Life has not been easy for James Franklin Jr.

In August of 2017, the Cathedral senior underwent brain surgery to alleviate the epileptic seizures he had battled since birth.

“James is a warrior,” Cathedral basketball coach Jason Delaney said. “No one sets a better example or fights harder than James Franklin.”

Franklin has battled his way back to the basketball court for the Irish, making his second start of the season on Friday night in Cathedral’s 63-60 loss to Center Grove. The surgery, while successful, took part of Franklin’s brain. He battles depression.

“He has to overcome a lot of insecurities in his life,” Franklin’s mother, Tamieka Franklin said. “It has had a huge impact on him.”

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Franklin’s story should be a positive, an example of a young man overcoming adversity. But it took an unfortunate turn Friday night. In the first half of the game, while Franklin was at the free-throw line to shoot free throws, a Center Grove student flopped on the floor in front of the student section, seemingly a mocking gesture toward Franklin.

Later, Franklin took the ball out of bounds in front of the student section.

“He heard, ‘Have another seizure, have another seizure,’” Tamieka Franklin said. “That shows me they did their homework and it was not a coincidence.”

The same Center Grove student who flopped on the floor had a cutout of Cathedral senior Armaan Franklin’s mother’s face on his chest when the senior guard attempted two free throws.

Delaney said he did not see the reaction to James Franklin when it happened. But after watching the video online late Friday night and again Saturday morning, he said he does not doubt there was intent to make fun of Franklin.

“My hope is that something good can come from it,” Delaney said.

Tamieka Franklin agrees with Delaney. She said the Center Grove student apologized to her son after the game on Friday night.

“It didn’t really hit us until we went to dinner after the game,” Tamieka Franklin said. “It was like, ‘Did that really happen?’ Did they really mock a young man who has overcome a disability to play the sport he loves? My hope is that it shines on a light on what he has overcome.”

A message to Center Grove athletic director Jon Zwitt was not returned as of Saturday afternoon.

Center Grove's executive director of communications released the following statement Saturday afternoon:

"Members of the administrative team and athletic department at CGHS are aware of the concerns raised about student behavior at the Cathedral basketball game Friday night. We are working collaboratively with the administrative staff and athletic department at Cathedral to address these issues. Our goal is to always create an environment where sportsmanship and quality competition can thrive. We do not condone any behavior intended to mock, disparage or humiliate any player or student."

The Epilepsy Foundation of Indiana also released a statement Saturday in support of Franklin and condemning the behavior at Friday's game.

"We are outraged that someone in our epilepsy community would be made fun of in this manner. Seizures are not a laughing matter... James is an epilepsy warrior that should be celebrated not mocked.

"Making fun of someone having a seizure is bullying at its worst... It is unfortunate, that the bad behavior of this student only adds to the ignorance, misunderstanding and fears that exist about seizures. We are contacting both schools to discuss the matter and offer our free epilepsy trainings for school personnel and students."

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.