Legend in the making: Larson joins 1,000 point club
By Mike Berger
Sam Larson and the Bulldogs are red-hot heading into the playoffs. (Mike Barucci photo)
CHS basketball standout Sam Larson joined the prestigious 1,000-point club earlier this week, becoming only the sixth player in school history to do so. The senior captain, whose name will be added to a banner in the Masciarelli rafters in a future ceremony, accomplished this feat on Sunday against Fairhaven as the Bulldogs wrapped up their most successful regular season in 18 years with their ninth consecutive victory.
Head coach Ryan Gordy said it was amazing to see 150 to 200 Canton basketball fans and dozens of Larson’s family and friends show up in Fairhaven the day after a snowstorm to witness the milestone achievement. Larson scored 16 points for the game and reached the 1,000-point barrier early in the third quarter on a patented drive to the basket. The last time Canton had a 1,000-point scorer was Adam Jablonski in 2000.
Going into this week, Larson needed 59 points to reach 1,000, and he ended up getting 60 in the Bulldogs’ three victories this week, including 18 against Stoughton and 26 against Foxboro.
“It was special to see so many people travel to see Sam score his 1,000th point,” said Gordy. “He is a special person and he is the face of Canton basketball.”
The Bulldogs finish the regular season at 13-7, which is their best won-loss record since 1996 and one win shy of the modern day record set in 1992.
The team now awaits its playoff seeding in the Division 2 south sectional tournament, which gets underway next week. Gordy said 15 teams will make the bracket and Canton should end up in the ninth, tenth, or 11th spot, with their first game most likely to be played either February 25 or 26.
More good news came on Sunday as both Larson and senior Matt Kelley were named to the All-Hockomock League first team while senior Tristin Morris was named an honorable mention. This is the first time Canton has had two first-team all stars since 2000.
With wins over Stoughton and Foxboro last week, Canton avenged earlier losses and took total control of both games with tough defense and an opportunistic offense led by Larson, Kelley, Morris, and senior point guard Ato Botsio. An emerging two-way player, Botsio is not only scoring in double digits but he is also averaging more than eight rebounds per game.
The week started with a 68-51 home win over Stoughton on Senior Night as the Bulldogs honored their eight senior players — including Scott Olshaker, Dom Bires, Rui Depina, and Nick Charles — and three senior cheerleaders, Hannah Dickie and captains Kristen Fabbiano and Tristan Bigot.
The game was close for a half, but Canton broke it open in the third quarter as Kelley hit four three-pointers en route to a 20-point night.
“I think we just wore them down in the game with our defense,” said Gordy. “We were able to get out on the break and [Kelley] made the difference with his three-pointers. [Botsio] played well running the point and [Morris] was consistent all night.”
Against Foxboro on February 14, the Bulldogs prevailed 73-65 behind Larson’s big night, which included a team-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Kelley was second on the team with 20 points, while Botsio chipped in with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Gordy also commended junior forward Derrick Harris, who scored eight points and contributed strong defense and rebounding.
Gordy said the intent of Sunday’s game against Fairhaven was for Larson to get his points and for all of the younger members of the team to get the lion’s share of the minutes. Twelve of the 13 Canton players scored as the Bulldogs broke away from a 5-5 first quarter score and expanded the lead to 23-15 at the half and 35-17 after three quarters.
Gordy said the players are in a great frame of mind entering the playoffs with a “sense of togetherness and commitment to each other.”
“Back when we were 4-7, we began to understand that each game was a big game,” he said. “Now we have a chance to rest a little, put in a good week of practice, work on some things, and get ready for our first opponent.”
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Feb 20 2014. Filed under High School, Sports.
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