Boys hoop flashes big potential despite 0-2 start
By Mike Berger
Sophomore Devin Foster is expected to shoulder a lot of the scoring load this season. (Mike Barucci photo)
The CHS boys basketball team opened the 2016-17 campaign with back-to-back losses to Hockomock Kelley-Rex opponents Attleboro and Mansfield, but Bulldog head coach Ryan Gordy is still quite excited about the growth of the team.
In last Tuesday’s opener at Attleboro, Canton hung tough before bowing out at the end 64-55. The Bulldogs also kept it close in the first half against Division I south tournament semifinalist Mansfield, but the Hornets broke the game open in the third quarter en route to a 61-43 win.
Canton has two dynamic players returning this season in junior forward Tony Harris and sophomore guard Devin Foster, both of whom are adjusting to basketball after playing football. Against Attleboro, Foster poured in a career-high 21 points while Harris finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Jake Verille added eight points and three rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Against Mansfield, Harris scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds and Austin Maffie came off the bench to score eight points.
In the Attleboro game, Canton competed hard and battled for all four quarters, leading by two at one point midway through the fourth.
“We just have to learn how to close out a game like that, but we did many things well,” said Gordy. “We executed the game plan and played good defense. We came into a tough place to play and played well.”
Against Mansfield, Canton remained within striking distance at the half, trailing by eight points. But the Bulldogs committed too many turnovers in the third quarter as the Hornets extended their lead to double digits.
“Canton competed well and played hard,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Vaughn after the game. “They gave us fits in things I thought we could expose early. But this is a nice young group which will grow as they get more experience.”
Gordy said this year’s squad lacks experience, but they are a hardworking and resilient group with the talent to compete with top teams. “This is a team to get excited about,” he said. “They are growing every day.”
Other team members are Brian Albert, Danny Hartnett, Peter Hayward, Ryan Lentol, Olivier Louis, Xavier Machuga, Eric Olshaker and Matt Warburton.
The Bulldogs were due to travel to King Philip on Tuesday and will resume action after the holiday with a game next Thursday, December 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Middleboro High School.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=35085
Posted by Mike Berger
on Dec 23 2016. Filed under High School, Sports.
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