Boys Basketball
North Attleboro, 64 vs. Marshfield, 54 – Final – North Attleboro had four players in double figures to score an upset win over playoff-bound Marshfield in the first round of the Weymouth Invitational. The Rocketeers built a 25-21 lead at halftime before erupting for 20 points in the third quarter to extend its lead to double digits, 45-35, going into the fourth. Derek Maceda hit a trio of three-pointers for a team-high 15 points along with eight rebounds, Givany Carney anchored the offense early with 13 of his 15 points in the first half and snagged seven rebounds, sophomore Jonnie Obuchowski added 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, and sophomore Chase Frisoli chipped in with 10 points and eight boards. Senior Jack Munley (seven points, five rebounds) had a pair of huge offensive rebounds in the final four minutes, both leading to points to keep North ahead. After Marshfield cut the deficit to one, 53-52, with under a minute to go, Maceda, Frisoli, Obuchowski, and Chris Hanewich converted from the free throw line to clinch the win.
Sharon, 57 vs. Dedham, 42 – Final – Sharon sank five three-pointers in a 21-point first quarter and never looked back in a comfortable win over Dedham in a first round matchup of the Dudley Davenport Classic. Ryan Brown hit a pair of threes in the first on his way to a career-high 12 points while Matt Baur, Jacob McLoughlin, and Tyler Goodman (10 points) also hit from deep to give the Eagles a double-digit lead after eight minutes. Jack Bates added two more threes in the second as Sharon staked a 35-17 lead at halftime. Junior Nate Katznelson finished with a team-high 13 points for the Eagles.
Girls Basketball
Canton, 41 vs. Falmouth, 40 – Final (OT) – Erin Beatty hit a layup as time expired in overtime to send Canton to the final of the Riley Classic at Westwood High. Falmouth stormed back at the end of regulation, hitting three straight triples to tie the game. After the Bulldogs missed a chance at winning the game, Falmouth got to the line with two seconds remaining but couldn’t hit the front end of a one-on-one, so the game went to overtime. Canton was down a point with eight seconds left. After a timeout, Beatty cut to the basket and scored as time expired. Marissa Staffiere knocked down three shots from beyond the arc and finished with 10 points. Beatty added seven and Han Hong had six points in the win.
Boys Basketball
North Attleboro, 48 @ Bishop Feehan, 68 – Final
Girls Basketball
Canton, 32 @ Oliver Ames, 47 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Kamryn Derba scored a game-high 20 points, including a dagger three from a couple feet behind the line with a minute to play, securing OA a win that brings its record back to .500 on the season. The Tigers grabbed the lead with a 6-0 run at the end of the first to lead 12-6. Derba had a pair of buckets and Sarah Hilliard (five points) got two points in the run. Fatima Sidibay scored all seven of Canton’s points in the second, but Avery Gamble scored four points and the Tigers went on an 8-0 run to close out the half with a 24-13 advantage. The third quarter was nearly even, as OA added two points to its lead. Sidibay scored four and Samya DaSilva drilled a three for her first bucket of the night. Derba caught fire in the third, with a tough floater, a deep three, and seven of OA’s 11 points. Derba added another seven in the fourth, as the Tigers tried to pull away. Emily McCabe (five points) tried to keep Canton close with a late, banked three, and Sidibay added five more points to finish with a career-high 16. Gamble (eight rebounds) had four of her 11 points in the fourth, including a tough drive in the closing minute, before Derba put it away with a long-range effort. Erin Beatty pulled down 12 rebounds for Canton, which also got its first start of the season from senior guard Marissa Staffiere.
Milford, 33 vs. Hopedale, 37 – Final
Indoor Track
Hockomock League Championships (@ the TRACK at New Balance) – Results and a large photo gallery coming on Friday.
Oliver Ames is coming off a Div. 2 state title, but the Tigers will face a tough challenge to repeat as league champ this winter. Read our full team-by-team previews below. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2021-2022 Record: 16-7 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Brianna Bracken
Former Attleboro standout Bri Bracken took over the coaching duties late in the preseason a year ago, but she stepped right into her first varsity job and led the Bombardiers to a 16-win season and a return to the state tournament. The graduation of top scorer Meg Gordon will be tough to replace, but the Bombardiers have a versatile lineup and a focus on the defensive side of the ball that still makes them a tough challenge even for the top teams in the league.
Attleboro returns only two starters from last season. Junior Kayla Goldrick impressed in her first two years on varsity, playing on the wing or as the primary ball-handler. Her control on both sides of the ball will be critical this season. Senior Lily Routhier, who transferred from Wheelock last year, is a strong rebounder and can score in multiple ways around the paint. Sophomore Vanessa Ellis wasn’t a starter for most of last year, but she came through with some big games down the stretch, scoring in bunches around the rim and being a force on the glass.
An injury to junior Rylie Camacho will deprive the Bombardiers of one of their best perimeter shooters, but Bracken will be hoping that juniors Merry Bosh and Molly Moore and sophomore Avery James can step into bigger roles in the backcourt and add scoring punch. Senior Sarah Maher is going to have a bigger role on both ends this season, bringing the energy and intensity every game. This will be a different look from last year, as the Bombardiers will have different go-to players every night.
“We have a great mix of experience and youth,” Bracken said. “We are excited about what lies ahead. Practices have been intense and the girls have been working really hard.”
2021-2022 Record: 16-7 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Quarterfinal Coach: Jim Choquette
How do you move on from graduating not just one but three of the best players in program history? That will be the challenge for Canton coach Jim Choquette this season, as the Bulldogs are coming off a winter that included a rare home playoff game and a trip to the Div. 2 quarterfinals and return a group of players that have experience but will need to step into bigger roles this year.
There is a veteran core that the Bulldogs will be relying on. Senior forward Samya DaSilva can score in the paint and knock down shots from the perimeter, while classmate Erin Beatty has been a force on the boards and brings a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. Senior guards Emily McCabe, Marissa Staffiere, and Han Hong all can run the point and are strong defensive players who will be tasked with keeping the ball moving for Canton on offense to find the best shot.
In addition to those familiar faces, juniors Fatima Sidibay and Jess Wright will provide additional athleticism in the frontcourt. Junior Mercia Kolokithas can stretch defenses with her perimeter shooting and sophomore Sally Hoban will provide depth on the wing along with Ava McCoole. Deanna Kolokithas is another newcomer to watch this season, as she can give Canton a boost at point guard, allowing the veteran guards to move off the ball.
“Every season is different, even if you have similar players,” Choquette explained. “We have spoken about that this year and I’ve encouraged our team to write their own narrative, what they want, how they want to get it, and the sacrifices they’re willing to make to accomplish it. I’m so excited to see how we respond as coaches to help them and as players to achieve.”
2021-2022 Record: 14-8 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Sweet Sixteen Coach: Lisa Downs
While head coach Lisa Downs knew there would be some growing pains for a roster loaded with underclassmen, Foxboro was not only building for the future in 2021-22 but showing that it could already compete with the league’s top teams. This season, adding a year of experience to their talented core, the Warriors will be aiming to get back to the top of the Davenport division and make a run in the state tournament.
The backcourt was the key for Foxboro last winter. Sophomore Kailey Sullivan burst onto the scene and was the rare freshman that could lead a team in scoring and also look right at home running the point against the tough defenses in the Hock. Junior Camryn Collins finished just behind Sullivan in the scoring charts, but her handle, her athleticism, and her ability to read the game made her an impact player on both ends of the court. Add in junior Erin Foley’s tenacity on the defensive end and it is a backcourt that can cause any team problems from baseline to baseline.
Foxboro also got solid contributions in the front court from sophomore Ava Hill, who looked increasingly comfortable as the season wore on, and junior Isabelle Chamberlin. Sophomore Adie Ruter will be a new piece to the puzzle this season. The 6-foot-2 center gives a new dimension to the Warriors’ offense and her development in the off-season has her poised for a breakout year. Freshmen Kylie Sampson and Adrianna Porazzo continue the tradition of underclassmen jumping right onto varsity with an opportunity to contribute.
