Boys’ hoop team nears century mark vs. Milford

Coming off a six-game losing streak and in danger of falling out of playoff contention, the Canton High boys’ basketball team bounced back in convincing fashion against Milford last week, exploding for 66 second-half points in a 95-72 home win Friday night.

Senior Rui Depina (Mike Barucci photo)

The Bulldogs then defeated Fairhaven 60-31 at home on Sunday to improve to 6-7 overall. Canton now needs to win four of its remaining seven games in order to qualify for the playoffs.

In the Milford game, the Bulldogs trailed by as many as 10 in the third quarter before seizing the momentum with a 32-10 run. The Bulldogs continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter, adding another 44 points. Milford did go on a run that cut the lead to seven points with 6:49 left in the game, but within 90 seconds, Canton went on a 13-5 run of its own that got the lead back up to 18 points.

For the game, three players combined for 85 points, with Matt Kelly scoring 32, Sam Larson right behind him with 31, and Tristin Morris adding 22 points. Ato Botsio also played a strong two-way game, scoring nine points with several offensive rebounds as the starting point guard. As a team, Canton connected on 14 three-point shots, including eight by Kelley, who only missed one shot in the entire second half. Morris also played a strong game with many drives to the basket and several offensive rebounds.

Head coach Ryan Gordy said the explosion was fueled by a switch to a 1-3-1 defense, which produced several Milford turnovers and led to easy baskets and good open looks for Kelley and Larson.

“Finally, after all of the drills and practices, everything came together,” said Gordy. “It was as if a light bulb was turned on. It was a great defensive effort, very unselfish ball movement, great extra passes, and even better execution. I have never seen a high school game where three players went off for 85 points.”

The coach also praised the efforts of center Scott Olshaker, who clogged the middle and played strong help defense.

The Bulldogs followed up their tremendous win over Milford with a tenacious defensive effort against 3-7 Fairhaven.

Gordy used all of his players and 10 of them scored. Larson led the offense with 21 points, and four players each contributed six points, including Kelley, Botsio, Morris, and sophomore Woanyen Mahn, who hit all four of his free throws. Also scoring were Paul Swart, Derrick Harris, Rui Depina, Olshaker, and Hudson Cerruti. Dom Bires and Nick Charles also saw action in the game for the Bulldogs.

Prior to the two wins last week, the Bulldogs lost for the sixth consecutive game to a previously undefeated Mansfield team (now 12-1), considered one of the best high school basketball teams in the region. The game was played at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, because of the impending snowstorm.

The Hornets led early and never let up, compiling leads of 24-8 at the end of the first quarter, 46-23 at the half, and 71-33 at the end of the three. The final score was 86-47.

“They’re smart, they work well together, and they communicate,” said Gordy. “It’s a product of being well coached, communication and hard work. The guys put the work and the time in the offseason, and it’s obvious why they are 12-0. You can take away one weapon and someone else will hurt you. Most importantly, they are well coached and their execution level is bar none.”

Larson led the offense with 27 points, and Botsio and Morris added eight points apiece. Asked what he took as a positive from the Mansfield game, Gordy said, “[Larson] is an absolute warrior. He brings it every night. He is a pleasure to coach and I am lucky to coach him.”

This week, the Bulldogs were due to play at Oliver Ames on Tuesday and home against North Attleboro on Friday, January 31. The team will then head to King Philip on Tuesday, February 4.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 30 2014. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.