Boys’ basketball team clinches playoff berth

The CHS boys’ basketball team is headed to the Division 3 playoffs following Monday night’s convincing win over Fairhaven 71-40 at home.

The Bulldogs (7-12) clinched a spot in the tournament by virtue of earning a .500 record or better against D3 opponents. Aside from Foxboro, all other Hockomock League schools compete in either Division 1 or 2.

Senior Dexter Green (Mike Barucci photo)

Canton now awaits the playoff pairings, which come out this Friday at noon. Because of their record, the Bulldogs will likely play a high seed on the road early next week.

On Monday the team put together one of its finest performances of the season, combining an impressive offensive showing with tenacious defense.

The Bulldogs got off to a slow start, but a switch to a pressure defense late in the first quarter made a world of difference as they finished the quarter on a 10-1 run. By halftime, the lead had ballooned to 43-17 behind 19 points from Sam Larson and 11 from Matt Kelley. The Bulldogs then slowed down a bit in the third quarter, but still maintained a comfortable lead at 51-31.

With about five minutes to go in the game, Gordy emptied the bench and everyone got a chance to play. Larson led the team in scoring with 25, followed by Kelley with 13 and Tristin Mullen with seven. Freshman Woanyan Mahn chipped in six and Paul Swart added five. Also scoring baskets were Andrew Mansfield, Ato Botsio, Derrick Harris, Brandon Pulido, and Scott Olshaker.

After the game, Gordy said his team was very excited for the playoffs. “The kids have worked very hard and are very battle tested,” he said. “They played a great game tonight.”

Gordy said Mansfield, one of the team’s three captains, spoke to the players before the game about the importance of entering the playoffs with the right attitude. After the game Mansfield reflected on how much the team has grown since its opening game against Taunton. “It’s like night and day,” he said.

Last week the Bulldogs played two very competitive games against Stoughton and Foxboro but came up short in both contests, 61-55 and 57-53.

Against Foxboro, the game featured many lead changes and again came down to the wire. Foxboro came out of the first quarter with a 15-11 lead but Canton it at the half 30-30.

Dexter Green cut the deficit to one with 30 seconds remaining in the game. With about seven seconds left, the Bulldogs got a good look at the basket, but a jumper by Mullen rolled off the rim and Foxboro iced the game with free throws.

Larson led the offense with 16 points, followed by Kelley with 12 and Green with nine.

“The kids played their hearts out,” said Gordy. “I had no issue with their intensity. [Foxboro] just made one more big shot than we did.”

In the loss to Stoughton, the Black Knights found a way to contain Larson, take Mansfield out of the game with foul trouble, and force several Bulldog turnovers. Mullen had a sound two-way game for Canton and finished with 17 points, and Kelley came off the bench to score 18, including several three pointers.

Friday’s game against Foxboro was also senior night for the Bulldogs, and each of the senior players and cheerleaders were introduced with their parents and presented with flowers. Senior players included Green, Jonathan Gilmore, Mansfield, and Pulido. Senior cheerleaders were Jaime Hines, Lexie Hansen, and Jaime Tran, who sang the national anthem before the game.

The Bulldogs’ last regular season game was due to be played at Sharon on Wednesday, February 20.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 21 2013. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.