“I’m anxious to get started working with this team,” Downs said. “I really envision a pretty high ceiling once we get established. We will continue the Foxboro team culture of hard work on defense and team play on offense, so it will be pretty exciting to see what they are able to accomplish.”
2021-2022 Record: 22-2 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Quarterfinal Coach: John Leighton
Franklin has dominated the Kelley-Rex division for the past four years, which included a state title run as well, but with a lot of new faces jumping into the lineup this season, the league title race could be a lot closer this winter. The Panthers may not be able to overwhelm teams with size like they have in past few years, but an athletic core of players returns to play typically tough defense and get out and run on the break.
The focal point this season will be senior forward Katie Peterson. After a breakout junior year in which she led the team in scoring, the UMass girls lacrosse commit comes back as one of the top wings in the league. Her athleticism will be critical on both ends of the floor. Senior guard Bridget Leo is also back to run the offense and will be one of the team’s top perimeter defenders. Senior Lizzie Newman emerged last season as a solid rebounder and post defender and her outside shooting could be a major factor.
There are also several players who stepped in at times last year that will need to take on bigger roles for the Panthers this season. Junior Sasha Tracey gives Franklin good length on the wing and adds another athlete that can get out on the break and finish. Her improved outside shot will also help stretch defenses. Sophomore Chloe Fales is a newcomer to watch with her athleticism and ability to score at multiple levels.
“This team is working to find its identity and play unselfish basketball,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “I have been very impressed with the leadership of our seniors who have stepped up and provided mentorship to our younger players to speed their integration into the team.”
2021-2022 Record: 11-11 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Jeff Miszkiewicz
Only the two division winners allowed fewer points per game than King Philip last season, as the Warriors focused on strong half court defense under first-year coach Jeff Miszkiewicz. Defense will remain key for KP this season, but there is also an effort to bring more balance to an offense that struggled to keep up with some of the top teams in the Hock. With a year of experience in the new system, the Warriors will be looking to provide a challenge to Franklin and Oliver Ames in the Kelley-Rex.
Senior center Emily Sawyer has developed into a force on both ends of the floor and her presence in the paint will be a major piece of KP’s play this year. An almost automatic double-double every night, Sawyer has improved her offense every year and remains an imposing shot blocker and disruptor on defense. Fellow senior Jackie Bonner will give KP much-needed balance on offense with her ability to shoot from distance and take defenders off the dribble. KP looked like a different team when she went down with an injury last season.
While Bonner and Sawyer get a lot of the attention, KP has solid depth in both the front and backcourt. Senior guard Leah Santoro gives the Warriors a tenacious perimeter defender and junior Jordan Bennett runs the offense well at the point and showed flashes of being a threat from three-point range. Junior forward Maddie Paschke provides energy, rebounding, and finishing in the paint, and classmate Kylie Watson continues to improve on shot-making both in the paint and from the outside.
Miszkiewicz is also counting on several new faces to add to his squad this season. “They all bring something different to the court and have a chance to really impact games this year,” he said. “We can score on all three levels consistently, so we look to attack any advantages that we can get. Last year, we prided ourselves on playing tough, gritty defense. We try to make every shot difficult and hold teams to one shot.”
2021-2022 Record: 12-11 2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32 Coach: Heather McPherson
Mansfield will play in the Davenport division for the first time this winter and, with only three players graduating from last year’s playoff team and both of its leading scorers back, there are hopes that this could be a title-winning debut for the Hornets.
Senior Abby Wager is the team’s top scorer from a year ago and the athletic wing will be the focal point for most teams defensively this year. The Southern New Hampshire-commit causes problems on both ends of the floor with her length and speed and her addition of different facets to her offensive game. If teams want to extend out to the perimeter, Mansfield can also hurt them in the paint with junior forward Kara Santos, who emerged as a consistent scorer on the block.
Experience should be no problem for the Hornets, who have a host of players that gained valuable experience last season. In the backcourt, seniors Olivia Salisbury and Bridget Hanley can run the point and step up with big scoring nights when needed. Senior Natalya Gill was instant offense off the bench for the Hornets, while classmate Rose Maher can knock down big shots from the outside. Senior Brooke Butler gives the Hornets another strong rebounder and paint presence.
“Extremely excited for the season,” said McPherson. “The level of focus and pace that we have committed to this preseason makes me extremely excited for the season with these girls!”
2021-2022 Record: 5-14 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: TJ Dolliver
Milford brings back five seniors from last year’s team, including a pair of four-year varsity players at captain, which the Hawks hope can provide the leadership for a move up the Kelley-Rex standings. After winning five games a year ago, Milford continues to set its sights on getting back into the playoff picture.
Senior forward Emily Croteau is an all-energy player at forward and will be one of the players that Milford counts on at both ends of the floor. She crashes the boards, defends, and her hustle is infectious. Classmate Brooke Ferreira is more of a calming presence in the backcourt, getting the Hawks into their sets and knocking down shots on the perimeter. Fellow seniors Molly Hartman and Aliza Syed will add experience and strength in the paint.
Junior forward Khatrina Leger could be ready for a breakout year after impressing in flashes as a sophomore. Leger used her athleticism to keep possessions alive and was able to get creative with her finishing around the rim. Classmate Erin Michelson uses her length on the wing to cause problems on the defensive side and junior Maeve Driscoll can come into the game and make some big shots on the perimeter.
“We have a lot of versatile players with different skills so our offense and defense is going to rely on execution during the games,” said Milford coach TJ Dolliver. “I have a great group of girls who are ready to compete on a daily basis. We have a lot of room to grow and I am looking forward to seeing where it takes us.”
2021-2022 Record: 4-16 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Nikki Correia
North Attleboro incorporated plenty of youth into last year’s rotation and those young players will need to be ready from the start this winter because the Rocketeers are only returning four varsity players from 2021-22 and have as many underclassmen (four) as seniors on this year’s team. It is a guard-heavy rotation, which fits into head coach Nikki Correia’s preferred up-tempo style, but there will be a learning curve for a relatively inexperienced group.
Senior Ava McKeon will be the leader on the court for North this season. A four-year varsity player, McKeon gives the Rocketeers an edge with her tenacity, toughness, and athleticism. The rest of the team can feed off the energy that she provides on both ends of the court. Sophomore guards Sam Faria and Sam Sweeney both showed as rookies that they can knock down shots from the outside, but need to be more consistent to take the North offense to the next level. Classmate Maryellen Charette also impressed at times as a freshman and could be ready for a breakout year at forward. Confidence will be important for the younger players to meet the expectations that come from being regular starters.
North has added some new faces to the roster this year to contribute off the bench and give teams different looks. Senior guard Emma Hanwell and forwards Kylie James and Kayla Dominique, as well as junior forward Katie Corsetti will make the jump up from the JV team this season. Freshman guard Ella McLaughlin is another player with the potential to make instant contributions.
“I think our strengths on offense will be our quick guard play,” Correia said. “Our offense seems to be a little more organized and the guards are able to control the tempo. I am really looking forward to the season with this group of players. We are young and have so much potential to really surprise some opponents this year.”
2021-2022 Record: 22-3 (Davenport champions) 2021-2022 Finish: Won Div. 2 state title Coach: Brittany Engle
The defending Div. 2 state champions are going to have a very different look this season. Not only did Oliver Ames lose its top two scorers (Caroline Peper to graduation and Jasmyn Cooper to transfer) but also saw the retirement of legendary coach Laney Clement-Holbrook after more than four decades in charge. OA has turned to former assistant coach Brittany Engle, who is also a 1,000-point scorer and former state champ for the Tigers, who inherits a roster with only four returning players from last season.
Junior guard Kaydance Derba is the team’s top returning scorer and is one of the best long-range shooters in the league. Her length, her passing, and her ball-handling will all be critical for a team that is going to rely on a lot of relatively inexperienced players. Classmate Sarah Hilliard might be ready for a breakout season. The junior forward showed flashes of being a dominant post player last year, coming up with huge games on both ends of the floor during OA’s tournament run and her athleticism is a tough matchup for most teams.
