Warriors Boys Basketball Get Win Against Canton

Like their previous meeting back in December, neither the Foxborough Warriors boys basketball team or the could get a comfortable lead against each other. With the largest lead of the game being five points, both teams were never more than two possessions away from tying the score or taking the lead. Unlike last time however, it was the Warriors (5-10 overall, 2-9 league) walking away with the win defeating the Bulldogs (9-6, 5-6) 54-51.

Canton got up early 8-4 but good free throw shooting from the Warriors followed by a Nick DiTullio put back gave the Warriors the lead late in the first period before quickly finding themselves down 10-9 by the end of the quarter.

The Warriors were able to stretch the lead to five midway through the second but a three pointer by Anthony Bires cut the lead back to two and another three by Tristin Mullen gave the Bulldogs an 18-17 lead. A pair of free throws gave the Bulldogs the lead going into the half although based on how the game was so far no lead was safe.

Without a dedicated scorer on their team, the Warriors have grown accustomed to having a well-rounded game. With eight of the nine players who saw game time scoring at least two points, the Warriors are getting by with a more balanced approached to scoring with the potential of one or two players breaking out each night.

“I’m happy that we’re spreading it around. We’re not limiting it to one person,” Foxborough Head Coach CJ Neely said.

Tonight the breakout player was senior captain Jeff McPherson. While only scoring two field goals, his ability to get to the line down low and try to make plays was a big part of the Warriors’ second half.

“Just his intensity in the second half I think was a big factor of why we won the game,” Neely said.

Down 46-43 midway through the fourth quarter, the Warriors went on an 8-0 run to take a five point lead with a little more than 2:30 left in the game. Already in foul trouble in a tightly called game, the Bulldogs were forced to play with caution to avoid further trouble.

“I thought a lot of touch fouls were called that kinda didn’t let the kids play,” Canton Coach Ryan Gordy said. “When you have to teach your kids to play with referees it's a whole different world.”

Up by one with 14 seconds to play, McPherson had a chance to put Foxborough up by three at the free throw line but could only make one of two. Joe McCabe tried to push the Bulldogs up the court off the rebound but a charging call into Brian Ellard returned posession to the Warriors with 8.9 seconds left and gave McCabe his fifth and final foul of the night.

The Bulldogs would get to the free throw line still only down by two but Anthony Bries could not make either attempt as Foxborough walked away with a three point win after an additional McPherson free throw.

The win gives Foxborough their second victory in three tries. The upset against the rising Bulldogs shows an improving Warrior team that is challenging squads much more than they were earlier in the year.

“The team is playing well together. Guys know their roles. Their taking pride in the little things,” said Neely.

Josh Patkin had a game high 15 points for the Warriors. After going scoreless in the first half, Patkin found his scoring touch getting six points in the third quarter and nine more in the fourth.

“That’s what we expected to get out of Josh coming into this year,” Neely said.

McPherson ended the game with 12 points and seven rebounds. Nick DiTullo had eight points.

Sam Larson scored 12 points for the Bulldogs while Chris Murray scored 10.

The Warriors will enjoy a break before taking on Sharon Feb. 7, while the Bulldogs face Southeastern Regional High School on February 6.