Boys’ basketball team falls to Sharon, Stoughton
By Mike Berger
In last week's game against Sharon, Bulldog fans wore crazy costumes and gave the team the silent treatment until the 10th point was scored. (Mike Barucci photo)
The CHS boys’ basketball team endured what head coach Ryan Gordy described as “growing pains” last week as the Bulldogs fell to 3-5 overall with losses to Sharon 76-62 and Stoughton 64-59.
Against Sharon, Canton fought back after getting into an early hole, but it was too little, too late. Friday night at home against Stoughton, Canton again fell behind early, regained the lead at halftime, and had a four-point lead with a foul advantage (7-2) entering the fourth quarter — meaning that any further foul calls against Stoughton would have sent the Bulldogs to the free-throw line.
But Stoughton mounted an aggressive defense, harassed the Canton backcourt, and regained the lead for good. For the game, Stoughton made 10 three-point shots while Canton missed 10 free throws.
A key point in the game occurred with 5:25 left when the Black Knights’ Marcus Middleton stole the ball, scored the layup, and added two free throws after Canton was called for a flagrant foul. A few minutes later, Canton’s leading scorer, Sam Larson (14), went out of the game with an injury and the Bulldogs never recovered.
To their credit, the Bulldogs came back from a 21-12 second-quarter deficit to take a 25-21 halftime lead behind good shooting by Larson, Andrew Mansfield, Tristin Mullen, and Matt Kelley. Mansfield finished as the second leading scorer with 13 points, followed by Mullen with 12 and guard Ato Botsio with 10.
“I think tonight we had a lot of teachable moments,” said Gordy after the game. “Stoughton came in with eight seniors, some of whom played in the division final last year. They showed their experience down the stretch. Hopefully we grew up tonight and learned what to do in a tight game against a good team, down the stretch. Our effort and heart are fantastic. We just have to learn what to do in a tight game.”
“Canton played very well, very hard,” noted Stoughton head coach John Gallivan. “They are well coached. The difference tonight was the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter. We sleepwalked through three quarters, and at the end we showed what we are capable of.”
In the Sharon game, the Eagles jumped out to a 15-9 first-quarter lead and led 42-23 at the half. Larson led the offense with 14, followed by Mullen with 13, Botsio with 11, and Kelley with 10.
“I think what we learned in the Sharon game is we need to come out ready to play a full 32-minute game,” said Gordy. “We came out sluggish, especially on both sides of the court, and Sharon took advantage of it.”
The Bulldogs now go out on the road with games against Franklin on Tuesday and Foxboro on Friday. They will return to play at home on Monday, January 21, against Mansfield.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=18489
Posted by Mike Berger
on Jan 17 2013. Filed under High School, Sports.
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