Bulldogs Play Spoiler in Westwood Tourney

Canton's varsity prevented the Westwood Wolverines from living another day and battling for a spot in the state tournament Tuesday night, beating the Wolverines 55-54 in the first game of the Riley Winter Classic at Westwood High School.

The (10-9), who had already recently secured their spot in the state tournament, controlled the tempo early, leading 16-2 after the first quarter. But it didn’t take long for the Wolverines to realize what was at stake for them. Emily McGrail scored seven second-quarter points to cut the Bulldog lead to 11 at the half. Westwood came out firing after the break, outscoring Canton 20-7 in the third and opened up a two-point lead of their own to round out the quarter.

“I knew that we shouldn’t be out of it and that we could fight back and it was all what the girls decided to do and they decided that they wanted the game and really worked hard,” said Westwood head coach Brianne Bognanno.

The Wolverines opened up as much as a six point lead in the fourth and tried to build off the energy of the home crowd.

Unfortunately for Bognanno’s club, the Bulldogs weren’t flustered one bit throughout a back and fourth final quarter that featured five lead changes and managed 6-7 free throws down the stretch, including 4-4 from leading scorer Olivia Murphy.

“We’re definitely a fourth-quarter team and we know how to win games when it counts,” said Canton Head Coach Kaitlin Mills. “I told them at halftime they were good athletes and to zone the crowd out and just stay focused and play their game. It was hard for them but they showed a lot of maturity tonight, especially in what seemed like a tournament setting and they came through.”

Murphy finished with eight points in the fourth quarter and 19 for the game to go along with her 13 rebounds and five steals.

“(Olivia) is a real game player,” said Mills. “She’s my number one competitor on the team and when she puts a shot up, she’s already up trying to get that rebound. She also was in foul trouble tonight and she played smart. She’s definitely learning how to play in foul trouble.”

Alana Pitts-Anaya dominated the first half for Canton, scoring 12 points and grabbing six boards. Westwood contained her to just four points and one rebound in the second half and Bognanno explained the difference.

“I think she got tired,” Bognanno said. “We were running, we were flying up and down the court and you could see her struggling getting back on defense a little bit. We tried to keep her running and that seemed to work.”

McGrail did her best to counter the Canton offense with a double-double of her own, scoring 18 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Kate Rich finished with 10 points and eight rebounds and Molly McLaughlin had 10 points, four rebounds and four steals.

Westwood will square off in the consolation game Wednesday evening against King Philip, and Bognanno is confident her girls will wrap up the season with a bang.

“They will definitely go out there and play for pride and work hard for each other, especially since the seniors have been playing together since fourth grade and this is their last game together,” she said.

Canton will battle Norwood in the finals following the Westwood game.