Defensive Effort Propels Oliver Ames Boys Basketball in Win Over Canton

Oliver Ames improved to 2-1 on the young season

It wasn't smooth sailing, but the Oliver Ames boys basketball team was able to scratch and claw its way to an important Davenport Division victory Friday night in its home opener. The Tigers caged the Bulldogs in the 50-41 victory, which proved to be a defensive battle from the beginning. "I thought defensively we were good all night," Oliver Ames coach Don Byron said. "They had only 20 points in the first half and came back with an equally good second half." OA's defense held the Bulldogs in check while the offense was able to pull away with enough points to win. The effort was well-rounded. Only one Tiger, sophomore Ryan Carney (11 points), finished the game with double-digits. Nick Cidado (9 pts) St. Claire Ryan (8 pts), Andrew Reardon…

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Canton High Boys Basketball Falls to Stoughton [VIDEO]

The Black Knights beat the Bulldogs 72-52 in Stoughton.

The Canton Bulldogs fell to the Black Knights on Tuesday night. Stoughton was able to carry the positive energy from the pregame ceremony into the game and take down Canton, 72-52, improving to 15-2 on the season. Behind a monster performance from Aaron Calixte – who tallied 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists – the ­Black Knights were able to pull away in the second frame and finished with strong runs in each of the final two quarters. “I thought in the second half we were much better defensively,” Stoughton head coach John Gallivan said. “Offensively, once we started moving without the ball, we were much tougher against their half court defense, which was very good.” The previous meeting between the two teams went similarly, with the …

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Warriors Boys Basketball Get Win Against Canton

Canton High Bulldogs fell to Foxborough on Friday.

Like their previous meeting back in December, neither the Foxborough Warriors boys basketball team or the Canton Bulldogs 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 …

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Attleboro Boys Hoop Team Falls to Canton

The Attleboro High Bombardiers struggled to contain the Canton Bulldogs offense and lost a crucial Hockomock League encounter, 69-65, Wednesday night.

The Attleboro High Bombardiers lost their fourth straight game on Wednesday night against the Canton Bulldogs, 69-65. The loss puts their hopes of qualifying for the postseason in jeopardy. Attleboro were beaten at their game as the Bulldogs knocked down nine three-pointers and consistently beat the Bombardiers on the perimeter. Canton also turned Attleboro turnovers into fast-break points while handling the aggressive Bombardier defense. Attleboro Head Coach Mark Houle was disappointed with the way his team defended the three-point line while giving credit to the Bulldogs' shooters. "They did a good job of getting open shots and we didn't do a good job fighting through screens," said Houle. "They did knock down the shots, to their credit…

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Canton High Boys Basketball Falls to Stoughton [VIDEO]

The Bulldogs lost 61-38 at home Friday evening to the 9-1 Black Knights. Canton is now 6-4 on the season.

It wasn’t their flashiest performance of the season, but the Stoughton High boys basketball team pulled away in the second half to upend Canton Friday night, 61-38, in a game between the top two teams in the Hockomock League’s Davenport Division. Stoughton improves to 9-1, while the Bulldogs fall to 6-4. “I think once again, the story is defense,” Stoughton head coach John Gallivan said. “We held another team to under 40. In this league, holding anybody under 40 is a testament to the way the kids are working out there. They’re making the right decisions and they are helping each other out. It wasn’t always easy on offense but defense gives you a little time to catch your breath.” The Black Knights were fueled by a strong all-around effort …

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OA Boys Basketball Falls Short Against Canton

Canton surges past OA behind second half effort Tuesday night.

One team left Tuesday’s game at the Nixon Gymnasium with a huge momentum boost, while another found itself still stuck in a mid-season slump. Behind 19 points from senior tri-captain Joe McCabe, the Canton High boys basketball team earned a convincing 69-66 victory over Oliver Ames and improved to 6-3 on the season (3-2 Hockomock League, 2-1 Davenport). OA, however, has now lost four straight after starting the year at 5-0. The Tigers drop to 3-4 in league play and 1-2 against the small Hock. “We’ve won a lot of close games this year, and that’s because we are very resilient and have good senior leadership,” said first year Canton coach Ryan Gordy. “They’ve really bought into a new coaching style and I’m very fortunate to have those guys […

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KP Boys Basketball Holds Off Canton To Grab Seventh Win

Canton caught the Warriors off guard, but KP was able to overcome the first quarter and take the victory 83-51.

The Canton High boys' basketball team came into Wrentham on a mission. Despite the Warriors getting on the board first via two Jake Layman baskets, it was the Bulldogs that gained the upper hand in the first quarter of play. Canton held a four point lead (18-14) through the first eight minutes of play, but King Philip eventually got back to playing Warrior basketball and came away with a hard fought 83-51 victory. “I thought one of the things that we didn’t do was come out and play defense. [Canton head coach Ryan] Gordy does a great job with his team and they caught us with our heels back,” King Philip coach Sean McInnis said. “We made the adjustments on the defensive end, picked up the intensity and we really focused on rebounding and …

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Second Half Defense Helps Sharon Beat Canton Boys Basketball [VIDEO]

Sharon beat visiting Canton, 48-36, in 2011-2012 season opener Friday night.

The Sharon High School varsity boys basketball team overcame early defensive issues to beat visiting Canton High, 48-36, in the teams' 2011-2012 season opener Friday night. Canton led, 22-21, at halftime. "I'm happy with the second half, because we picked up the defensive intensity," Sharon Head Coach Bruce Jackman said. "I thought we made a lot of mental errors. I was kind of surprised, because we played four pretty good scrimmages." Sharon got 13 points and eight rebounds from sophomore guard Brian Mukasa. Senior tri-captain and center Sam D'Arcy added 10 points and 12 rebounds. Junior forward Ian Beach added six rebounds and six steals. "Sam played a fantastic game," Jackman said. "Brian did a very good job. He started making some …

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Patch Facts

Updated: Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 2

Here is what is happening in and around Canton today.

Five Things You Need to Know Today is a new Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. PJs at school? The JFK School is celebrating Read Across America Day today. Students can wear pajamas to school and bring in a book to share. 2. The Shamrock Club Senior Citizen Luncheon at the Irish Cultural Centre is happening today at noon. Enjoy a great meal and some Irish entertainment.  3. Grown ups need to have some fun, too. The Recreation Department is holding an adult volleyball game at the Galvin Middle School from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. tonight. 4. The Great Decisions Discussions Group at the Canton …

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Boys Basketball: Canton Beats Dover-Sherborn in MIAA Tournament

Canton beat D-S last night 58-46.

After going 5-15 in the regular season the Canton Bulldogs won when it mattered most beating Dover-Sherborn, 58-46, Monday night to advance further in MIAA Tournament play. The game was close throughout and the Bulldogs trailed by one point, 37-36, heading into the fourth quarter, until Canton exploded offensively in the final frame, at one point taking a 16-point lead. “You see that lead start to expand a little bit, you start to rush, you start to panic a little bit, and then you get sloppy. And then they took advantage of some sloppy play at a key moment,” said Dover-Sherborn Head Coach Rick Grady. Canton's full-court press in the fourth quarter gave D-S trouble getting the ball up past half-court. Turnovers lead to easy baskets in …

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