Taunton overpowers inexperienced boys’ hoop team

An inexperienced Canton High boys’ basketball team opened the season at Taunton last Friday, and the results were anything but pretty as the Bulldogs fell to the Tigers in a blowout 85-41. Taunton’s deep, veteran-laden lineup came out on its home gym and took control early in the game, jumping out to a 25-7 first-quarter lead that ballooned to 49-15 at the half and 69-35 by the end of the third quarter.

CHS head coach Ryan Gordy acknowledged after the game that he has a lot of work to do, adding that he has to find four players who can play with Sam Larson, the lone returning starter from last year’s team.

Gordy also gave plenty of credit to Taunton, which he described as a “very strong team” that outplayed Canton “in every phase of the game.”

“They were athletic, quicker, stronger, more experienced,” he said. “For many of my players, it was the first sniff of starting and playing in the Hockomock League. It was an ice breaker. We played somewhat better in the third quarter, but any time you have 27 turnovers, you are not going to beat anyone. We have the potential to be better, but our future will depend on us controlling and limiting our turnovers.”

Gordy said when the Bulldogs got over their nervousness, settled down and ran their offensive sets and played defense, they did well. To their credit, they came out in the second half and played a much better quarter of basketball, scoring 19 points with several steals by junior Ato Botsio, a few blocked shots by 6’6” center Andrew Mansfield, and some sharp shooting by junior guard Matt Kelley.

Kelley finished the game with a team-high 11 points, while Larson added nine and Botsio scored six. Canton’s starting five included Dexter Green and Paul Swart at the guards, Tristen Mullen and Larson at the forwards, and Mansfield at center. Other team members include Jonathan Gilmore, Derrick Harris, Michael Harris, Scott Olshaker, and Brandon Pulido.

The Bulldogs have a difficult opening schedule with four straight games on the road. Their first home game will be on Wednesday, January 2, at 5:30 p.m. against Pembroke. Until then, the Bulldogs were due to face Milford on Tuesday, Oliver Ames on Friday, and Pembroke next Friday, December 28. Canton will also play a home and home series against Fairhaven later in the season.

In addition to playing two games each against their fellow Davenport Division opponents (Sharon, Milford, Stoughton, Foxboro and Oliver Ames), the Bulldogs will also play one game apiece against four Kelly-Rex Division teams: Attleboro, Franklin, Mansfield, and North Attleboro.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Dec 20 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.