CHS girls’ basketball falls short against league rivals

In the first two games of the season, the CHS girls’ varsity basketball team lost to Mansfield by 23 points and to Sharon by 33 points. Last week the Bulldogs got a chance to avenge these losses, and while the rematches were much more competitive, the results were just the same — two Canton losses.

Canton’s two-game win streak was snapped, with the team falling to Mansfield 52-51 in heartbreaking fashion last Tuesday at home and losing to Sharon 64-54 last Friday at home. Canton is now 2-9 on the season.

Tuesday against Mansfield, Canton trailed by nine heading into the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the game.

“Our players could have easily packed it in against a very talented Mansfield team, but we didn’t,” head coach Kaitlin Mills wrote in an e-mail to the Citizen.

Trailing by one with just eight seconds left, senior center Erika Bornemann converted her first free throw attempt to tie the game at 51. But she missed her second attempt and a jump ball was called on the rebound, which resulted in Mansfield gaining possession.

Mansfield’s Briena Walker drove to the basket on the ensuing possession and was fouled with no time left on the clock. Walker hit her first free throw to give Mansfield the victory.

Bornemann led the way with 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Senior forward Elana Willinsky added 14 points (eight in the fourth quarter alone), while sophomore point guard Alana Pitts-Anaya had ten points.

“We gave a very good basketball team a great game and we have to continue working hard,” Mills said.

Friday against Sharon, Canton ran into the Daley sisters, Liz and Emilee, who combined for 44 of Sharon’s 64 points. Mills credited Liz Daley for her defense in the post and near the baseline. Meanwhile, Emilee Daley was able to disrupt Canton’s perimeter game.

“Sharon is a big, athletic team. We knew we’d struggle with their height,” Mills said. “They really dominated the boards, especially in the second half.” Bornemann had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while sophomore forward Olivia Murphy had eight points, 13 rebounds and four steals. Junior guard Nicki Fralick added 12 points and five assists.

Canton hosted Franklin on Monday and Oliver Ames on Wednesday.  The team plays Foxboro at home on Friday. Franklin, Oliver Ames and Foxboro are the top three teams in the Hockomock League.

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Posted by Jeffrey Pickette on Jan 28 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.