Resurgent CHS hoopsters reclaim B-M holiday title

In a remarkable turnaround from the beginning of the season, the Canton High boys basketball team reeled off three convincing wins last week, capturing the Blackstone-Millville Holiday Tournament and beating division opponent Milford to improve to .500.

Now at 3-3 overall and with momentum on their side, the Bulldogs have a chance to jump right back into the thick of the Davenport Division race, starting with an away game this week against Oliver Ames and a special home event tomorrow night against Stoughton. Both CHS varsity teams will host the Black Knights as part of “rivalry night,” with the girls playing at 5:30 p.m. and the boys tipping off at 7 p.m. The event will also double as a “youth night,” and any Canton Youth Basketball player wearing a game jersey will receive free admission to both games.

Junior forward Griffin Jerrier (Mike Barucci photo)

As for last week’s action, the Bulldogs proved they could bounce back from a rough stretch and showed dramatic improvements in effort, execution, and organization in lopsided wins over Avon (79-42), Burrillville, Rhode Island (66-35), and Milford (60-45).

“Usually over the last few years the Blackstone-Millville Tournament brings us together as a team,” said head coach Ryan Gordy. “We bond over the holiday week and we begin to show our identity as a team. Now we are much more confident … Everyone is beginning to better understand their roles on the team and we continue to be a work in progress. I think the tournament is a springboard of what kind of team we can be.”

Two members of the Bulldogs were named to the all-tournament team: junior forward Griffin Jerrier, who took home MVP honors, and junior guard Rishi Jambunathan, who hit six threes and poured in 22 points off the bench against Avon.

In both of their tournament victories, Canton got off to a strong start before exploding in the third quarter, highlighted by a 29-6 run in the championship game against Burrillville.

“That was our best quarter of basketball [this season],” said Gordy. “We shot the ball real well, hit 11 threes, and we got contributions from 10 guys.”

Senior captain Derrick Harris led the team in scoring with 17 points, and his brother Michael had his best game of the season, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jerrier had another solid performance with 11 points and eight rebounds.

In the Milford game on Friday, Canton jumped out to a 16-6 lead and never looked back, winning 60-45 behind a brilliant performance from Derrick Harris, who filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Gordy said Harris has taken the leap this season from key role player to all-around stud, grabbing the torch from three-time all star and 2014 graduate Sam Larson. Harris, like Larson, has proven he can play and defend multiple positions while also emerging as one of the team’s best shooters, rebounders, and shot blockers.

From a team standpoint, the Bulldogs displayed a tenacious defense, buried 10 three-pointers, and dominated the Hawks on the boards. The only down note was the team’s free-throw shooting, as the Bulldogs converted only 10 of 24 attempts.

Canton’s second leading scorer against Milford was Jerrier, who had his third straight game in double figures with 16 points. Also playing well in the three-game winning streak were Ben O’Neill, Joe Bires, James Bourikas, Joe Peccia, and Jamal Robert.

Milford head coach Paul Seaver, who previously coached the Canton freshman and JV teams, was impressed by what he saw out of the Bulldogs Friday night.

“They came out with a greater sense of urgency than we did,” said Seaver. “They played tough defense and shot the ball well. I am not surprised. They have some good ballplayers.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 8 2015. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.