Nomination year: 2023

Nominated by: Thomas Watson

Nomination Category: Athletes & Coaches

Sport: Basketball

Years Participated: 1979-1981

Career Summary:

Theresa (Niemann) Franklin was a prolific scorer for the Celina High School Lady Dawgs during her three-year career from 1979-1981.  She helped the Black and Gold achieve the most success they’d seen in a decade, and then went on to even greater heights of achievement her senior year and beyond, after transferring out of Celina.

As a three year starter, Franklin made a constant impact on Celina High School basketball.  The girls’ game shifted from half-court to full-court after her freshman season, and the change in play suited the superb athleticism of Franklin, who excelled as a sophomore and junior.    

Franklin averaged 18 points per game during her Lady Dawg career, and finished 7th state-wide in all-classifications in scoring with 629 points her junior year, while averaging 22.4 points per game.  That single-season mark ranks her at 4th on the current Lady Dawg single-season scoring list behind Kenzie Arms (714), Tricia (Fox) Strong (662), and Taylor Strong (654).  Franklin garnered 2nd Team All-District as a sophomore, while making 1st Team All-District as a junior and earning All-State Honorable Mention status.  Franklin’s great year in 1981 led the team to their first winning record and regional tournament appearance in a decade.    

Franklin’s family moved to South Dakota, where she finished her high school career as an Academic All-American, and earned 1st Team All-State honors by leading the state in scoring, averaging 26.4 points and over 10 rebounds per game.  Franklin then went on to play for four years at South Dakota State, and enjoyed a one-year stint as a professional basketball player in Europe.

Nominator comment:

“I was given the district Coach of the Year award in 1981 thanks to Theresa’s outstanding play.  We had wins over both Pickett County and Clarkrange that year.

“Looking at what Theresa did while in Celina, and factoring in her tremendous accomplishments in South Dakota, she is more than deserving of acceptance into the Clay County Sports Hall of Fame.”