New-look boys basketball team off to competitive start
By Mike Berger
Lanse Dorcelus defends a Southeastern player during Sunday’s game. (D’jani Silva photo)
Robbie Gallery, Lanse Dorcelus, Matt Giglio and Eric Mischler all played key roles as the CHS boys basketball team evened its record to 1-1 on Sunday with a 49-37 home win over Southeastern Regional Vo-Tech.
The victory came on the heels of a season-opening loss to Attleboro, who battled back after a slow start to win by eight, 63-55.
The team is still adjusting to life without recent graduate Devin Foster, who last season set the school’s all-time scoring record and was named the Red Auerbach Massachusetts Basketball Player of the Year. Also missing from the first two contests was senior captain Kyle Fitzgerald, who is recovering from injuries sustained during football season. Head coach Ryan Gordy termed Fitzgerald’s injury status as “day to day” along with fellow senior Nick Cushman.
In the Southeastern game, Canton fell behind 11-7 in the opening quarter but then roared back to overtake the lead before the half, outscoring the Hawks 15-0 during the second quarter.
Gordy felt the difference in the game was the play of Dorcelus, who scored nine points and grabbed 16 rebounds. “He really anchored our defense,” he said of the sophomore forward. “His energy was infectious.”
Gordy said the Bulldogs also responded well to Southeastern’s zone defense, aided by the shooting of Giglio, who had a team-high 20 points, and Mischler, who finished with 12 points.
In Friday’s game versus Attleboro, Gallery led the way for the Bulldogs from the lead guard position, scoring 22 points and pulling down five rebounds. Mischler added 14 points while Giglio chipped in with eight. Canton led 15-6 at the end of the first quarter, but Attleboro proved resilient, cutting the deficit to one at the half and then breaking the game open with a big third quarter.
Remarking on the play of Gallery, Gordy said the senior captain looks primed to take on a bigger role this season. “We know he can play great defense, rebound and can score,” said Gordy. “He can do a lot to help us.”
Canton was hurt in the low post as Attleboro’s 6’5” center Qualeem Charles scored 20 points and the Bulldogs turned the ball over 16 times.
Despite the loss, Gordy said the team is much further along in its development and will only get better with the addition of Fitzgerald and Cushman.
The Bulldogs will face a tough test tomorrow night as they travel to Franklin to take on an experienced and stingy Panther squad. The team then returns to action after Christmas with a pair of nonleague games — December 28 at Norwood and December 30 at home versus Bishop Feehan.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=62939
Posted by Mike Berger
on Dec 21 2019. Filed under High School, Sports.
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