Game of the Week
Boys Basketball - Canton @ Foxboro
Girls Basketball - Oliver Ames @ Stoughton
Boys Basketball - Canton @ Foxboro
In the first meeting between the two teams, Foxboro rallied from a 13-point second half deficit and used a second half surge to pull away from the Bulldogs. Now in their rematch, playoff implications and division placing is on the line.
Canton enters Friday nights contest with a chance of tying for the Davenport title with Sharon, finishing second all by themselves, or sharing second play with Foxboro. If Canton wins and Sharon loses, the two teams will tie for first place in the Davenport and the second place automatic playoff bid will disappear. If Canton wins and Sharon wins, the Bulldogs will finish sole possession of second place, but having already qualified for the post season with their wins, the automatic bid won't matter.
The automatic bid will matter big time for Foxboro, who is on the cusp of the playoff bubble heading into the game. If the Warriors can sweep the series against Canton, they will tie for second place and earn the automatic bid, something they might need heading into the game 9-10 with three games left. The action tips off Friday night at Foxboro High at 6:30.
Players to Watch
Canton - For the Bulldogs, it all starts with senior captain Sam Larson. Larson entered the week tied for the most points scored per game with Sharon's Jimmy Fritzson. He's a dual threat that can beat you on the perimeter and has no problem banging around in the paint. Larson might be at his best when he's making a move to the basket though, as his combination of size, strength, speed and finishing ability makes him a tough match up for almost anyone in the league. Complimenting Larson this season has been classmates Matt Kelley and Tristin Morris. Kelley has the ability to be absolutely lethal from three point range as he's proven at times this season and Morris can be another deep threat for the Bulldogs. Both players will need to be on their game against a scrappy Foxboro team. Beyond those three seniors, the emergence of classmate Ato Botsio has been huge for Canton in their current seven game win streak. Canton has needed someone to step up and take the reigns of the point guard role and Botsio has become that guy. Another player that has been big recently for Canton is big man Scott Olshaker, who will need to continue playing at a higher level on Friday.
Foxboro - The Warriors have plenty of names that stick out, but they're a type of team that beats you as a team. They're going to use their bench and they're going to keep you working on the defensive end of the court. Big man Cam Seeley has emerged to be the leading scorer for Foxboro this season, entering this week at 13.3 points per game. Senior Tim O'Halloran is right behind him and second on the team, averaging 10.7 at the beginning of the week. Sophomore Austin Ryan has emerged as their go-to guy at the point and he's grown each game he's played while freshman Mark Clagg has come off the bench as a much needed spark at times. His ability - and fearlessness - to shoot the three pointer have been big for the Warriors this season. Justin Zupanick, Derek Gilreath and Robby Lowey have provided strong size for Foxboro when needed and guards Nolan Rogers and Keeyon Neal have been vital role players this season.
Canton enters Friday nights contest with a chance of tying for the Davenport title with Sharon, finishing second all by themselves, or sharing second play with Foxboro. If Canton wins and Sharon loses, the two teams will tie for first place in the Davenport and the second place automatic playoff bid will disappear. If Canton wins and Sharon wins, the Bulldogs will finish sole possession of second place, but having already qualified for the post season with their wins, the automatic bid won't matter.
The automatic bid will matter big time for Foxboro, who is on the cusp of the playoff bubble heading into the game. If the Warriors can sweep the series against Canton, they will tie for second place and earn the automatic bid, something they might need heading into the game 9-10 with three games left. The action tips off Friday night at Foxboro High at 6:30.