A pair of seniors round out the returning players. Maddie Homer, who was voted volleyball MVP this fall, missed time last year due to injury but she came back to play a role in the state title game win against Norwood. She brings a lot of intensity on the defensive end and is another solid ball-handler that can get the Tigers into their sets. Classmate Grace Dupill will bring more athleticism to the forward position and leadership for a young squad that wants to challenge Franklin for the Kelley-Rex title.
“I’m excited for the season,” Engle said. “We’ve got a lot of good athletes who work hard, and are coachable and competitive. Coming off of a state title, expectations are high, but measured. This is a different team, but one with a lot of potential.”
2021-2022 Record: 4-16 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Matt DellaBarba
Coming off a four-win season, Sharon returns four starters and nine players from last year’s roster, intent on making a move up the standings in the Davenport division. There is a change on the sidelines, with former Plymouth South coach Matt DellaBarba taking over this season and he will be hoping to utilize the experience that the Eagles have to make a run at a potential playoff spot.
Most of the focus this winter will be on junior center Jasmine Davis. After a stellar first varsity season in which she introduced herself with a 30-point, 20-rebound debut against Milford, Davis was one of the most prolific post players in the league as a sophomore. Sharon can take advantage of the attention Davis will draw to create shooting space for classmate Rachael Hager, who can force defenses to stay home with her ability to knock down shots from distance. Senior Tess Letendre and junior Eva Poulton round out the returning starters and both are solid ball-handlers and defenders in the backcourt and give the Eagles balance on both ends of the floor.
There is going to be plenty of experience coming off the bench for Sharon as well. In the backcourt, senior Clara Armon and juniors Carmen Leonardi and Natalie David will give the Eagles good energy and aggressiveness. Seniors Samantha Dunham and Emily Freeman add depth, rebounding, and solid defense in the front court. DellaBarba wants to make sure all of his players are threats to score on offense and communicate well in his team defense scheme.
“Being completely new to the Hockomock League I’m not entirely sure what to expect in my first season in the league,” DellaBarba said. “I know year in and year out the Hockomock League is one of the most competitive leagues in the state, so our focus right now is making sure we’re approaching every practice and game with energy and giving maximum effort in every opportunity that we receive.”
2021-2022 Record: 1-19 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Eric Adams
Stoughton had its struggles in 2021-22, winning just one game, but the Black Knights are in the process of rebuilding through youth. With former assistant Eric Adams taking over for Charmaine Steele Jordan this winter, Stoughton will have continuity on the sidelines despite the coaching change and that should be a boost for a lineup that features only two seniors.
While young, Stoughton does have some varsity experience to call on. Senior guards Andrea Khouzami and Anna Hobbs will provide much-needed leadership in the backcourt. Junior Maiya Merritt is a quick guard who can get into the lane and sophomore Raina Tat showed that she has the ability to stretch defenses with her range, and the confidence to not pass up an open look.
In the front court, junior Alyssa Edwards is a three-sport athlete and she uses her strength and quickness to good effect on both ends of the court. Junior Katrina Varnum gives Stoughton a rim protector and a solid rebounder to protect the paint, while she also showed increasing confidence as a finisher around the rim. Sophomore Leah McCarty returns to give more depth on the block. Stoughton also has four freshmen on the roster, guards Kristen McKay, Molly Fox, Isabel Belmonte, and Cecelia Squires, who could be stepping in and getting minutes right away.
“This team is a young team; two seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, and four freshmen,” Adams explained. “This year is going to be a building year and we are eager to grow as a program.”
2021-2022 Record: 4-16 2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Gretchen Rodrigues
The transfer of the league’s leading scorer from last year, Kameron St. Pierre, will be a big challenge for Taunton this season. Losing more than 20 points per game, nearly half of the team’s nightly output, will obviously require more than just one or two players to step up. First-year coach Gretchen Rodrigues is counting on her team’s athleticism and focusing on the defensive end of the floor first to get the Tigers out and running this season.
Junior point guard Cali Melo will be a key player for the Tigers in this system, not only setting the pace for the team but also providing the energy on the defensive side of the floor. Melo is a tenacious defender and rebounder and will be like a coach on the floor. Junior guard Lexi Haywood provides long-distance shooting for the Tigers and is one of the players that could benefit from a few more touches on the offensive end. Sophomore Jillian Doherty gives Taunton more speed and finishing on the break and senior McMina Clermont adds more vocal leadership, defense, and rebounding.
While a lot of the focus is on the outgoing players, Taunton also got a transfer in who could be a major factor in the paint this season. Sophomore Skylar McCrohan has come from Somerset Berkley and Rodrigues will be counting on her crashing the boards and getting buckets in the post. Freshman Taryn Campbell is a quick guard and solid shooter, who will come in and contribute right away.
“We are going to push the ball, play hard all the time, play unselfish, and be in great shape,” Rodrigues said. “My style is up and down, pressure a lot, and utilize all 94 feet.“
Boys Soccer
Taunton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – North Attleboro scored two goals in the first half and added a key insurance goal with 15 minutes to play to pick up two points with a 3-0 win over Taunton. Carson Dameron found Zach Smahi for the opener in the 15th minute to put the hosts ahead. The Rocketeers continued to push and just beyond the midway point, a cross from Bryce Newth was knocked in as an own goal. North carried its 2-0 lead into halftime and beyond before Newth set up Givany Carney in the area and he picked out the top left side to make it 3-0. North head coach Mike Lacasse praised his squad for another good defensive effort and strong performances in goal from both Owen Goeller and Cole Tempin, who combined for the shutout.
Girls Soccer
Canton, 1 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Each team scored once in the first half and the Sharon defense held off waves of Canton attacks in the second to earn both teams a point. Emily McCabe opened the scoring for Canton running onto a ball in the channel from right back Kristina Keefe. McCabe beat her marker to the ball, shielded it, and then was able to cut onto her left and score. With 15 minutes left in the half, Sofia Goclowski curled a cross into the box from the left. Canton’s defense couldn’t clear it cleanly and Jessica Li pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the six to make it 1-1. Keefe kept it tied at the break when she cleared off the line after a Sharon corner. The second half was mostly played in Sharon’s defensive half of the field, as Canton pressed for the winner but the Eagles held firm behind the play of Jordanna Morris, Claire Baur, and Meghan Weibe. Autumn Simon also made a stunning fingertip save to deny Mekhala Costello, who nodded Paige Sullivan’s corner just under the bar. Marissa Staffiere was largely a spectator in the Canton goal, but Sharon tested her with two late chances as Carly Pinnix and Olivia Landstein forced saves in the final five minutes.
Football
King Philip, 14 @ Attleboro, 7 – Final 1Q: (KP) Kyle Abbott 46-yard rush, Matt Kelley XP good.
2Q: No scoring.
3Q: (KP) Will Astorino 32-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good.
4Q: (A) Matt Harvie 33-yard pass to Anthony Salviati, Josue Salguero XP good.
Canton, 7 @ Oliver Ames, 19 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game. 1st Quarter: (OA) Chad Silva 3-yard rush, Nick Ferrini XP good; (OA) Wayne Casey 21-yard pass to C. Silva, XP blocked.
2nd Quarter: (C) Godson Ofonagoro 13-yard rush, Hayden Rose XP good; (OA) W. Casey 10-yard pass to C. Silva, Conversion no good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: No scoring.
Foxboro, 31 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Click here for a Recap and Photo Gallery from this game. 1Q: (F) Lincoln Moore 1-yard rush, Sam Carpenter XP good.
2Q: (F) L. Moore 2-yard rush, S. Carpenter XP good; (F) Mike Marcucella 29-yard pass to Nolan Gordon, S. Carpenter XP good; (F) T. Marcucella 9-yard pass to Jaden Becker, S. Carpenter XP good.
3Q: (F) S. Carpenter 30-yard field goal.
4Q: No scoring.
Franklin, 35 @ Taunton, 14 – Final 1Q: (T) Malachi Johnson 8-yard rush, Sete Deletoile XP good; (F) Jase Lyons 12-yard pass to Derek Dubriske, Garrett Portesi XP good; (T) Bryan Batista 1-yard rush, S. Deletoile XP good.
