North Attleboro, 51 @ Canton, 60 – Final – Canton took the lead early and played from ahead, doing just enough to shake a resilient North Attleboro squad for a win in the season opener. The Bulldogs had different players step up throughout the game with juniors Zaza Francoeur (career-high 18 points) and Jamaal McConnell (17 points in his Bulldog debut) leading the way. Francoeur and McConnell each scored seven points in the second to help the Bulldogs establish a 29-24 lead at halftime. In the third, Caden Mirliani hit a pair of threes while sophomore Anthony Diletizia also scored to keep Canton ahead by five, 40-35, going into the fourth. Senior Matt Chafin and Diletizia each had a three in the fourth, McConnell added four more, and Francoeur (5/6 from the free throw line) helped the Bulldogs close it out with seven more points in the fourth. Ayden Delaney led a balanced scoring effort from North Attleboro with 11 points while Givany Carney and Derek Maceda each had nine points.
Milford, 53 @ Foxboro, 60 – Final – Milford rallied to shrink a 23-point second half deficit down to three with under two minutes to go by Foxboro senior Alex Penders came up with a big bucket and Ryan LeClair forced a key turnover two plays later as the Warriors escaped with a win over the Hawks. Penders finished with a game-high 24 points to lead the charge while LeClair chipped in with 10 points. Sophomore Ryan Kelley scored all of his career-high 10 points in the third quarter, helping the Warriors build a big lead. The Warriors led 15-12 after a quarter and thanks to a pair of threes from LeClair and seven points from Penders, Foxboro increased its lead to 31-20 at halftime. Kelley’s big third, plus two threes from Penders, saw the lead balloon to as much as 49-26 midway through the third. Milford sophomore Andrew Rivera scored half of his 16 points in the fourth to help rally the Scarlet Hawks, who went 13-for-18 from the free throw line, including seven of those makes in the fourth. Freshman CJ Farrell added a career-high 14 points for the Hawks.
Franklin, 55 @ Oliver Ames, 42 – Final – Franklin overcame a slow start to erase a double-digit deficit and pick up a win on the road in Easton. Oliver Ames came to play, racing out to an 18-5 lead after eight minutes with senior Chris Elias (11 points) and sophomore Cole Craffey (14 points) each hitting a three. But the Panthers flipped the switch and dominated the second quarter, holding the hosts to five points while its offense got going with 24 points. Justin Allen, who finished with 14 points, hit a pair of threes in the quarter, junior Andrew O’Neill (13 points) added one, and junior Sean O’Leary went off for 13 of his game-high 24 points in the second. Allen, O’Neill, and O’Leary each connected from downtown in the third to keep the Panthers ahead (44-30) going into the fourth.
Taunton, 67 @ Sharon, 63 – Final – Taunton junior Troy Santos exploded for a career-high 44 points to lead the Tigers to a win on the road at Sharon to open the season. The Eagles led after each of the first three quarters but the Tigers continued to rally, especially in the second half, to get the win. Seniors Jack Bates and Dante James each hit a three in the second quarter, Jacob McLoughlin had eight of his 18 points in the first half, and junior Nate Katznelson scored 10 of his 14 points in the first two quarters as the Eagles carried a 30-23 lead into the second half. Santos carried the Tigers in the first half, scoring all but four of their 23 points. Santos got some help in the third as Chris Volcy had five points and Chris Perault added eight points but a three-pointer from Bates at the buzzer put Sharon ahead, 44-42, going into the fourth. With just one three-point field goal and two free throws, Santos connected on seven two-pointers to shoulder the load in the fourth as Taunton went up by as much as 10 in the final minutes. Taunton had a 65-55 lead with a minute to go before the Eagles made it interesting as McLoughlin converted a traditional three-point play, James scored off of a steal and then hit a three off another Taunton turnover, this time with under 5 seconds to play. An errant whistle stopped the clock but Taunton used a full court heave to Santos, who finished at the buzzer, to survive.
