CANTON, Mass. –Canton senior captain Sam Larson took control of the second half in what had been a back and forth playoff matchup between the #8 seeded Canton Bulldogs and #9 Sandwich Blue Knights, leading the Bulldogs to a come from behind win, 66-57 over Scituate.
Larson, who has averaged 26 points a game in his last 10 games, led all scorers in the contest by putting up 25, and powering the Bulldogs back from a six point half time deficit in a game that saw eight lead changes, mostly in the second half.
The first quarter featured big runs for both sides as the teams eventually played to a draw in the first eight minutes, 13-13. The Bulldogs took off first, jumping out to a 10-3 lead. Canton's senior guard Matt Kelley led the way for the Bulldogs, putting in six on two out of three attempts from three-point range
The Blue Knights would not be held down for long however, responding to get within one point at 10-9 before eventually tying the scoring at 13.
The second quarter saw sloppy play in its opening moments as both teams turned the ball over frequently and failed to find the bottom of the basket. Play would pick up later in the period however, as Larson thundered home a dunk for the Bulldogs, causing the home gym to erupt as he gave his side a slim two point lead midway through the session.
The momentum would not stay with Canton for long however, as the Blue Knights finished the half on an 11-4 run to take a six point 31-25 lead into the intermission. Sandwich junior guard Joey Downes led the way in the first half, scoring 15, including two big 3's during the half time closing run.
Downes would not have in an impact in the second half however, as Canton was able to flip the script after the intermission, holding the guard scoreless in the second half.
Canton head coach Ryan Gordy praised his team's defensive effort and ability to adjust on the fly after the win.
“Downes was killing us in the first half, and we decided we were going to switch it up and go box-and-one in the second half, and in the third quarter we really shut him down, he never had an opportunity to get his game going.”
As the half began the Bulldogs came out firing, with Kelley and Tristin Morris hitting a pair of threes to tie it at 31.The sides would trade threes and free throws in the following minutes, evening the score again at 39 as Sandwich's Scotty Reels splashed in consecutive shots from behind the arc.
Canton would then take off on another run, this time scoring eight straight points to take a 44-39 lead. Morris led the way, scoring six consecutive points on a pair of three point plays, the first with one shot from behind the arc, the other with three shots from the charity stripe. They would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the period, taking a 48-42 lead into the final quarter.
Reels opened the third quarter with a bang, tying the game at 48 with two consecutive three pointers for six of his 17 points, all coming in the second half. Canon's Kelley quickly brought the Blue Knights back down to earth however, putting in a three of his own to regain a three point Canton lead.
Canton would sew up the victory as senior center Scott Olshaker rejected a lay-up attempt from Downes leading to Sam Larson converting on three free throw attempts to take a 62-54 advantage. They would go on to win 66-57.
After the game, Gordy offered a compliment the play of his 1,000-point scorer and captain Larson saying, “He's our guy, he's our star, its come to be expected of him.”
Canton will now move on to visit Bishop Feehan high school on Friday, February 28 at 6:30 pm.
Larson said his team would be prepared for the matchup. “That's what tomorrows all about, tomorrow's a work day. Tonight, we'll enjoy this one, tomorrow we'll get to work against Feehan.”
Brendan Murray can be contacted at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @MurraySportTalk.