2Q: (F) J. Lyons 25-yard pass to Luke Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
3Q: (F) J. Lyons 61-yard pass to L. Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
4Q: (F) J. Lyons 13-yard rush, G. Portesi XP good; (F) L. Davis 30-yard interception return, G. Portesi XP good.
Mansfield, 24 @ Haverford (PA), 14 – Final 1st Quarter: (M) Conner Zukowski 25-yard pass to Trevor Foley, Travis Hennessey XP good; (M) C. Zukowski 20-yard pass to T. Foley, T. Hennessey XP good.
2nd Quarter: (H) Wright 1-yard rush, XP no good; (M) C. Zukowski 6-yard pass to T. Foley, T. Hennessey XP good.
3rd Quarter: (H) Wright 8-yard pass to Marciano, 2-point conversion good.
4th Quarter: (M) T. Hennessey 21-yard field goal.
North Attleboro, 15 @ Milford, 33 – Final 1Q: No scoring.
2Q: (M) Evan Cornelius 1-yard rush, XP failed; (M) Nicholas Araujo 43-yard field goal.
3Q: (M) N. Araujo 40-yard field goal; (NA) Greg Berthiaume blocked punt fumble recovery in the end zone, G. Berthiaume 2pt rush; (NA) Nathan Shultz 17-yard rush, Austin Clemente XP good.
4Q: (M) E. Cornelius 16-yard rush, N. Araujo XP good; (M) E. Cornelius 24-yard rush, N. Araujo XP good; (M) Romeo Holland 26-yard rush, N. Araujo XP good.
Sharon, 36 vs. Roxbury Prep, 0 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. 1Q: (S) Liam Conway 3-yard rush, Jace McCarron XP good; (S) L. Conway 12-yard pass to Anthony Piron, J. McCarron XP good.
2Q: (S) Mason Lelling 30-yard interception return, 2pt rush failed; (S) Safety; (S) L. Conway 20-yard pass to Kyle Samuels, J. McCarron XP good; (S) Gabe Korn 8-yard rush, J. McCarron XP good.
3Q: No scoring.
4Q: No scoring.
Boys Soccer
Attleboro, 2 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final
Milford, 2 @ Franklin, 1 – Final – A strong first half resulted in a pair of goals for the visiting Hawks, and that proved to be enough to secure a key two points on the road to pull into a first place tie with Franklin. Nick Ribeiro’s cross found Eduardo Santana for the opening goal of the game, and Milford doubled its lead when John Borges played Jonny Tacuri Castro in to make it 2-0. Milford played the final 20 minutes down a man after a red card, and Franklin cashed in just moments later when Rex Cinelli finished a free kick from Noah Cain, but the visitors were able to play out the rest of the game with the lead. Lucas Fernandes had a strong game, including a massive second half save to preserve the lead.
Taunton, 1 @ King Philip, 2 – Final – King Philip rallied for a pair of second half goals to earn a win on its senior night. The visiting Tigers took the lead in the 12th minute on a penalty kick, and carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime. Just under 10 minutes into the second half, the Warriors pulled level as Matt Crago finished off a feed from Will Bowen on a set piece to make it 1-1. Just minutes later, Colin Dervin set up Bowen for what turned out to be the game-winner. Connor O’Reilly made six saves in net for the win.
Girls Soccer
Canton, 2 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Mansfield and Canton split four goals and each team walked away with a point. Mekhala Costello opened the scoring from the penalty spot, after drawing a foul in the box, but Kara Santos equalized for the Hornets off an Olivia Dunham corner. Alexandra Fernandes gave Mansfield the lead off a Meghan McCann assist, but Emily McCabe would score Canton’s second penalty of the game to level the score. Canton keeper Marissa Staffiere made a great save on a blast from Avery Hawthorne in the closing minutes to preserve the draw, and made several crucial stops throughout the afternoon. Canton coach Idris Senyonjo said it was a game that either team could have won and that a draw felt like a fair result in an even match.
Foxboro, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this match. OA scored three times in the second half, including a pair of Mary Cross goals, to earn its ninth straight win. In a first half with very few chances, Emma Gavin provided a moment of class to put the Tigers in front. Just three minutes before halftime, Gavin pressed the Foxboro defense, stole the ball, and fired a 25-yard shot off the bar and in. Jolie Diaz almost doubled the lead seconds later but Allie Sougaris made a nice save and Jenna Gilman hit the rebound over the bar. One minute after the break, OA grabbed a second. Diaz hit a cross from the right that landed in the six, took a bounce off a defender, and then appeared to go off Gilman’s face and in. Eight minutes later, Sophia Byron’s corner was knocked down in the box by freshman Caroline Bowers and Mary Cross pounced on the loose ball. In the 64th minute, Byron again delivered a great corner that dropped in the box. Cross was on hand to knock in the loose ball for her brace. Erin Foley came closest for the Warriors with a quickly taken free kick that went just over the bar.
Franklin, 3 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Franklin scored late in the first half and added a pair of late goals to pull out the road win. Caitlyn Bruno opened the scoring with three minutes left in the first half, from a Chloe Stavely assist. Olivia Costa had a brace in the second half for the Panthers. Anya Zub and Bridget Leo had the assists. Rachel Welch and Hailey Aniki combined for six saves and a clean sheet. Milford coach Lou Colabello praised his team’s performance against one of the league’s elite, taking a lot of positives from the game. He noted the play of freshman Kaleigh Tourtelot, who impressed in only her third varsity game in goal.
King Philip, 6 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Heidi Lawrence and Makayla Thompson each scored twice to lead the Warriors to a big road win. Lawrence opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game, finishing off a diagonal pass from Ella Pisani. Thompson scored three minutes later on a corner from Danielle Gresham. Dani Lomuscio made it 3-0, taking a pass from Gresham and finding the net from 20 yards. Ilah Weiblen scored her first varsity goal with 15 minutes to go before the break. Kylie Menendez had the assist on the fourth goal. Lawrence got her second, again from Pisani, seven minutes after halftime and Thompson added a second goal from a corner, this time after a short pass from Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn.
Field Hockey
Franklin, 14 @ Milford, 0 – Final
Volleyball
Oliver Ames, 3 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames picked up its third win of the week, sweeping visiting Bridgewater-Raynham in straight sets, 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20). Junior Rachel Fleischman gave the Tigers a big boost with a strong defensive effort (12 digs) while adding three aces. Sophomore Clare Kavoulis dished out 34 assists in the win with Sarah Hilliard (14 kills) leading the offense. Maddie Homer added 30 digs and sophomore Ava Barth added 10 digs and four aces.
King Philip, 3 vs. Medway, 0 – Final – King Philip made is nine in a row, defending home court against non-league foe Medway with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-12) win. Ahunna James had a strong all-around game with eight digs, seven kills, and four aces, both Emily Sawyer (seven kills) and Sami Shore (six kills) played well at the net, and junior Ava Kelley chipped in with six digs.
Stoughton, 1 @ Canton, 3 – Final – The Bulldogs secured their second win of the week, pulling out a close win in the fourth set to fend off a feisty Stoughton squad, 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 28-26). Jess Wright had a big day for the hosts, recording 17 kills to pace the offense while Sally Hoban added nine kills for the Bulldogs. Zoe Scibelli continued to anchor the Canton defense with 25 digs and added three aces. Charlotte Clyve gave the Bulldogs a big boost off the bench with a few big kills.
Taunton vs. New Bedford, 4:00
Golf
Oliver Ames, 171 @ Foxboro, 173 – Final – Oliver Ames tackled the tough course at Foxboro Country Club and a strong Foxboro squad to grab a close 171-173 win, clinching at least a share of the Davenport division title, the program’s first division title since 2018 and first Davenport crown since 2015. Junior Sean Kearns fired a 39 to lead the Tigers, sharing medalist honors with Foxboro’s Patrick Callahan (five pars, one birdie). David Rodgers added a 42, Daniel Paul chipped in with a 44, and Braden Shapiro capped his strong week with a 46. Reese Curreri and Louis Carangelo each shot a 44 and Mat Sullivan finished at 46 for the Warriors. Oliver Ames travels to Mansfield on Tuesday with a chance to clinch the division title outright with a win.
