Tough D propels boys’ hoop to big win over Fairhaven

The CHS boys’ basketball team evened its record to 3-3 Sunday at home with an exciting, 55-50 win over Division 3 opponent Fairhaven. Junior Joe McCabe led the way with 25 points, including four three-pointers, while the entire team played outstanding defense, forcing Fairhaven to commit many turnovers.

Sunday’s game was close from start to finish as Canton’s defense and great guard play was a bit too much for Fairhaven, which vastly out-rebounded the Bulldogs and got two 19-point performances from Adam Mullen and Billy Vessa.

Canton led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter and entered the fourth leading 42-35, but Fairhaven used its rebounding advantage to go ahead 44-42 with 5:40 left in the game. However, Colby Gavigan, who had 11 points on the day, completed a three-point play that pulled Canton ahead for good. Jumpers by Scott Levy and later McCabe helped push the lead to three with almost four minutes to play.

From there, the Canton defense took over, as successive steals by Gavigan and Chris Murray led to two quick layups and gave the Bulldogs a commanding seven-point lead with 2:20 left in the game. Fairhaven managed to cut the deficit to three with 43 seconds left, but Murray scored a layup with 28 seconds remaining to ice the game.

After the game, Fairhaven coach Phil Harding praised his own team’s mental toughness but also credited the Bulldogs for securing a hard-fought victory. “Both teams played hard,” he said. “It was an intense game. They just made a few more shots than we did.”

“We just played great defense the entire game,” said CHS head coach Mike Devoll. “I like the way our starters worked well down the stretch to take over the game.” Devoll said he knew that Fairhaven (4-4) was a very good defensive team that had a great scorer in Mullen.

In earlier action last week, Canton pulled ahead in the third quarter behind McCabe’s shooting to beat Southeastern Vo-Tech 58-48, but was dominated by Mansfield at home 62-37.

Against Southeastern, McCabe’s 24 points led all scorers, and his three three-pointers in the third quarter broke open what had been a close game at halftime.

Canton did not fare well against Mansfield two nights later as the Hornets were too tall and athletic for the Bulldogs. Canton played Mansfield close in the first quarter and trailed 15-11, but Mansfield pulled ahead in the second quarter as Canton only scored one point.

“Mansfield is a great team, a big team, much taller and very athletic,” said Devoll.

Gavigan was Canton’s high scorer with 11 points, and reserve Michael Charles played well with some good defense and rebounding.

Canton has another busy week with an away game Tuesday at North Attleboro and then two home games: Friday night against King Philip and a special Sunday afternoon game (3 p.m.) against Old Rochester.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 13 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.