Boys’ hoop earns rare home playoff opener
By Mike BergerUpdate: Sam Larson and the red-hot CHS boys’ basketball team made it 10 in a row on Wednesday night, beating No. 9 Sandwich 66-57 in the opening round of the Division 2 south sectional tournament at CHS. The Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals and will take on top-seeded Bishop Feehan tomorrow night in Attleboro beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Click here for the D2 south tournament bracket.)
Senior captain Sam Larson scored a team-high 25 points against Sandwich. (Mike Barucci photo)
For the first time in modern day CHS basketball history, the Bulldogs had a chance to host a playoff game this week, and if the stars align correctly, they would host a second game this Friday night, February 28.
To get a second home playoff game, Canton would have to beat Sandwich Wednesday night, and top-seeded Bishop Feehan (19-1) would have to lose to 16th seeded Foxboro. If Canton and Bishop Feehan both win, then Feehan would host Canton in Attleboro on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Based on its remarkable record of 13-7 and having won nine consecutive games, the Bulldogs were awarded a No. 8 seed among 16 teams in the Division 2 south bracket. Sandwich also finished 13-7 but had to settle for the No. 9 seed after the Bulldogs won a coin flip.
Besides Canton and Foxboro, there are two other Hockomock League teams competing in this bracket, including No. 10 Sharon (14-8) and No. 15 Oliver Ames.
Due to MIAA rules and recent enrollment trends, Canton switched from Division 3 to Division 2 in basketball this year. Head coach Ryan Gordy said that the D2 south bracket is strong from top to bottom and he would not be “shocked” if there were many upsets.
Gordy said Sandwich is a difficult opponent and features a 1,000-point scorer in junior guard Joey Downes, as well as a big front line that includes a 6’5” center and a 6’4” forward. Sandwich won its ACL League and played very well in its nonleague games against Scituate and Dartmouth.
The Bulldogs have a 1,000-point scorer of their own in senior Sam Larson, who reached the milestone in Canton’s final regular season game against Fairhaven on February 16. Larson and fellow senior Matt Kelley were named to the All-Hockomock first team while senior Tristin Morris was named an honorable mention all-star.
Gordy feels his team is confident and physically ready for the playoffs — a recent stomach bug notwithstanding—and they recently welcomed back guard Paul Swart, who missed some time due to a concussion.
Last year, Canton opened with a road win in the Division 3 south playoffs, upsetting No. 12 Abington before bowing out in the next round to fifth seeded Norton.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=24449
Posted by Mike Berger
on Feb 27 2014. Filed under High School, Sports.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
