Canton Citizen announces Winter/Fall 2 All-Stars

CHS junior defenseman Sean Connolly is this year’s Canton Citizen Boys MVP. (Mike Tureski photo)

The Canton Citizen is pleased to announce its all-star selections for the Winter/Fall 2 seasons. The full list, featuring 32 CHS athletes from 11 sports, appears in this week’s print edition as part of the Citizen’s Winter/Fall2 sports wrap-up.

Boys MVP (Hockey)

Sean Connolly

Winner of the Hockomock Davenport Division’s Most Valuable Player Award, Connolly took the reins of a young Canton roster and helped guide the Bulldogs to an unbeaten season with his remarkable blend of poise, leadership, and all-around skillset. In addition to playing shut-down defense on the blue line, Connolly was also strong on the power play and was a key weapon offensively, tallying five goals and seven assists — including a hat trick in a win against North Attleboro. “Talk about improvement from one season to the next,” said head coach Brian Shuman. “Sean has always been a smooth, smart player, but he played with much more physicality and such tremendous poise. He really had a great year and was just so critical to our team’s success.”

Girls MVP (Volleyball)

Liz Bickett

One of the most talented all-around athletes to come through Canton High in recent memory, Bickett followed up her breakout junior campaign with a dominant, if abbreviated, senior season. Anchoring the middle for the Davenport champions, she produced in all facets of the game and led the league in both hit percentage and blocks while also pacing the team in digs and serve receive and finishing second in kills. “Liz is not a flashy player, but she can hit, block and dig as well as any around,” said head coach Pat Cawley. “She constantly amazes with her high level of play, knowledge of the game, and inner strength. Witnessing Liz’s mental fortitude all year reminds me why I coach.”

Boys Hockey

Eamon Kelly

A key contributor on last year’s state title-winning team, Kelly emerged as the top scoring option for the Bulldogs in his junior season, averaging well over a point per contest while finishing fourth in the Hockomock League with 17 total points (8g, 9a). He was arguably Canton’s most naturally gifted player and helped power the Bulldogs to an unbeaten record with his combination of speed, skill and toughness.

Liam Polles

The latest in a long line of standout, one-and-done Canton goalies, Polles received his shot this year in net for the Bulldogs and made the most of the opportunity, finishing with a goals against average of .80 and earning a well-deserved spot on the league all-star team. In addition to racking up 114 saves and four shutouts in 10 games, Polles had arguably his two best performances in Canton’s two marquee games against rival Franklin.

Dylan Coyne

One of the top feel-good stories of the Bulldogs’ pandemic-shortened season, Coyne transformed from a bit player last season to a team leader and key offensive weapon in 2021, centering Canton’s top forward line and finishing tied for second on the team with seven goals. “Dylan is another guy who really improved over the past year,” said head coach Brian Shuman. “He had some big goals for us and was a huge part of our success as a team this year.”

Volleyball

Angie Elias

A two-year captain and the heart of the CHS volleyball team according to coach Pat Cawley, Elias emerged as the team’s go-to hitter on the left side and was one of the best at her position in the league, but she was so much more than that. “She not only hit the ball with power but served aggressively and defended with precision,” noted Cawley. “She is a vocal leader, always striving to energize and elevate our level of play … Angie would sacrifice at any length to make her team stronger. She is every coach’s dream!”

Simela Donovan

A senior libero, Donovan stepped right in to a key varsity role this season and established herself as one of the team’s best defenders, finishing second on the team in digs and third in serve receive. She also led the team in serve percentage (98.7) and racked up 18 aces. “Simela is an extremely quick and strong player who reads the ball well and is always in the right position to make the play,” said Coach Cawley. “Her ability to see the play develop enabled her to repeatedly dig the ball and back up her teammates, making saves that would otherwise have ended in termination.”

Citizen Spirit Award

Olivia Chinsen

A four-year varsity volleyball player and two-year captain, Chinsen worked her way back from a season-ending injury suffered last year and was poised to be the Bulldogs’ top setter when she went down again in a preseason scrimmage, ending her senior campaign before it started along with her dreams of playing college volleyball. Despite that, said Cawley, she attended every practice and every match and served as another coach on the bench. “She is the team’s greatest supporter and has been there for the players and the coaching staff through her entire ordeal,” said Cawley. “Olivia is definitely an all-star in my mind! …

See this week’s Canton Citizen for the full list of all-stars as well as team summaries for the winter and fall 2 seasons. Click here to subscribe today.

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