Canton, 39 @ North Attleboro, 47 – Final – Ava McKeon scored a game-high 18 points, powering North Attleboro to a season-opening win. McKeon scored 10 points in the first quarter and 15 before halftime to help the Rocketeers jump out to a seven-point lead at the break. Canton cut it to one in the closing minute but North was able to pull out the win. North was 19-of-26 from the line as a team, which helped the Rocketeers hold on, despite having McKeon foul out late in the fourth. North coach Nikki Correia said, “I am so proud of the girls. They played as a team executed the offense and played hard D for four quarters.” Samya DaSilva nearly matched McKeon in the first half, knocking down three from beyond the arc and scoring nine of her team-high 13 in the first quarter. Sam Sweeney helped North hold off the Bulldogs in the second half, scoring seven of her 15 points in the fourth. Sam Faria chipped in with nine points for the hosts, including 6-of-6 from the line. Jess Wright also reached double digits for Canton, adding 11 points.
Foxboro, 67 @ Milford, 29 – Final – Sophomore center Addie Ruter scored a career-high 18 points to lead the Warriors to a big road win in the season opener. Kailey Sullivan added 17 points and Camryn Collins scored 14 for the Warriors. Foxboro scored 19 in the opening quarter but then broke the game wide open with an 18-5 second that increased the lead to 22 at the break. Brooke Ferreira led the way for the Hawks, scoring 12 points and freshman Ava Baglione scored eight on her varsity basketball debut.
Oliver Ames, 45 @ Franklin, 54 – Final – Franklin was able to hold off a fourth quarter charge by OA to pull out a foul-filled season opener and continue its long win streak in league play. The Panthers jumped out to a 17-7 lead after the first and extended the advantage to 14 heading into the final eight minutes. OA rallied, scoring 18 points in the fourth and twice cutting the lead down to as little as seven, but Franklin made enough plays to seal the victory. Katie Peterson battled foul trouble in the second half, but finished as the game’s top scorer with 13 points. Chloe Fales, Caelyn Leonard, and Lizzie Newman each scored 10 points for the Panthers and Bridget Leo added eight. Freshman Kamryn Derba scored a team-high 11 points on her varsity debut for OA. Maeve Horsman added nine points, including seven in the fourth, Annie Reilly had eight points and eight rebounds, and Maddie Homer had seven points and five boards in the loss.
Stoughton, 41 @ King Philip, 64 – Final – KP came alive offensively in the third quarter, outscoring Stoughton 24-7 to break the game wide open. Emily Sawyer scored 12 of her game-high 16 in the third to help the Warriors pull away and seal the season-opening win. Maddie Paschke added 13 points for KP, including seven in the first half. Kylie Watson chipped in with nine and Jordan Bennett and Jackie Bonner each scored seven points for the hosts. Stoughton was able to hang around in the first half with help from Katrina Varnum, who score 10 of her 13 points before the break and added 11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end, and three blocks. Freshman Kirsten McKay had a big debut for the Black Knights, scoring 10 points, seven of them in the fourth quarter, and adding eight rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Alyssa Edwards added 10 points, eight boards, a block, and four steals, while Raina Tat finished with seven in the loss.
Sharon, 37 @ Taunton, 46 – Final – Cali Melo scored a team-high 17 points, nine in the first half, helping Taunton pick up a win in the season opener and give new coach Gretchen Rodrigues a win on her debut. Taunton held the Eagles to just 11 points in the first half and then held on as Sharon tried to mount a late comeback attempt. Freshman Taryn Campbell added 10 points in her first varsity game (eight in the opening half) and Jillian Doherty chipped in eight points (four in each half). Sharon picked things up offensively after the break, led by Jasmine Davis, who scored 16 of her game-high 19 points in the second half. Davis added 24 rebounds and three blocks. Rachael Hager (seven rebounds and four steals) added eight of her 11 points after halftime and Eva Poulton contributed seven points and five boards for Sharon.
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.“
Mansfield senior Abby Wager (2) is one of the players to watch at the start of another competitive Hockomock League season. See more players to watch below. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) Player are listed alphabetically
Starting a pair of underclassmen in the backcourt could be the recipe for a long season, but with Collins and, then freshman, Kailey Sullivan gave Foxboro the foundation to build a run to the Div. 2 Sweet Sixteen. Collins showed flashes of her potential during the shortened 2020-21 season but last year she broke through as an all-around standout. She scored 12.9 points per game while chipping in with more than six rebounds and two steals per night. An aggressive player on the offensive end, Collins can take players off the dribble and keeps defenders off-balance with her ability to knock down pull-up jumpers. As she continues to develop her three-point shooting, it will open more driving lanes. Collins also uses her tenacity on the defensive end to match up against some of the league’s top guards. She has good positioning and quick hands to force turnovers and is a great fit for Foxboro’s high-pressure style. The Warriors will expect to be in the running for the league title this winter and Collins will continue to be the player leading the way.