For the second time in a week, Canton rallied from a goal down in the second half and sealed a win thanks to a Mekhala Costello goal, this time beating Franklin 2-1. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – Over the weekend, Canton played a tough, physical game against division rival Oliver Ames. It was Canton’s first loss of the season. Just a few days later, on Wednesday night at WWII Veterans Memorial Field, the Bulldogs had another competitive, physical encounter against division-leading Franklin.
This time, the Bulldogs started the game without leading scorer Emily McCabe. The senior forward was nursing an injury and would likely only be able to play a half, so head coach Idris Senyonjo left her out of the starting lineup. Canton struggled without the focal point of its attack, but McCabe emerged in the second half and sparked a massive turnaround.
With McCabe up front for the final 40 minutes, Canton put the pressure on the Panthers, rallying from a goal down for the second time in a week and pulling out a 2-1 victory.
“She hasn’t trained all week, so I was going to either play her first half or second half,” Senyonjo explained. “Bringing her on in the second half would give them something different to think about. Em gives them a whole different dimension of what they’re going to have to worry about.”
It didn’t take long for McCabe to make her presence felt. She immediately charged at the Franklin back line and pressed center backs Norah Anderson and Lily Deforge (who was playing in the middle in place of injured junior Maddie Horton). McCabe added a different dimension to the attack, drawing attention and freeing up space on the wings, as both Emma Cahill and Caira McKinney looked dangerous after the break.
Twelve minutes into the second half, it was McCabe that would get the equalizer. She clipped a ball up over the defense from just outside the penalty area and then burst through a pair of defenders to get clean through on goal. She was just able to get a toe on the loose ball and poke it past onrushing Franklin keeper Rachel Welch.
“We knew it was going to be an aggressive game and we had to stick to the game plan,” Senyonjo said. “The idea was, if we could put their defense under pressure, we’re going to force them to make mistakes.”
Not only had Canton stemmed the tide of Franklin attacks, which was the story of the opening 40 minutes, but now the Bulldogs were taking control of the action in the midfield through Paige Sullivan and Mekhala Costello.
McCabe nearly created the go-ahead goal in the 56th minute. She slipped a pass into the path of Cahill, who was tripped up on the edge of the box. Canton cried out for a penalty but the official spotted the ball just outside. Costello’s free kick was on target, but right at Welch.
Ten minutes later, Costello would score the winner. Welch came out of the box to clear a ball over the top. Her clearance was in the middle of the field and Costello pulled it down about 40 yards from goal. The junior took a look, saw the keeper racing back to her line, and fired a shot into the unguarded net. It was her second game-winner in the past three games.
“I just feel bad for Rachel,” Franklin coach Tom Geysen explained. “She got caught too far out and there was nobody back there to help her, nobody. She feels like crap because the goal was scored on her, but where were her defenders? And that’s something I’ll make sure she understands.”
Franklin didn’t give up and battled right to the final whistle. The Panthers wrested some control back in the midfield down the stretch and had a series of free kick opportunities for Anderson, Deforge, and midfielder Bridget Leo to put the ball into the box.
With two minutes to play, the Panthers nearly snatched a point. Leo sent an angled ball to the edge of the area and Kelly O’Connor rose well to head the ball down across the penalty area. Right winger Olivia Costa raced in at the far post and appeared to get a touch to it, but Canton keeper Marissa Staffiere was off her line quickly and smothered the chance, saving the win.
Senyonjo loved the way his team was able to bounce back from the loss to OA, and that his team gave him a nice present for his birthday on Thursday.
“It’s huge,” he said. “Saturday was an emotional game. The girls were disappointed but super motivated to come and play today and it’s a huge win, at home against probably the top team in the other division right now.”
The game was physical throughout with neither team giving an inch, but in the first 40 minutes the chances almost all fell to the Panthers. Only three minutes in, striker Anya Zub found space running down the left channel and forced Staffiere into a save at the near post.
O’Connor was a constant menace on the left wing. She was able to turn away from her marker and chipped a pass for Zub to race onto, the forward’s clever outside of the foot chip again forcing Staffiere to make the stop. Three minutes later, the duo combined again with O’Connor getting a chance to test the keeper.
In the 22nd minute, Franklin’s pressure finally paid off. Leo’s outswinging corner dropped to the foot of Selene Hammad about eight yards from goal. She scuffed her first attempt at a shot but on her second attempt lashed the ball inside the post, giving Staffiere no chance.
Chances kept coming for the Panthers. This time it was a Katie Ewald corner that was headed clear by Sullivan. The ball dropped for Leo on the half-volley but her shot went over the bar. After a turnover at the back, O’Connor played a near-perfect angled, low cross to Costa at the back post, but Staffiere read it well and dove out to stop the pass hitting its target.
“We just ran out of gas,” Geysen said. “That’s the best effort we’ve had this season. They really worked their butts off tonight. I said, if you keep playing the way you played tonight, you’re going to win a lot of games. You got unlucky tonight, the soccer gods weren’t looking your way.”
Canton (6-1-1) won’t have much time to celebrate the win, as the Bulldogs will be on the road on Friday against Foxboro. Franklin (5-2-0) can expect another physical encounter on Friday when it travels to Attleboro.
Emily McCabe (19) celebrates Mekhala Costello’s last second goal that secured a win for Canton, despite the Bulldogs trailing Stoughton by a goal with just three minutes remaining. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – For about 77 minutes, Stoughton had yet to put a foot wrong. The Black Knights were organized, compact, and keeping Canton’s dynamic attack at arm’s length. Unfortunately for Stoughton, all it took was three minutes for the Bulldogs to finally find a way through and pull out an unlikely victory.
Stoughton led Monday’s game at WWII Veterans Memorial Field for more than 50 minutes following Shayla Ford’s opener, but in the closing moments Emily McCabe finally found space in behind the defense to equalize. With nearly the last kick of the game, McCabe played a one-two with Mekhala Costello, who curled a shot inside the far post to break Stoughton’s hearts and snare a 2-1 victory.
“I think it was good that we fought all the way to the end and we were able to grind a result out,” Canton coach Idris Senyonjo said. “That’s the league, the games are coming thick and fast now and you have to respond to what’s in front of you and hope that you can get a good result out of it.”
The Black Knights have shown a lot of resiliency so far this season, having lost close games to Oliver Ames and King Philip, and came into Monday on the back of two straight wins. They were intent on making sure it wouldn’t be easy for Canton, which went with a rotated lineup as the Bulldogs were playing their fifth game in 10 days.
Canton still had some good early moments. Gisella Berardi played a nice cross from the wing that found Lauren Shatkin in the middle, but the shot went wide. A minute later, Caira McKinney cross clipped off the head of a Stoughton defender and fell to Shatkin, but the shot was blazed over the bar.
Stoughton grew into the game. Ford played a give-and-go with Morgan Cook on the edge of the box, but Cook hit her shot straight at Canton keeper Marissa Staffiere.
In the 21st minute, the visitors went in front. A clearance out of defense was played up the far sideline towards Ford. The senior speedster felt the defender on her back and was able to spin her, racing onto the ball and into space in the right channel. With a full head of steam and at an acute angle, Ford fired her shot just inside the near post.
“I’m waiting for a team to realize you can’t play high on her and you’ve got to drop somebody back,” said first-year Stoughton coach Jon Grant. “Canton did have somebody dropping back in the first 10-15 minutes but I think they got antsy, they wanted to push, push, push, and Shayla was able to turn that girl and get past her.”
The goal gave the Black Knight confidence with Emma Tran pulling the strings in midfield and Ford and Cook regularly combining. Sofia Issa had a go from distance, but Staffiere was right behind it for the save.
Canton went to some of its regular starters following the goal, notably McCabe and Costello, to try and turn the tide. McCabe, who came into Monday with eight goals in her first four games, nearly equalized with her first touch. Shatkin’s ball into the box ricocheted off a pair of defenders before falling to McCabe, who poked a shot just wide.
