Girls’ basketball team earns season’s first win
By Jay TurnerA spirited defensive effort by senior Kyshani Dummott and a breakout offensive performance by senior captain Kelly Bradley propelled the CHS girls’ basketball team to a 40-35 win over division newcomer Milford last week at home.
Senior Kyshani Dummott
The victory was Canton’s first of the season, and it provided the team with a much-needed confidence boost after its 31-point defeat to Taunton the week before. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they then had to face another top-notch team in Oliver Ames a few days later, and the Tigers lived up to the hype, winning 63-26 on Canton’s home court.
Despite how the week ended, however, head coach Caitlin Jamiel said she’s been happy with the team’s play thus far and is confident that they will continue to improve throughout the season.
Jamiel was especially encouraged by the Bulldogs’ performance down the stretch against Milford, as it showed what they are capable of when they lock in on an opponent defensively. The catalyst was Dummott, whose trademark intensity on the court produced several big stops. Sophomore Gabby Kenefick also played a strong defensive game, while Bradley came up big on the offensive end, finishing with a team-high 16 points while also sealing the victory with several clutch free throws in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
It was an entirely different story against Oliver Ames on Friday, yet Jamiel was surprisingly upbeat following the lopsided loss.
“They’re unbelievable,” she said of the Tigers, who are coming off an 18-3 season. “All of their players are tall. They can all shoot and they can all drive.”
Jamiel said their goal going into the game was simply to contain Oliver Ames on the offensive end, and it worked for a half as Canton trailed by only 13 after two quarters of play. The Bulldogs also limited OA’s fast-break opportunities, and they made some impressive hustle plays, including one instance where freshman Hayley Mulford raced down the court and won a battle for a loose ball.
“We definitely had some lapses on defense, but we didn’t back down,” said Jamiel after the game. “And considering the athletes and the skill level they have, I was happy with our play overall.”
The Bulldogs are now 1-2 on the season and will play their next four on the road, beginning tonight at East Bridgewater and continuing after the New Year with games against Attleboro, Sharon and Stoughton.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=18120
Posted by Jay Turner
on Dec 27 2012. Filed under High School, Sports.
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