Canton is going to look very different this season with the graduation of Fay and Sydney Gallery and Kiara Cerruti. Losing the big three will be a huge challenge, but it is also an opportunity for other players to step up and DaSilva is one of the returning players who could benefit from the extra looks this season. With a solid inside-out game, DaSilva has shown the ability to score in the paint or step out to the three-point line and knock down shots. Her footwork on the block makes it tough to keep her away from the rim and her passing makes it tough for teams to send a second defender. DaSilva is also aggressive attacking the glass on both ends of the floor and her outlet passes can get the Bulldogs out in transition. While DaSilva isn’t the tallest player in the league, she gives Canton a strong defensive presence in the paint, using her strength and positioning to make it tough to finish at the rim. Moving on from three of the best players in program history is a huge task for Canton but DaSilva will give the Bulldogs a foundation to build on as they try to keep the momentum that they’ve built in the past few seasons.
Davis burst onto the scene last year, scoring 32 points and pulling down 28 rebounds in her varsity debut against Milford, and proved to be a double-double machine for the Eagles all season long. She scored nearly 17 points per game and grabbed more than 15 rebounds a night, at times dominating the paint despite all of the attention from opposing defenses. Davis can face up to the basket and take players off the dribble because her strong mid-range jumper forces teams to be aggressive on her. A smooth player with the ball in her hands, Davis showed a range of offensive moves and the ability to finish with either hand. A rebound magnet, Davis used her positioning, not just her length, to be a force on the boards. She can also be a disruptor on the defensive end of the floor, blocking shots, holding teams to one look, and clogging the passing lanes. With a new coaching staff coming in this season, the Eagles will be hoping to make a state tournament push and if Davis continues to grow into one of the best interior players in the league maybe Sharon could be a dark horse in the Davenport.
Oliver Ames will attempt to defend its Div. 2 title with a new coaching staff and several new faces, but the Tigers do have some returning players who have already established themselves as some of the best in the league. Derba is one of those. The junior guard is one of the top long-range shooters in the Hock, with range that stretches defenses well beyond the three-point line. Her length and high release means she can get her shot off against almost all perimeter players, but if matched up against bigger forwards can take them off the dribble and get into the lane. Derba averaged more than eight points per game last year and she also led the Tigers with 98 assists, showing off great court vision and being able to slip passes into tight windows. Her length is also a factor on the defensive side, as she was third on the team in blocks and can cause havoc by getting into the passing lanes. Derba gives OA a dependable ball-handler and consistent shooter to build around this season and she seems ready to take on more responsibility this winter, so her numbers may take a big jump for a Tigers team that will be aiming for another league title.
Graduating a team’s leading scorer is always difficult, but Attleboro has several players that seem poised to step into bigger roles this winter. Goldrick is the prime candidate for a breakout season for the Bombardiers. The junior guard was one of the team’s top perimeter defenders last year, while also becoming its primary ball-handler, avoiding turnovers against some of the high-pressure defenses that Attleboro faced. She scored more than seven points and grabbed more than five rebounds without needing to be the go-to player on the offensive end and her strength on the ball, ability to finish at the rim, and impressive mid-range pull-up game means that she can score in multiple ways. Goldrick’s versatility allows her to play and to guard multiple positions, making it hard for teams to find the right match up against her. For Attleboro to continue its upward trajectory, Goldrick will need to continue developing her all-around game and provide the Bombardiers with the added scoring punch that she’s shown flashes of for the past two seasons.
McKeon brings an important level of aggressiveness and intensity to a North Attleboro roster that is filled with underclassmen who are adapting to the physical challenges of Hock play. A strong, quick guard, McKeon is a force in the fastbreak style of play that the Rocketeers prefer, being hard to stop once she gets a full head of steam and willing to absorb (and dish out) contact on her way to the rim. With an improving outside shot, McKeon can force defenders to close her down and open more driving lanes. Her vision is important to find open teammates on the perimeter when the defense collapses. Aggression and intensity are key to good defense and McKeon can cause all sorts of problems with her athleticism, getting into passing lanes, taking charges, chasing down players on the perimeter, and crashing the defensive glass. North introduced a few freshmen to the lineup last season, so as the Rocketeers look to make a playoff push McKeon’s leadership will be critical to make the winter a success.