Players to Watch
Canton - For the Bulldogs, it all starts with senior captain Sam Larson. Larson entered the week tied for the most points scored per game with Sharon's Jimmy Fritzson. He's a dual threat that can beat you on the perimeter and has no problem banging around in the paint. Larson might be at his best when he's making a move to the basket though, as his combination of size, strength, speed and finishing ability makes him a tough match up for almost anyone in the league. Complimenting Larson this season has been classmates Matt Kelley and Tristin Morris. Kelley has the ability to be absolutely lethal from three point range as he's proven at times this season and Morris can be another deep threat for the Bulldogs. Both players will need to be on their game against a scrappy Foxboro team. Beyond those three seniors, the emergence of classmate Ato Botsio has been huge for Canton in their current seven game win streak. Canton has needed someone to step up and take the reigns of the point guard role and Botsio has become that guy. Another player that has been big recently for Canton is big man Scott Olshaker, who will need to continue playing at a higher level on Friday.
Foxboro - The Warriors have plenty of names that stick out, but they're a type of team that beats you as a team. They're going to use their bench and they're going to keep you working on the defensive end of the court. Big man Cam Seeley has emerged to be the leading scorer for Foxboro this season, entering this week at 13.3 points per game. Senior Tim O'Halloran is right behind him and second on the team, averaging 10.7 at the beginning of the week. Sophomore Austin Ryan has emerged as their go-to guy at the point and he's grown each game he's played while freshman Mark Clagg has come off the bench as a much needed spark at times. His ability - and fearlessness - to shoot the three pointer have been big for the Warriors this season. Justin Zupanick, Derek Gilreath and Robby Lowey have provided strong size for Foxboro when needed and guards Nolan Rogers and Keeyon Neal have been vital role players this season.
Girls Basketball - Oliver Ames @ Stoughton
Second place in the Davenport division and the free pass to
the postseason that comes with it will be on the line Friday night at Stoughton
High as the Black Knights play host to Oliver Ames. Both teams come in with
identical 7-8 records in the league and, although both have the chance to
qualify for the tournament with or without a win on Friday, each would love to clinch
a spot without leaving it to the final games of the season.
Oh yeah, it’s also Oliver Ames versus Stoughton, which is one of the bigger rivalries in the league regardless of sport.
Both teams head into Friday’s game after impressive wins on Tuesday. The Tigers ran past league leader Sharon and Stoughton took care of business against Canton to set up this showdown. OA has played one more game than the Knights and would need to win the remaining two games on its schedule, which includes a tough matchup with one of the top seeds in D1 South Brockton, to reach the playoffs. Stoughton will have Holliston and Notre Dame (Hingham) left.
It doesn’t happen often, but it will be one big game with the winner taking second place and guaranteeing themselves a spot in the tournament and the other facing a nervous final week.
Players to Watch
Oliver Ames - Oliver Ames has been led all season by senior shooting guard Michaela Lievi, who is the second leading scorer in the Hockomock, averaging more than 14 ppg. She has the speed to get out on the break as well as the ability to step back in the half-court and knock down three-pointers. Junior forward Meg Hurley has also come on strong in the second half of the season and provided another scoring threat in transition and against smaller defenders near the basket. The big scorer on Senior Night against Sharon was senior point guard Kate Holleran, who has returned after missing more than five games in the middle of the season with an injury. Holleran gives the Tigers additional size in the backcourt, leadership, decision-making, and another shooter on the perimeter.
Stoughton - Stoughton has counted on LeiAndra Busby for its offense almost all season. The diminutive guard has the speed to take opponents off the dribble and get to the basket as well as a pull-up game to knock down shots. Senior Ashley Medeiros has been an outstanding combo guard for Stoughton with the range to knock down three-pointers but also the strength to get inside and battle on the boards and get easy baskets near the rim. Watch out for Jessica Greer too, who sits out on the perimeter and can be deadly from three as she showed earlier this season in a breakout game against Franklin. The key for Stoughton may be on the glass and that’s where senior Kayla Motley has been dominating in recent weeks, throwing up double-doubles. If Motley and Medeiros can control the boards, Stoughton will be a tough team to beat on Friday.
Oh yeah, it’s also Oliver Ames versus Stoughton, which is one of the bigger rivalries in the league regardless of sport.