Emma Cahill passed the ball from the left wing to Shatkin, whose nice first touch played the ball into the path of McCabe, but Stoughton keeper Katrina Varnum was off her line quickly and bravely got down at the forward’s feet to deny the shot.
“We stayed organized for I’d say 77 minutes and they kind of caught us with that last three minutes,” Grant explained. “They played great coming out of the gates, staying organized, shutting them down, not letting them through us. They got around us, a few dangerous crosses, but other than that we played a great first half.”
The game started to fall into a familiar pattern. Canton was able to have the lion’s share of the possession, while Stoughton worked hard to keep its shape and not allow any great chances. Costello nearly opened things up with a cross from the right to McCabe but Emma Tremblay got across to block.
Tran tried to double the lead with a long free kick, but it was right at Staffiere, who held onto it comfortably. Two minutes later, McCabe was given a chance with a 30-yard free kick, but Varnum used her long reach to safely tip it over the bar.
“They boxed all our forwards in in the right areas and they knew exactly what to do and when to do it,” Senyonjo said of the Stoughton defense. “The goalkeeper is also very commanding in the air, so nothing was going past her easily, which is credit to them.”
Costello played a ball into McKinney, who teed it up for Han Hong, whose second attempt was held by Varnum. It was hardly one-way traffic, as Stoughton showed its ability to counter quickly. Ella Derby played a give-and-go with Tran to find room to run in the right channel, but as she bore down on goal Kristina Keefe recovered to make the block.
McCabe had a shot closed down by Isabella Rodrigues on one end and on the other Tran’s free kick was glanced wide by Makenzie O’Connor. Stoughton had one golden chance to double the lead with four minutes to play. Ford broke free again, getting behind the Canton defense but Staffiere closed the angle and was able to make the kick save. The ball came out to O’Connor, who spun and fired but curled it just wide.
Grant said, “Shayla had that opportunity and then it bounced out and Kenzie was able to get a shot off as well that just went wide. Even after they scored, right off the kickoff, we went back down and I love that mentality they have, let’s just go.”
After being so close to sealing the win, it was shocking to see what happened next. Costello played an angled ball in behind the Stoughton back line. McCabe ran onto it, getting the slightest touch to take it past Varnum, and then slid in to get the ball across the line ahead of two Stoughton defenders.
“The middle was so clogged up,” Senyonjo said. “I just said let’s move Mekhala somewhere else because you know she’s going to be dangerous wherever you put her and as long as there’s half a chance in the box you know Emily will take it.”
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors. As time was just about out, Costello passed it into McCabe on the edge of the box and she slid a perfect pass inside the right back. Costello collected it, picked her spot, and coolly bent her shot around Varnum and into the bottom far corner to win it.
“The nature of the game, coming off the game we played Saturday (against Norwell), how well everyone played, the morale was up,” said Senyonjo. “This would’ve deflated us going into the next couple games, but the way they fought until the end could actually elevate us even a little bit more.”
Canton (4-0-1) will continue its busy start to the season on Wednesday with a trip to Milford. Stoughton (2-3-0) will try to bounce back when it visits North Attleboro.
Canton players celebrate at the final horn, as the Bulldogs beat Tewksbury to end a 14-year playoff drought. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – Canton led by 15 heading to the fourth quarter and seemed to be in command of Friday night’s Div. 2 opening round game at the Masciarelli Gym, but after waiting 14 years for a playoff win (also the last time that the Bulldogs hosted a tournament game) things weren’t going to be that easy.
Tewksbury stormed back in the final quarter, eventually cutting the lead to as little as five points. The Bulldogs were held scoreless for nearly four minutes, but, after shooting just 4-of-14 from the line up to that point, Canton made 6-of-7 free throws in the closing minute and pulled out a 56-49 win in front of its home fans.
“I think ultimately having the home game helped us prevail for sure,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “The crowd was great, the boys team was here going crazy, I think all that kind of stuff adds up. I’m really proud of them for the 20 games they played to get us up to this point. Those 20 games gave us this win tonight.”
For the senior trio of Kiara Cerruti (game-high 19 points), Fay Gallery (18 points) and Sydney Gallery (nine points and nine rebounds), it was a moment four years in the making. The Bulldogs lost first round road games in their first two years on the team and missed the chance at a postseason run with last year’s shortened winter.
“It’s definitely super exciting,” Fay Gallery explained. “We’ve always had that long bus ride home after losing and it always sucks, so I was excited to have a home playoff game. But, we didn’t come this far to only come this far, so I’m excited for our next game.”
Cerruti added, “It feels amazing. Being here for four years and we’ve had difficulty winning the first playoff game, so it feels great and we hope to go really far. I think we have some momentum now and I really think that’s going to help us.”
With a big student section at its backs, Canton came out flying. Fay Gallery entered the game needing 14 points to become just the third player in program history to reach 1,000 points (and second this season, following Cerruti, who hit the mark almost exactly a month ago). It looked like Gallery was going to get it all in the first quarter.
She started off 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and added a drive to the basket, scoring 11. Cerruti also started hot, turning Gallery’s steal into a transition layup, drilling a three on a pass from Sydney Gallery, and then driving baseline for a bucket. They combined for 18 of Canton’s 20 in the first and helped the Bulldogs take an early 12-point lead.
“They play fast, they run a lot,” Choquette said of Tewksbury, “and we knew that and we wanted to run because that’s our style. Shooting a lot of threes is what we’ve always done, taking advantage of fast breaks is what we’ve always done. We don’t want to change something we did for 20 games and do something different in the playoffs.”
Cerruti added her second three of the game to kick off the second and Samya DaSilva added back-to-back baskets in the paint, as Canton continued to move the ball well while still trying to get Gallery a shot at her career milestone. She had a chance to get there from the line after being fouled on a three-point attempt, but she made 2-of-3 and went into halftime just one point short.
Tewksbury was hanging around and threatening to get back into the game but Canton seemed to always keep the Redmen at arm’s length. Han Hong (six rebounds) hustled to grab a defensive rebound in the final seconds and sparked a break that led to a Cerruti layup and a 31-18 halftime lead.
Coming out of the break. Sydney Gallery blocked a shot and grabbed the loose ball on one end and then set up Cerruti for another three to push the lead back to 16. Tewksbury started to chip away, as Rachel Picher hit a pair of threes and had eight points in the third, helping the Redmen get as close as eight.
Then Fay Gallery got her moment to make history. Taking a pass right in front of the bench, Gallery took a dribble towards the corner and pulled up for a three, drilling the shot before being swarmed by her teammates and the Canton student section that spilled out onto the court to celebrate.
“A lot of pressure was on me for sure but I tried not to think about it,” Gallery said of that moment. “I didn’t think I was going to be in this position because of the COVID year last year, but I’ve definitely worked hard and I’m proud of where I am right now.”
When asked what it means to experience the milestone just weeks apart, Cerruti said, “It’s really special. We’ve worked really hard. Every day at practice, we try to get better and it’s really great how far we’ve come.”
Buoyed by the energy from the milestone basket, Canton closed the third on a 7-0 run. Sydney Gallery went coast-to-coast, spinning through the lane for a layup and Cerruti buried her fourth triple of the night to send the Bulldogs into the fourth leading 46-31.
Tewksbury started the quarter on an 8-0 run. Samantha Ryan (team-high 17 points) hit a three and drove to the basket to cut the lead down to seven. DaSilva (eight points) finally got Canton on the board in the fourth with a layup off a Cerruti assist just about midway through the quarter. After two free throws from the Redmen, Sydney Gallery took a pass from her sister and scored to keep the lead at nine.
Canton needed to make shots at the line to try and seal the win. DaSilva stepped up and calmly made a pair to make it a 10-point game. Tewksbury scored four straight and missed a three that would’ve made it a one-possession game. Sydney Gallery knocked down two free throws and, after Madison Stovesand nailed a three to keep things interesting, Fay Gallery hit two more to close things out.
