Boys’ hoop qualifies for state tourney

It was a great week for the CHS boys’ basketball team as the Bulldogs earned a spot in the postseason tournament with a 71-62 win over Old Rochester on Sunday. The victory was Canton’s fourth over a Division 3 opponent already this season.

But the game everyone is still talking about took place at home Friday night, when the Bulldogs nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback against King Philip. Down 19 points with eight minutes to go, Canton almost tied the game, missing a free throw at the very end to fall 72-71.

KP certainly dominated the game through the first three quarters, using its height advantage to pull away 54-35 at the end of the third. The Warriors’ Jake Layman (6’8”) led the way with a dominant, 39-point performance, while KP had other players at 6’6”, 6’4” and 6’3”. By comparison, Canton’s tallest player is Josh Sheehan at 6’1”.

But all that height meant little in the fourth quarter as Canton guard Joe McCabe torched the Warriors for 16 points, while the Canton defense forced several turnovers behind the stellar play of Scott Levy, Chris Murray, Sheehan, McCabe, and Dominique Purvis.

After scoring the first eight points of the quarter, Canton still trailed by 13 with just about three minutes to go in the game. But the Bulldogs responded with another flurry of shots – including two layups by Purvis and a three pointer and a layup by McCabe – to cut the deficit to six with 1:26 to go. A pair of free throws by Purvis and a layup by Murray then cut it to three with 48 seconds remaining.

The KP lead was still three with just 11 seconds to go, when McCabe strode to the line with a chance to tie it after getting fouled attempting a three-point shot. He sunk the first two foul shots, but the third shot fell off the rim and KP escaped with the win.

McCabe led the Bulldogs with 28 points, followed by Purvis with 15, Murray with 11, and Levy with eight.

Speaking after the game, head coach Mike Devoll said he had told his team at the start of the fourth quarter that they needed a strong finish in order to get into a good frame of mind for Sunday’s game. “The players told me they could win the game,” he said. “I am so proud of them. It was the game of the year for us. They never gave up.”

Devoll said the team now knows it can beat a much taller opponent with great play in the backcourt and great pressure defense.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs hosted Old Rochester, the school at which Devoll is the principal. Earlier this season, OR defeated Canton 67-63 in overtime, and Sunday’s game was another close one.

Canton led at the half 38-33, but Old Rochester clawed its way back, tying it at 50 at the end of the third quarter. With almost four minutes to go, OR went ahead 59-57, but Canton quickly regained the lead thanks to a strong defensive effort. The game was iced when Murray got a rebound, threw a long pass to Purvis for a layup, and then McCabe connected with Murray on a similar play.

McCabe led the way with 18 points, and he also had several assists. Purvis scored 12 points and Sheehan had 11. Levy had another excellent game at point guard with nine points. Anthony Bires played well coming off the bench, scoring four points.

Old Rochester head coach Steve Carvalho admired Canton’s play down the stretch, noting its defense and overall scrappy play. “They play great defense, have some good shooters, and are getting the most out of their players,” he said.

Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs fell to North Attleboro 60-39. Devoll said several of his players were ill and did not play their regular style of play. Purvis led the offense with 10 points.

Analyzing Canton’s 4-5 record at the midway point, Devoll said he is quite pleased with the team’s development, noting the steady improvement of the starters.

“They are getting better and better each day,” Devoll said. “In past years I used to worry about all the turnovers. This year, the play has been great.”

Canton was scheduled to play Oliver Ames at home on Tuesday and will travel to Stoughton tomorrow night. The team will host Attleboro next Tuesday, January 25.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 20 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.