Both teams head into Friday’s game after impressive wins on Tuesday. The Tigers ran past league leader Sharon and Stoughton took care of business against Canton to set up this showdown. OA has played one more game than the Knights and would need to win the remaining two games on its schedule, which includes a tough matchup with one of the top seeds in D1 South Brockton, to reach the playoffs. Stoughton will have Holliston and Notre Dame (Hingham) left.
It doesn’t happen often, but it will be one big game with the winner taking second place and guaranteeing themselves a spot in the tournament and the other facing a nervous final week.
Players to Watch
Oliver Ames - Oliver Ames has been led all season by senior shooting guard Michaela Lievi, who is the second leading scorer in the Hockomock, averaging more than 14 ppg. She has the speed to get out on the break as well as the ability to step back in the half-court and knock down three-pointers. Junior forward Meg Hurley has also come on strong in the second half of the season and provided another scoring threat in transition and against smaller defenders near the basket. The big scorer on Senior Night against Sharon was senior point guard Kate Holleran, who has returned after missing more than five games in the middle of the season with an injury. Holleran gives the Tigers additional size in the backcourt, leadership, decision-making, and another shooter on the perimeter.
Stoughton - Stoughton has counted on LeiAndra Busby for its offense almost all season. The diminutive guard has the speed to take opponents off the dribble and get to the basket as well as a pull-up game to knock down shots. Senior Ashley Medeiros has been an outstanding combo guard for Stoughton with the range to knock down three-pointers but also the strength to get inside and battle on the boards and get easy baskets near the rim. Watch out for Jessica Greer too, who sits out on the perimeter and can be deadly from three as she showed earlier this season in a breakout game against Franklin. The key for Stoughton may be on the glass and that’s where senior Kayla Motley has been dominating in recent weeks, throwing up double-doubles. If Motley and Medeiros can control the boards, Stoughton will be a tough team to beat on Friday.
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Game of the Week - The Pick
| HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Picks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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| Canton @ Foxboro Friday, 6:30 |
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| Sharon @ Milford Friday, 7:00 |
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| Stoughton @ Oliver Ames Friday, 6:30 |
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| Attleboro @ Franklin Friday, 6:45 |
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| Taunton @ King Philip Friday, 6:30 |
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| Mansfield @ North Attleboro Friday, 7:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 30-8 |
Perry 31-7 |
Antonellis 28-10 |
Merritt 25-13 |
Pickette 25-13 |
McDaniel 24-14 |
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| HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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| Hockomock Sports |
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Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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| Foxboro @ Canton Friday, 6:30 |
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| Milford @ Sharon Friday, 7:00 |
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| Oliver Ames @ Stoughton Friday, 6:30 |
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| Franklin @ Attleboro Friday, 6:30 |
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| King Philip @ Taunton Friday, 6:30 |
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| North Attleboro @ Mansfield Friday, 7:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 28-8 |
Perry 31-5 |
Antonellis 16-20 |
Merritt 22-14 |
Pickette 24-12 |
McDaniel 21-15 |
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| HockomockSports.com Hockey Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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| Hockomock Sports |
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Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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| Total | Lanigan 23-4-3 |
Perry 24-3-3 |
Antonellis 20-7-3 |
Merritt 15-12-3 |
Pickette 16-11-3 |
McDaniel 18-9-3 |
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Previous Games of the Week
January 10th, 2014: Mansfield @ Franklin Boys Basketball
January 18th, 2014: Canton @ Oliver Ames Hockey
January 24th, 2014: All Basketball & Hockey Games
January 29th, 2014: Franklin @ Mansfield Hockey
January 31st, 2014: Attleboro vs. Sharon Girls & Boys Basketball
February 7th & 8th: Mansfield @ Taunton Boys Basketball/Mansfield @ Canton Hockey
January 18th, 2014: Canton @ Oliver Ames Hockey
January 24th, 2014: All Basketball & Hockey Games
January 29th, 2014: Franklin @ Mansfield Hockey
January 31st, 2014: Attleboro vs. Sharon Girls & Boys Basketball
February 7th & 8th: Mansfield @ Taunton Boys Basketball/Mansfield @ Canton Hockey