The transfer of Kameron St. Pierre leaves a huge hole in Taunton’s scoring output, which means that defense is going to be even more of a priority this season. That is where Melo shines, bringing an intensity to that end of the floor, forcing turnovers, and getting the Tigers out in transition. Although not one of the biggest players on the court, the junior guard is also able to scrap on the boards and keep possessions alive. Her high-energy style is infectious and even as an underclassman was a leader on the court. Melo isn’t a prolific scorer but she can finish around the basket and has improved her shooting over the past two seasons. She is a solid passer, with good court vision, and she can open up a defense with her ball handling. No one will expect Melo to try and match St. Pierre’s scoring output, but she will get more chances to look for her own shot this year while continuing to run the show for the Tigers’ offense. Taunton wants to try and move up the league standings this year and Melo’s leadership, intensity, and tenacity will be a key
Peterson emerged last season as one of the league’s top inside-outside threats, making the leap from role player as a sophomore to the team’s leading scorer as a junior. She scored 14 points per game and led the Panthers in steals last season while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor. The UMass girls lacrosse commit has the height to cause teams problems in the paint, but the range to stretch teams out beyond the three-point line. Peterson’s ability to take defenders off the dribble is perfect for Franklin’s drive-and-kick system and she can finish over most players when she gets to the rim. Her length is also a factor on the other end of the floor, as evidenced by her leading Franklin in steals, and she can keep possessions alive by crashing the boards. The Panthers have been the team to beat in the Kelley-Rex for the past four years and Peterson turning into one of the league’s top scoring threats should keep Franklin in the running for another league title this winter.
At 6-foot-3, Sawyer is inevitably the center of attention when KP takes the floor and last season the Sacred Heart volleyball commit dominated the paint on both ends of the floor. Sawyer scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds a night last year, while also blocking a shot per game. Even when she’s not blocking a shot, Sawyer’s presence in the paint is always a factor for teams trying to get into the lane, forcing players to alter their shots anywhere close to the basket. Her ability to control the glass and the paint helped KP be one of the top defensive teams in the league. Sawyer has also developed her offensive game through the past three seasons, improving her footwork and becoming a more consistent finisher around the rim. When teams send extra players to guard her on the block, Sawyer has also become more adept at finding the right pass to get open looks for her teammates. KP will be hoping for another playoff appearance and maybe a league title challenge this season and the Warriors know that Sawyer will be right in the middle of all that they do well on both ends of the floor.
It is always fun to watch a player develop new facets to their game and last season Wager, who was already a quick, athletic wing that could defend any position, became an all-around threat on the offensive end of the floor. Adding a more consistent outside shot to her repertoire, Wager scored 14 points per game to help the Hornets get back to the state tournament. The SNHU-commit’s shooting opened up more opportunities to blow past defenders off the dribble and get to the rim, where her strength allowed her to finish even with contact. Wager is one of the league’s top defensive wings, recording 51 blocks last year, and her speed allows her to turn any defensive stand into an instant fast break. Mansfield will play its first season in the Davenport division and the Hornets will be counting on Wager on both ends of the floor, as they try to make this season a title-winning one.
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.
Caroline Peper scored 11 of her team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to help OA hold off a Canton rally and move within a win of clinching a league title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – The Canton boys basketball team filed into the standings for Monday night’s game at the Masciarelli Gym at the perfect time. Oliver Ames had pushed its lead to as many as 18 points in the third quarter and it looked like the Tigers were going to cruise to an easy win, but the Bulldogs, as they’ve done so many times this season, found another gear and went on a run.
With the boys significantly boosting the volume of the crowd, Canton put together an 18-2 run, closing the third with 11 straight points, including a buzzer-beating three by Kiara Cerruti that cut OA’s lead to just two heading to the fourth quarter.