“It was kind of clear that they were going to be different than your normal freshmen coming in,” Choquette replied when asked about his three senior stars, who all likely would’ve gotten to 1,00 career points if not for last winter being cut in half, and how they were able to come through to secure that elusive first playoff win. “There was a lot of pressure on them too. I think probably the most impressive thing is how well they handled it all four years.
“It’s not easy to go in and start three freshmen on a varsity team night-in and night-out. I think they were extremely mature when they were freshmen and sophomores, they proved themselves to the league, they proved themselves to the team, and now that they’re older, they’re leaders and everyone looks to them when the times are tough. To their credit, they did it beautifully.”
Canton (15-6) advances to the second round and will travel to No. 7 seed Westwood on a date to be determined. It will be a rematch of the final game of the regular season, which the Bulldogs won 46-40 in the final of the Riley Classic.
Boys Basketball
Attleboro, 67 vs. Durfee, 42 – Final – After falling behind in the first quarter, Attleboro dominated the final three quarters to earn a season sweep of Durfee. Playing shorthanded without leading scorer Evan Houle, the Bombardiers got a huge boost from junior Jaiden Outland, who hit four three pointers and finished with career-high 18 points to pace the Attleboro offense. Durfee held a 18-14 lead after eight minutes but Attleboro came storming back in a 22-point second quarter with Outland netting eight point, Jake Struminski adding six of his eight points, and Colin Morais chipping in with five of his 15 points. The Bombardiers won the second quarter 22-5, taking a 36-23 lead into the locker room.
Canton, 66 vs. Fenway, 49 – Final – Holding a six point lead at the break, Canton used a 19-point third quarter to stretch the lead and eventually finish off Fenway for the second time in as many days. The Bulldogs got scoring contributions from six players in the big third quarter with senior Lanse Dorcelus scoring six of his team-high 16 points, senior Nate Mei adding five of his 13 points, and Matt Chafin (11 points), Dillon Nguyen, Conor Hunter, and Bahsor Mahn (eight points) all scored in the quarter as Canton turned its halftime lead (32-26) in a 51-36 advantage going into the fourth. Jacob Solomon added a trio of threes and finished with nine points.
Foxboro, 58 vs. Medfield, 54 – Final – Tied at halftime, Foxboro pulled ahead for good with a big third quarter to land a key win over Division 2 foe Medfield. Foxboro had a 20-15 lead after a quarter but the teams went into the locker room at halftime deadlocked, 30-30. Five different Foxboro players scored in the third and the Warriors had their best defensive frame of the game, winning the third 17-9. Alex Penders had five of his 14 points, Andrew Finn and Cam Barreira each sank a three, Sam Golub (nine points) added a basket, and Dylan Gordon had four of his team-high 22 points to help Foxboro pull away.
Franklin, 43 vs. Leominster, 30 – Final – Anchored by one of its best defensive efforts of the season, Franklin landed an impressive win over one of the two ranked teams in Division 2. Junior Ben Harvey had a fantastic showing on the defensive end, holding one of Central Mass’ best players Justin Dadah Jr. to just one three-pointer in the fourth quarter. The Panthers used a 16-0 run across the first and second quarters to create separation. Sophomore Sean O’Leary scored eight of his 11 points in the opening half while Harvey got it going on the offensive end with six points in the second. Geino Scaringello gave the Franklin offense a big boost in the second half with all of his nine points coming over the final two frames.
King Philip, 68 vs. Falmouth, 36 – Final – King Philip poured in 26 points in the third quarter to run away with a big win over Falmouth in the first round of the Somerset-Berkley tournament. The Warriors built a 27-16 lead at halftime, getting a trio of three-pointers from Grant Kinney in the first half and one apiece from Braeden Sottile (10 points) and freshman Tommy Kilroy. Junior Will Laplante took over in the third, hitting three more threes and went on to finish with 16 of his team-high 24 points after the halftime break. Charlie Grant and Sottile also hit threes in the third quarter for KP, who had 12 makes from three-point range.
Mansfield, 56 vs. Westford Academy, 41 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Mansfield struggled in the opening quarter against Westford’s zone, but the Hornets turned things around in the second quarter to send the teams into the locker room tied. In the second half, Mansfield locked down defensively, allowing only one point in the third and 12 points in the half, to pull out a win against a team ranked in the top 10 in Div. 1 and advance to the final of the Roundball Classic. Matt Hyland led all scorers with 16, 10 in the second half, and added nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Chris Hill added 13, including seven in the second to help the Hornets even up the game and 4-for-4 from the line in the fourth quarter. Andrew Slaney nailed four threes, including two in the first to keep Mansfield close, and finished with 12 points. Mansfield hit eight from beyond the arc as a team and will face the winner of Whitman-Hanson and Brockton in Wednesday’s final.
Milford, 46 vs. Shrewsbury, 57 – Final
Sharon, 59 vs. Walpole, 71 – Final – Sharon trailed by just three at halftime but Walpole exploded for 27 points in the third quarter to run away with the win in the championship game of the Davenport Classic. Sophomore Nate Katznelson dropped a career-high 27 points for the Eagles, but Walpole’s balanced attack — five players scored in the third — and successful three-point shooting in the third (five makes) ended up the difference.
Stoughton, 59 vs. Milton, 38 – Final – After a back-and-forth first quarter, Stoughton dominated the middle quarters to build a double digit lead that never relinquished the rest of the way. Junior Rayan Sablon hit four three-pointers in the first half and finished with 22 of his career-high 31 points to help the Black Knights get the win. Connor Andrews added nine of his 17 points in the opening half as Stoughton built a 34-19 lead at halftime and had a 46-25 lead going into the fourth.
Taunton, 77 @ New Bedford, 42 – Final – Taunton senior Trent Santos scored his 1,000th career point as the Tigers rolled to a big win to finish the regular season. Santos finished with 29 points in the win and hit the milestone with — fittingly — a pull up three in transition in the fourth quarter. Santos had five threes in the game and 10 total makes. Chris Volcy came off the bench and scored half of his 12 points in Taunton’s 25-point second quarter, turning a close game into a blowout by halftime (43-21). Faisal Mass added eight points for Taunton, which had nine players get in the scoring column.
Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 61 @ Durfee, 30 – Final – The Bombardiers held Durfee to 12 points in the first half, building a 32-12 lead through two quarters and never looking back to record a fifth straight win. Meghan Gordon scored 12 of her 16 points and Lindsey Perry scored all seven of her points in the first half to get Attleboro off to a great start. Vanessa Ellis scored 13 points (eight in the second half) and Rylie Camacho buried four three-pointers and finished with 12. Avery Vieira scored six of her eight points in the fourth.
Foxboro, 61 vs. Cambridge, 30 – Final – Kailey Sullivan scored 23 points, knocking down five three-pointers, as the Warriors rolled to a big win in the opening round of the Warrior Classic. Nine players scored for Foxboro, which will face Walpole on Tuesday night in the final.
Mansfield, 54 vs. Westford Academy, 55 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Abigail Chambers hit a three from six feet behind the arc with only 4.5 on the clock and Westford pulled out a come from behind win in the first round of the Roundball Classic. The Hornets had led 54-48 in the closing minutes, but Westford closed the game on a 7-0 run. Abby Wager scored a team-high 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to pace the Hornets. She added six rebounds and four steals. Kara Santos chipped in with nine points (five in the fourth) and Bridget Hanley added nine points, five assist, and two blocks. Natlya Gill came off the bench and scored seven points. Mansfield will face Natick on Wednesday afternoon in the consolation round of the tournament.
Taunton, 52 vs. New Bedford, 59 – Final – Taunton and New Bedford had a shootout in the second half, as the teams combined for 68 points, but the Tigers weren’t able to pull off a comeback in the season finale and the Whalers earned a split of the season series. Kameron St. Pierre had a team-high 17 points for the Tigers, all of them in the second half, and knocked down three from beyond the arc. Liv Gannon scored nine, all in the first half, and Cali Melo and Abby Souza each scored eight points for the Tigers.
