On Dec. 27 and 28 the Golden Bears JV boys basketball team won two games in their home holiday tournament against the Massena Red Raiders and the Gouvernuer Wildcats. The Bears played great in both games, despite a slow start in the championship game against the Wildcats.
Canton 55, Massena 22
On Tuesday afternoon the 7-1 Golden Bears matched up against the Massena Red Raiders in their second meeting of the year. The last time the two teams met, Canton controlled the game and won by a final score of 58-36. This time, the Bears also handled the Red Raiders offense very well holding them to only 22 points. Canton scored 55 of their own, pounding the Raiders by a scoring margin of 33 points. The Golden Bears were led by Sophomore number 33 Jackson Ames who ended the game with 15 points and double digit rebounds. Charlie Todd also had nine for the Bears including, two triples and, contributed multiple steals for the Bears lock-down defense.
Canton 45, Gouverneur 26
After winning the game on Tuesday the Golden Bears were set to match up against a familiar Gouvernuer team in the Burkman Classic championship. The last time these two teams faced off, the Bears controlled the game and won 67-49. In a highly anticipated match up for both teams, Canton struggled offensively for the first half, putting up 22 points against Gouvernuer’s 18.
In the first quarter alone the Bears had six turnovers. But when Canton returned to the game after half, there was a whole new story to be told. Offensively the Golden Bears started to click and Sophomore Aidan Richardson started to find his teammate Jackson Ames open in the paint for great shots. The Bears started to drive hard to the basket and drew many fouls which helped them in the long run.
After half Canton’s defense also became virtually impenetrable and in the third quarter the Bears allowed only two points and between the second and third quarters they had a 10-minute streak where not one Wildcat player scored. The Bears won the game and tournament by a final score of 45-26.
Throughout the Burkman Holiday Classic coaches recognize their most outstanding players and for the Bears there were three player who made the All-Tournament team. This included Sophomore Charlie Todd, Freshman Zadok Roiger, and of course Sophomore Jackson Ames who was crowned the 2022 Burkman Classic MVP.
Plaindealer Sports 