Boys’ hoop team goes 1-1 in disappointing week

For the first time this season, CHS boys’ basketball coach Ryan Gordy said he was disappointed in the team’s overall play after the Bulldogs were edged by a five-win Foxboro team 54-51 on the Warriors’ home court Friday night.

Sophomore Tristin Mullen (Mike Barucci photo)

Despite a last-second, game-winning shot by senior guard Scott Levy in a 51-49 home win over Sharon earlier in the week, Gordy said his team did not play well in either game.

“You can’t coast in this league,” he said after Friday’s loss. “You can’t expect to show up and think you can just win. Tonight, Foxboro did the little things. They out-hustled us … We were complacent. We didn’t play with heart. Only at the end of the game did we show anything.”

As for the Sharon game, Gordy said the team was happy to get a win, but they were not satisfied with their performance. “We need to get back to basics and what has made us successful,” he said.

The Bulldogs had a four-point lead against Foxboro with 5:30 left in the game, but they let it slip away with several turnovers, missed free throws, and a lack of defensive rebounds. In one stretch Foxboro center Jeff McPherson had three consecutive offensive rebounds, leading to free throws.

Canton’s Chris Murray, who was the second leading scorer with 10 points, hit a difficult layup with his left hand to cut the Foxboro lead to two with 37 seconds remaining. Anthony Bires was able to steal the ball with five seconds left, and a Canton player was fouled on the play. But the Bulldogs were unable to convert the two free throws, while Foxboro connected on one free throw to ice the game.

Sam Larson, who returned after missing several games with a foot injury, connected for 12 points, and Levy added nine. Canton led at the half 24-23, but Foxboro was able to take advantage of two questionable technical foul calls at the end of the third quarter, hitting their free throws to take a 38-33 lead.

In the Sharon game, Levy hit a short jumper with a second left as the Canton offense executed a perfect play coming out of the timeout. Two defenders collapsed on leading scorer Joe McCabe, who waited for Levy to come off a pick, fed him a short pass, and Levy buried the jumper.

McCabe had an outstanding game with 20 points and several rebounds and assists. Levy and Colby Gavigan each had seven points. Canton led at the half 29-26, but Sharon went ahead 40-36 by the end of the third quarter. McCabe’s three-pointer tied the game at 49 with 1:28 remaining, and Canton made a key defensive stop with center Andrew Mansfield securing a rebound with 12 seconds left in the game.

Another bright spot for Canton last week included the continued improvement of sophomore forward Tristin Mullen, who combined for 14 points over two games.

“Tristin is doing a good job,” said Gordy. “He has always had shooting confidence, but I think he has a better understanding of our offense.”

In addition, the team continues to see an increase in attendance at home games. The game against Sharon produced an unusual twist: The students coordinated an effort with the cheerleaders not to cheer for the team until Canton scored its tenth point. The crowd then erupted in cheers and the fans continued to be enthusiastic throughout the game, aided by the student band.

Now 9-6 and with a playoff berth locked up, the Bulldogs are nearing the close of the regular season. Canton was due to host Southeastern Vo-Tech on Monday and Oliver Ames on Friday, followed by a road game at Stoughton next Tuesday, February 14. The team will then play a large school opponent in the Hockomock crossover game on February 17, and will end the regular season with a rematch against Fairhaven on Sunday, February 19, at noon.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 8 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.