Canton, 46 @ Westwood, 40 – Final – The Bulldogs closed out the regular season by winning the title at the Riley Classic and beating one of the teams ahead of them in the Div. 2 power rankings. Fay Gallery scored 17 points, dished our four assists, and had three steals to lead the way for Canton. Kiara Cerruti added 16 points and three steals and Sydney Gallery had seven points, five boards, and three assists. Canton also got a lot of help on the glass, with Han Hong and Erin Beatty each pulling down six rebounds and Samya DaSilva grabbing five boards. Marissa Staffiere made a pair of clutch free throws at the end to help seal the win. Fay Gallery was named tournament MVP and Cerruti was named to the all-tournament team.
King Philip, 49 vs. Archbishop Williams, 28 – Final – KP jumped out to a 16-2 lead after one quarter and extended that lead to 34-6 at halftime, running away with a big win in the consolation round of the end-of-season tournament. The Warriors had 48 points through three quarters. All 14 players saw time on the court and 11 ended up on the score sheet. Liv Lafond led the Warriors with 10 points, while Emily Sawyer had eight and Kylie Watson and Julia Marsden each scored seven points in the win. Olivia Ali knocked down a three-pointer for her first career varsity points.
Boys Hockey
North Attleboro, 1 vs. Walpole, 3 – Final
Mansfield, 3 vs. King Philip, 6 – Final
Stoughton, 1 @ Rockland, 2 – Final (OT) – After being shutout by Rockland in the first time around, Stoughton pushed the Bulldogs to the limit this time around before falling in overtime. Joe McNulty had the goal for the Black Knights, Steven Westerlund had a strong game defensively, and Chris Andrade played well in net with 29 saves.
Girls Hockey
Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 4 vs. Dedham, 0 – Final – MOA freshman Emma Rabinovich sparked the offense with her first career goal less than a minute into the game and the Warriors never looked back, skating to a shutout win over Dedham. Rabinovich lit the lamp 30 seconds into the game and then Kylie O’Keefe doubled the lead with a minute left in the period to make it 2-0. Cammy Shanteler (from O’Keefe) and Cataline Kipp each added a goal for the Warriors. Jess Widdop made 35 saves in net to earn the shutout for MOA.
Canton’s bench jumps up in celebration after Marissa Staffiere’s last-minute three put the Bulldogs ahead to stay in a come from behind win over Attleboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – After trailing 18-1 to start the game and being down by as many as eight points in the fourth quarter, Canton fought its way back to a standstill. The Bulldogs had largely been riding the hot hand of its stars, Fay Gallery and Sydney Gallery combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter and 39 for the game, but the biggest play of the night came from an unlikely source.
Junior guard Marissa Staffiere had just been subbed out but as she walked to the bench she told Canton coach Jim Choquette and his staff that she wanted to be out there and could help the team win. Choquette agreed and put her back in. When Emily McCabe hustled to keep a possession alive, snagging an offensive rebound on the baseline, she kicked it out to Staffiere for an open look at a straightaway three.
Despite not yet making a basket for the first 31-plus minutes of the game, Staffiere drilled the open look, providing what turned out to the game-winning basket in a 57-52 come from behind victory over Attleboro on Tuesday night at the Masciarelli Gym.
Choquette explained, “At that point, you have to trust your players. [Marissa] believed she could do it and there was no doubt in my mind, I wasn’t going to question her. She would’ve helped us no matter what. If it wasn’t that shot, then it would’ve been something else so I was really, really happy for her.”
The night started as a celebration of the third member of Canton’s senior stars. Kiara Cerruti came into the night needing just one point to become the second female player at Canton to reach 1,000 points for her career (Eileen Morneau in 1996 was the first). Cerruti nearly got the milestone just seconds into the game, but she was unable to finish after a steal led to a breakaway.
Although it took a few minutes, Cerruti was able to get the point she needed, knocking down a free throw to make history.
“She’s been working for this goal since third or fourth grade,” said Choquette. “We used to run our camps here when she was little and she’d be the first one to finish things and the one who stayed latest and she continued all that stuff all the way through her career. That’s the result of dedication and determination for an entire lifetime of playing basketball.”
With the larger crowd in the gym, all of the energy surrounding the chase of a milestone, and without point guard Lindsey Perry and leading scorer Meghan Gordon, the Bombardiers, who had won eight straight coming in, could have let the game get away from them. Instead, they dominated the opening quarter.
Attleboro scored the first 10 points of the game, crashing the boards, and playing tough defense in the paint. Lillian Froio (seven points and nine rebounds) got things going with a put-back and Vanessa Ellis (eight points, 10 rebounds, and four steals) scored a pair of baskets off the offensive glass. Riley Camacho’s steal led to a transition bucket for Lily Routhier and then the duo each buried a three to push the lead to 18-1.
“That’s pretty much our future and I was very impressed,” said Attleboro coach Bri Hochwarter about how her players stepped up without two starters. “I told the kids to hold their head high, they gave it their all on the court and that’s all I could ask for.”
Choquette was full of praise for Attleboro’s performance. He said, “They were really hitting shots. They were down a few players and they were really playing for let’s win it for the girls who can’t be here, which always makes a team play better. I was really impressed with what they did.”
Sydney Gallery got a basket to close out the first, but Canton trailed by 14. The Bulldogs managed to settled down in the second and put together a run that got the lead down to just six at the half. Cerruti (nine points and six steals) started it with a run out for a layup and McCabe added a bucket on a nice pass from Han Hong. Then Fay Gallery started to heat up, scoring seven points in the quarter.
Momentum was with the home side heading to the locker room and seemed to carry over into the third, as Canton continued to chip away. Camacho (12 points) opened things with a three and Kayla Goldrick (12 points and nine rebounds) got an open corner three off a cleverly worked side out-of-bounds play that kept the lead in double digits.
Gallery would lift the Bulldogs back into the game. She scored 10 points in the third, knocking down a trio from the outside and her steal and look ahead got Cerruti and easy two. Gallery’s third triple of the quarter tied the game 33-33 and it felt like Canton might finally have the shorthanded Bombardiers on the ropes.
Attleboro showed its mettle, answering back with six straight to close the quarter. Goldrick slipped an entry pass into Ellis on the right block and the freshman not only made a nice catch but finished plus the foul. Routhier closed the third with an open three off another Goldrick pass and it was 39-33 heading to the fourth.
“We started getting momentum again,” said Hochwarter. “I told the kids in the locker room that basketball is a game of runs and they went on their run in the second quarter but this is our chance. Don’t get defeated if they go on 6-0, 8-0 run, we stop them and then go on our run.”
Both teams kept answering runs by the other in the fourth quarter. After Fay Gallery buried a three to cut the lead to five, Goldrick grabbed two offensive rebounds to finish on the other end and then Froio got a layup after a great hustle play by Sarah Maher, who saved a possession while falling out of bounds under the hoop.
Canton kept battling back. Sydney Gallery got a pair of open looks from the outside, the second set up by a kick out from Cerruti, and she tied the game at 46-46. Camacho got free on the break for two, but Gallery drove down the lane to tie it again with two minutes to play. Her offensive rebound gave Canton the lead at 50-49 and Fay Gallery followed with a bucket to make it a three-point lead with 1:27 to play. The Bulldogs were on a 14-3 run.
“Attleboro took our best punches, they regrouped, and they made a really good run,” said Choquette. “Thankfully, with each momentum-changing shot they hit, we had an answer. They hit a three, Fay hit a three, they hit a three and Sydney hit a three, we got to the free throw line, we got a turnover, so that ultimately disrupts someone trying to finish a game off when you can answer the big shots.”
Every time it seemed Attleboro was out, someone stepped up and made a play. This time, it was Camacho, who took a pass from Routhier and drained her third three of the night to even the score once again. In the end, Canton was able to make one more play and Staffiere’s big shot proved to be the narrow difference.
“I asked kids to step up knowing that we weren’t going to have our two captains on the floor and everyone did,” said Hochwarter. “It just came down to those threes at the end and we weren’t boxing out and giving them second-chance opportunities. They’re a good team and hit some good shots at the end.”
Canton (9-4) will be home again on Friday night for a rematch with league-leading Oliver Ames. Attleboro (10-4) will be on the road to face the other league leader, Franklin.
