Boys’ hoop team sweeps B-M holiday tourney

The Canton High boys’ basketball team improved its early season record to 4-1 with a sweep of the Blackstone-Millville Regional Holiday Tournament last weekend. The Bulldogs first beat Avon 82-66 Friday night and then dominated the championship game over Burrillville, Rhode Island, 73-24 Saturday night.

Senior captain Tristin Morris (Mike Barucci photo)

In the consolation game, Blackstone-Millville beat Avon 64-53, and in the opening game Burrillville defeated BM 54-38.

Canton senior captain Sam Larson and senior Matt Kelley were both named to the tournament all-star team, and Larson was named tournament MVP.

In the championship game, the Bulldogs took control from the start, racing out to a 19-0 first quarter lead. They led by 37-10 at the half and 61-19 at the end of three quarters.

“No doubt it was our best defensive game of the year,” said head coach Ryan Gordy. “We pressed right from the tip and maintained it.”

Kelley led the offense with 26 points, including eight of the team’s 13 three-pointers. Rui Depina added 10 points for Canton and Tristin Morris chipped in with seven.

Gordy emptied his bench in the second half and everyone received a lot of playing time.

In the tournament opener on Friday, Larson dominated action with a career-high 36 points and 12 rebounds and the Bulldogs led comfortably throughout.

“Sam was just relentless driving to the hoop and beating their [point guard],” said Gordy after the game. “Avon is a good, athletic team and we did a good job of beating their 3-2 zone defense.”

Kelley also had a big game, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, and Morris added 12 points.

Canton is now averaging 72 points on offense through five games and is giving up an average of 61 points. “From the beginning of the season, I knew we could score and I know we have depth,” said Gordy. “Now I know, after this tournament, we have the ability to be a good defensive team. We need to show that defensive consistency game in and game out. I would like to see us get under an average of 60 points.”

The Bulldogs will continue the road-heavy portion of their schedule with upcoming games at Attleboro this Friday, January 3; Sharon on Tuesday, January 7; and Stoughton on Friday, January 10. All games start at 6:30 p.m. Canton’s next home game is Tuesday, January 14, against Franklin.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 1 2014. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.