Brayden’s a homegrown kid. His parents grew up in Gloucester, he went through Beeman Elementary School, O’Maley Middle School, and now Gloucester High School.
He always had a passion for sports — whether it was baseball, lacrosse, or basketball. He started his baseball journey in Gloucester’s Little League.
“I first started baseball when I was about 4-5 years old,” Francis said. “I have not missed a year since. Sports [are] more than just a game to me. I think the biggest reason I have played sports all my life is the lifestyle — the friendships, the laughter and the memories that last a lifetime. Sports brings a whole different meaning to my life.”
Brayden and his teammates were the boys of spring and summer — from Little League to Williamsport tournaments, when those cold spring days turned into hot summer nights and the seasons rolled on every year, Brayden made sure to take it all in and work on his craft.
While playing for his travel teams, he spent long hours in the car playing double headers on Saturdays and Sundays. This is when he quickly became to realize that he had what it takes to make it to the next level.
“Just around my sophomore year, I was playing for ‘The Show,'” Francis said. “I was pitching and throwing my fast ball up to 83-84 mph. That was the turning point when I told myself, ‘Okay if I work hard next year, then I can make something happen.'”
And make something happen, he did.
During his senior year, Francis boasted a team high 70 strikeouts on the mound. He only allowed 4 earned runs in 51 innings pitched.
Along with his stellar performance on the mound, Brayden also had 22 hits in 22 games played.
Brayden was a huge factor in helping the Fishermen secure the #10 spot in the Division 3 tournament and a final record of 20-2.
Thanks to his accomplishments, Brayden was named NEC’s Most Valuable Player, the first GHS player to be named MVP since 2014.
“The season he put together on the mound this year ranks up there with some of the best that GHS has seen,” Rory Gentile, the GHS head baseball coach, said. “Losing Brayden will have a profound impact on this team both on the field and off. I can’t wait to see what he does for Endicott.”
The two-year captain had to put in the work to get to this point — during the fall months, you could find Brayden in the gym or with his pitching coach.
It wasn’t all about baseball, though.
Brayden also played GHS basketball for four years, earning varsity minutes as a freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior. Brayden served as captain for his junior and senior years as well. He helped younger players develop and understand Coach Philpott’s game plan.
Brayden enjoyed being captain and took his role seriously. His fierce competitiveness and humble maturity made him the ultimate teammate. Brayden’s defense on the basketball court kept his team in games and thrust them into many exciting victories over the years. Brayden received the Larry McIntire IAABO Basketball Scholarship after the McIntire tournament. When handing out the award, Larry McIntire’s family said, “Brayden’s leadership and community service stood out among the rest.”
Brayden’s passion for sports and commitment to GHS had him beaming with pride on Friday nights in the stands of the football games or at the rink, cheering for his little brother Cade, who is on the hockey team.
You could find Brayden dressed as a fishermen or in all white, maybe sporting his lettermen jacket or a GHS sweatshirt. No matter what he wore, he was always seen cheering and supporting GHS with all his heart.
Not only that, he gave back to the community. He coached basketball and baseball camps, as well as collecting and donating food to the Open Door. He was in the National Honor Society and on the Student Council, as well as other clubs around the school.
“He takes pride in maintaining a positive image in the school community, all while being a fierce competitor on the field,” Gentile said.
Brayden truly embodied what it means to be a Gloucester High School student-athlete.
Brayden is now off to Endicott College, located in Beverly MA — not far down the road from where it all started. He will be joining a baseball team that has been to the last three Division III College World Series Championships. The Gulls have a very talented roster — they carry 27 pitchers, three of whom won All-American nods this season.
Brayden’s Fishermen grit and determination will surely help propel him into his next stage and we can’t wait to see what he does.
