Team effort lifts girls’ basketball over Stoughton

It took a complete team effort from the Canton High School girls’ basketball team to defeat Stoughton Saturday night 81-58.

Three Bulldog players posted double figures in scoring in the victory, including junior point guard Alana Pitts-Anaya — who hit 10 straight free throws in the fourth quarter to finish off the Black Knights.

“Alana had an awesome game,” Canton head coach Kaitlin Mills said. “She’s starting to come in to her own and become more confident.  Not only does she create great opportunities for herself, but she sets up her teammates.”

Although being the smallest girl on the court, Pitts-Anaya was a few steals and assists away from posting a quadruple double. She finished the game with 22 points and 13 rebounds and added seven steals and six assists. She also was flawless from the line, hitting all 14 free throws she attempted in the win.

The game remained close until the fourth quarter when the Bulldog defense shut down Stoughton’s best scorer and held her to only one point. The Bulldogs’ offense then erupted and Canton pulled away to win by 23 points.

“It was such a team effort,” Mills said. “This is the time of the season where teams start to click.”

Along with the spark Pitts-Anaya produced for the team, the Bulldogs got offensive production from other key players. Junior forward Olivia Murphy was Canton’s leading scorer with 24 points and 17 rebounds, while sophomore guard Lauren Berman hit four three-pointers in the game to finish with 14 points and seven assists. Sophomore Kristen Burns dominated the boards with nine rebounds and added eight points.

The victory was a bounce-back game for the Bulldogs after they suffered a 20-point loss at the hands of defending Hockomock League champion Oliver Ames on Wednesday night.

Oliver Ames had much taller guards, which gave Canton trouble all night, and the defending league champs won on their home court 74-54.

In the loss, Murphy had 16 points and 12 rebounds before she fouled out in the fourth quarter. Pitts-Anaya had 24 points.

“When we are playing very experienced teams, that’s when I really miss Nikki Fralick,” Mills said after the game.

Senior captain Fralick is sidelined with torn ligaments in her ankle. Mills expects her to return to the lineup the end of February.

The Bulldogs are 6-4 on the season. Canton was scheduled to play Tuesday at Attleboro High School and Friday at home versus Franklin High School.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=1026

Posted by Tony Catinella on Jan 27 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.