The Canton JV Boys Basketball team saw back to back wins in the past week. The first of which was over a much improved Gouverneur team by a score of 52 to 36 and Potsdam last evening by a score of 42-32.
The Bears opened up the game versus Gouverneur last Thursday evening with a stellar defensive effort. The intense zone pressure was too much for the visiting Wildcats as Will Andes, Owen Matthews, and Parker Hurlbut each threw in four points while Ciaran O’Brien hit a triple, Parker Ames and Dan Richardson each scored three and Sophomore captain Hayden Towle finished the scoring with a bucket, giving the Bears a 23-8 first quarter lead. The team never looked back as they went on to defeat the Cats for the second time this season. Scoring totals in the game included; Will Andes (7), Dan Richardson (7), Ciaran O’Brien (11), Hayden Towle (2), Parker Hurlbut (12), Owen Matthews (6), Dan O’Neill (2) and Parker Ames (5).
Last evening the Bears traveled the short trip down Route 11 to face the Potsdam Sandstoners. Unlike the previous game the Bears came out of the gates slowly and the Potsdam team displayed solid execution of their half court offense against the 1-3-1 pressure applied by the Bears. By the time the first quarter ended, the Bears saw only six points on the board which matched the score of the Potsdam team 6-6.
Quarter two saw the Bears come to life as their full court man to man pressure turned the Stoners over on multiple occasions. The halftime score was 20-10. The effort intensified in quarter three as the Bears opened the second half on an 18-5 run extending the lead to 38-15.
Coach Porter was able to get all 17 of his players into the game and there was contributions from all of the guys.
“I am really enjoying coaching this team,” Porter said. “Our strength is the fact that we have a lot of depth and each night someone surprises me with their play. Last night our pair of freshman guards, Will Andes and Colden Francey played really well. Parker Ames continues to improve daily and I love how hard Hayden Towle, Parker Hurlbut and Ryan Faunce play. They give everything they have every minute they are on the court. I also really like how James Trombley has worked his way into a starting position for us. He and Dan Richardson have the ability to take over games on the defensive end when they play with discipline and intensity and Owen Matthews has been playing above the rim lately. He has incredible explosiveness in his legs. We have big plans for this team in the future and if they continue to work hard, they will enjoy even more success in the future.”
Will Andes lead all scoring with 11 with other scoring coming from; James Trombley (9), Owen Matthews (9), Parker Ames (5), Ciaran O’Brien (3), Colden Francey (2), Parker Hurlbut (2), and Ryan Faunce (1).
The Bears finish their season next week with three games including; Salmon River at home on Monday (5:30) and then on the road to Massena on Tuesday and OFA on Thursday.
