly scrappy (bunch), which keeps on scrambling to get anything that was shanked on the first touch.”
The Red & Black knew that Needham would be fired up to play them after they eliminated the Rockets in last year’s state tournament. There was a great crowd on hand in the new WHS gym to witness the team’s eighth win of the season on Youth Volleyball Night.
“It felt like a tournament-type matchup,” Fleming said.
Brookline had that same type of intensity and atmosphere.
“We struggled against our serve in the first set, and then we were able to open up a lead,” said Fleming. “In the second set, we struggled with their strong servers, and they were able to hold us off. But I was really pleased with the way the team responded in the third set to win it going away.”
It was a back-and-forth battle in the fourth set.
“After getting blocked by their right-side hitter, Hazel (Lovins) got a block in response. Moments later, Maddie (Crooks) also had a huge block that went off a Brookline player's back, which secured a point,” added Fleming. “They had a big crowd there in Brookline, and it certainly felt like a tournament game. Maggie (Angevine) and Izzy (Borrman) did a nice job stepping up and making some critical plays late in the match.”
The Winchester girls will now look to rebound from the Franklin loss, when they face host Reading on Friday, Oct. 2, at 5:45 p.m. They will then return home next week to take on Burlington (Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m.) and non-league Oliver Ames (Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m.).
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He has been covering Winchester sports for the News since November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at [email protected].
(The story was updated with a photo gallery at 12:10 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2026.)Whiteland helped launch sectional play late Tuesday afternoon with its sparkling won-loss record, a top 20 ranking and everything to lose.Remaining poised, the 19th-ranked Warriors blanked upset-minded Franklin, 5-0, in the opener at the Center Grove Sectional to up its season slate to 21-2 and advance to Wednesday’s semifinal match against Indian Creek (5-10).The day’s other semi features No. 3 Center Grove (17-2) taking on Greenwood ...
(The story was updated with a photo gallery at 12:10 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2026.)
Whiteland helped launch sectional play late Tuesday afternoon with its sparkling won-loss record, a top 20 ranking and everything to lose.
Remaining poised, the 19th-ranked Warriors blanked upset-minded Franklin, 5-0, in the opener at the Center Grove Sectional to up its season slate to 21-2 and advance to Wednesday’s semifinal match against Indian Creek (5-10).
The day’s other semi features No. 3 Center Grove (17-2) taking on Greenwood (12-8).
Whiteland coach Mike Gillespie, whose squad scored a 7-0 decision over Franklin during the regular season, liked the focus his players demonstrated in the rematch.
“I thought we came out really well across the board,” Gillespie said. “But, Franklin, they’re very crafty. They get to a lot of balls, and they put a lot of balls in, so they force you to beat them.
“Not to take anything away from Franklin, but when we played them last time, most of the boys were disappointed in how they played. I think that’s probably why we came out so well, but, again, Franklin just kind of hangs around.”
Whiteland senior A.J. Stephenson got his team off to a good start with a 6-1, 6-2 decision over the Grizzly Cubs’ Oliver Wiltz at No. 1 singles. Warriors’ sophomore Grady Gillespie nearly duplicated the score at the second singles spot, downing Corbin Booth, 6-1, 6-3.
“(Wiltz) came with a better energy. I will say he came out stronger than he did when we played in the regular season, so that made it a little tougher on me,” Stephenson said. “But I ended up getting it done.”
Whiteland went on to capture both doubles matches.
The No. 1 duo of Devin Powell and Tysen McGary handed the Cubs’ Carsten Bland and David Strait a 6-3, 6-1 loss. The Warriors’ second pairing of Gavin Ricke and Ty Chudyk defeated Franklin’s Kail Zulkowski and Vincent Flowers, 6-3, 6-2.
The Cubs came close to averting the shutout with No. 3 singles player Caleb Shoup dropping a close one against the Warriors’ Michael Buttler. The players spilt the first two sets with Buttler hanging on in the tiebreaker, 10-7, in the longest-lasting of the five matches.
“It’s more of an important match, so we’re kind of more nervous,” Grady Gillespie said. “It’s a lot bigger than it was during the regular season.”
Nothing is promised in the postseason, which is why Whiteland and Center Grove aren’t necessarily shoo-ins for Thursday’s championship match.
Stephenson knows this, but is confident he and his teammates will remain focused no matter the opponent.
“We just come out with so much energy. We come out ready to play,” he said. “We’re not scared of anybody. Today, we came out with the mindset that we just want to get ready to play Indian Creek and, hopefully, play Center Grove on Thursday. We just try to get ready for the next match.”
It doesn’t take Armaan Franklin long to pick out the highlight of his time in Charlottesville.“Probably my senior year. It was a lot of winning, a lot of camaraderie,” said Franklin, who played basketball for Virginia for two seasons through 2023 after transferring from Indiana in his home state.There certainly was a lot of winning his last season with the ‘Hoos.The Cavaliers won their first eight games in the 2022-2023 se...
It doesn’t take Armaan Franklin long to pick out the highlight of his time in Charlottesville.
“Probably my senior year. It was a lot of winning, a lot of camaraderie,” said Franklin, who played basketball for Virginia for two seasons through 2023 after transferring from Indiana in his home state.
There certainly was a lot of winning his last season with the ‘Hoos.
The Cavaliers won their first eight games in the 2022-2023 season, getting to 8-0 with a 55-50 decision at home over JMU before losing in the next contest to Houston.
Virginia won four straight ACC games late in the season before falling to Duke in the conference tournament title game, 59-49, and then suffering a one-point loss to Furman in the NCAA Tournament.
With Franklin averaging a team-high 12.4 points per contest and starting all 33 games, Virginia was 25-8 and the regular-season champions in the ACC.
After signing with the Denver Nuggets for the NBA Summer League in 2023, Franklin played for Grand Rapids in the G-League during the 2023-2024 season.
The guard from Indiana then played in Israel during the 2024-2025 campaign before suiting up in the G-League and France last season.
This season Franklin is playing for VEC-RASTA in Vechta, a town of about 40,000 people in the northwest corner of Germany. Playing in the BBL, the top league in the country, he had six points in 20 minutes as a starter in a loss on the road against the Skyliners in Frankfurt in late September.
Franklin, on Oct. 1, had 12 points in a loss to Science Center Jena in BBL play.
“I had a few teams here in Germany (that showed interest), as well as Austria and Romania,” said Franklin, standing courtside following the setback to the Skyliners. “Vechta has a good track record with players and in developing them. It is a bigger and better league.”
As a bonus, he is a teammate with Kihei Clark, who played for Virginia from 2018-2023. Clark has played in the G-League, Japan, Mexico and was in Belgium last season.
“It makes life a lot better,” Franklin said of having a college teammate on the roster. “I had no idea” Clark would be with Vechta this season when Franklin joined the club.
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