Photos courtesy of Jay Berkman
After back to back losses to Malone on the road and Massena at home by 3 points, the Canton JV Bears put together a couple of solid efforts the past two games against Gouverneur and Potsdam.
Last Friday evening the boys traveled to Gouverneur where they used a great deal of pressure to keep the Wildcat offense off balance and more importantly, off the scoreboard. Although the halftime score only afforded 12 points to the host Wildcats, the Bears only saw a 5 point lead, notching only 17 of their own. The second half proved to be much more fruitful as the Bears scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to come out with the 44-29 win. Parker Hurlbut was the big bear on the evening scoring 20 points while Owen Matthews tossed in 6 and Will Andes and Landon Perry each contributed 5.
On Tuesday night the Bears hosted the Potsdam Sandstoners. Again the Bears used a great deal of pressure defense to keep the visitors off of the board. After a 1 point first quarter lead at 11-10, the Bears went into the half with a slim 24-19 lead. The second half was more if the same as the pressure defense by the Bears stymied the Stoners offense only allowing 4 points in the third frame. The 10 point lead was maintained in the fourth as the Bears secured the 45-34 home victory.
Owen Matthews came up big for the Bears on offense leading the way with 10 points. Will Andes sparked the offense in the second half along with the another freshman Colden Francey. The pair drained three 3 point shots and totaled a much needed 14 points as the Bears offense struggled to find consistent scoring. Parker Hurlbut again played a solid game with 8 points and Parker Ames had 4. Other scoring for the Bears included Dan O’Neill with 3, Hayden Towle and Dan Richardson with 2 and James Trombley with a free throw.
Coach Porter commented, ” The boys have been working very hard and are making progress. We are trying to find our offensive rhythm currently but are doing some good things on the defensive end of the floor. I am looking forward the the games this weekend. I am sure we’ll face some good teams and learn some other things about ourselves.”
The Bears head to the Lake George region of NYS on Friday as they face Stillwater High School followed by a Saturday game at Queensbury High.
