CHS boys’ hoop team’s bench and defense too much for KP

Good outside shooting by Chris Murray (18 points) along with a tough Canton defense that held King Philip to 13 fourth-quarter points propelled Canton to its third win of the season 61-53 at home Friday night.

A number of Bulldogs had a hand in the win, including seniors Marc Abelard and A.J. Nichols, who both finished with 11 points. Tyler Gavigan added good defense and rebounding while chipping in seven points. Zia Wiggins scored five points off the bench to go along with tough defense and solid rebounding, while Max Guillaume also played well, scoring four points and grabbing several steals.

It was a battle of two 2-7 teams, and the game seesawed for most of the contest with Canton leading 15-13 at the end of the first quarter, 24-23 at the half, and 41-40 at the end of the third quarter. KP took the lead at 47-44 with 4:44 left in the game, but Canton regained control in the next three minutes, going on a 10-0 run with baskets by Wiggins, Nichols, Abelard and free throws by Murray. Abelard was key in this stretch with a steal, a drive and a dunk.

Gavigan made a big free throw with 1:12 left after a KP technical foul, and another free throw by Nichols and a steal and three-point play by Abelard clinched the win for the Bulldogs as the lead increased to 59-50 with 42 seconds remaining.

CHS head coach Mike Devoll started the game with a new lineup of Murray and Guillaume in the backcourt, the Gavigan brothers (Tyler and Colby) at the forwards, and Nichols at center. Devoll said Scott Levy was still hurt and he wanted to set a defensive tone at the beginning of the game. Canton played well and outscored KP 10-3 in the opening minutes.

“We had two goals this week,” Devoll said. “One was to score 60 points and the other was to improve our man-to-man defense, and we accomplished both.”

He said the defense did a good job down the stretch containing 6’7” sophomore Jake Layman, who still finished with 22 points. He also praised the overall play of Murray, Guillaume and Abelard.

The Bulldogs have a busy week with a home game on Tuesday against Mansfield and away games at Southeastern Vo-Tech Wednesday and Sharon Friday. After that they travel to Franklin on Monday, January 25, and then host Oliver Ames on Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 21 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.