The energy, the noise, it felt like a playoff game, so in the fourth quarter OA turned to the player with the most playoff experience to see things out. Senior Caroline Peper scored 11 of her team-high 21 in the fourth, including a perfect 4-for-4 at the line in the closing minute, to help the Tigers pull out a 68-59 victory. OA can now clinch at least a share of the Davenport title with a win on Tuesday.
“She was so focused today, like I’ve never seen her,” said OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook about Peper. “She was focused all day long and I think the other kids recognized that and they fed off that. Especially in those moments where she got fouled, cause it’s not easy when you lose a 20-point lead, and she was ice water in her veins. I couldn’t be more proud of her. She just drained those free throws and she was money.”
It was the kind of game that both teams can use as they prep for the state tournament. Tough defense, great shot-making, runs going back and forth.
OA jumped out to the early lead, as Kaydance Derba (12 points, five assists, and six rebounds) drilled a three and Anna Murphy (five points, six rebounds, and four assists) got to the rim for a basket. Canton stormed back, Samya DaSilva (eight points and five rebounds) putting the Bulldogs in front for the first time and Fay Gallery (14 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals) drilled a three to make it 9-6.
Peper (10 rebounds and three blocks) started to get going late in the first. She scored OA’s last seven points of the quarter, knocking down a corner three and then answering Cerruti’s triple with a pull-up jumper in the final seconds to put OA up 15-14 after one.
The visitors took control of the game in the second quarter. OA outscored Canton 20-9 in the frame. After Cerruti (team-high 21 points) hit a three to give the Bulldogs a 19-18 lead, the Tigers went on a 13-0 run. Sarah Hilliard (10 points) came off the bench and gave a spark with a couple of buckets, Murphy got a layup after Derba’s offensive rebound and dish, and Jasmyn Cooper (12 points and seven rebounds) got a layup after Peper’s block led to a run out and she finished a nice give-and-go with Hilliard.
Sydney Gallery (seven points) hit a three to try and keep Canton close but Hailey Bourne (eight points and six rebounds) hit a short jumper and Cooper got to the rim for two to send the Tigers to the locker rooms up 35-23.
The lead kept growing after the break. Cooper showed her range with a straightaway three and then Derba added two more from long distance. OA led 46-28 and it appeared like the game was almost over. Canton had other ideas.
With the crowd considerably louder, the Bulldogs seemed to feed off the energy and started to chip away. Cerruti nailed a three and then Erin Beatty twice made nice cuts to the basket for layups to get the lead down to 13. Emily McCabe buried a three from in front of the Canton bench for her only points of the night and Fay Gallery followed with a three of her own.
After Cerruti knocked down a short jumper off a nice drive and dish from Gallery, the OA lead was just five. With 0.7 on the clock, Canton got an inbounds under the basket and Cerruti popped out for a three from the wing. The crowd audibly sighed when the ball bounced on the rim but it went up off the backboard and dropped through to make it 48-46 with eight minutes to go.
“There was never a point where any of we’re talking about this is over, we don’t have a chance,” Canton coach Jim Choquette explained. “At halftime, the focus was to get back on defense. OA historically gets out in transition better than anyone we play all year, that really killed us in the first half.”
He added, “Going on a run isn’t always about the 18, it’s the two. It’s not giving up points as well and rebounding better. We’re getting a lot of stops and a lot of tough defensive possessions as well.”
The energy from that shot carried into the fourth, but OA never looked rattled. Even with three sophomores in the regular rotation, who have yet to see or feel a playoff crowd, the Tigers answered every punch that Canton threw. Of course, Peper’s experience helped. She settled the nerves by drilling a three to start the fourth.
Sydney Gallery and Hilliard traded nice drives down the lane and then Bourne got free with a move through the paint for two. Hilliard dished off to Peper for two more and OA led 58-51. Fay Gallery, who was playing with four fouls, came down and hit a three but then Peper sliced through the Canton defense for two and a 60-54 lead with 2:54 to go.
“It’s really important to be in that situation and I’m really proud of the way we played ourselves into trouble but then played ourselves out of trouble,” said Clement-Holbrook. “I thought we stayed composed. Kudos to Canton because those girls can flat-out shoot, they are great scorers.”
About her younger players, Clement-Holbrook added, “We ask a lot of them in terms of the technical side of things and they’ve just stepped up big time, so I’m just so happy for them because they’ve had great leadership to follow and I told them next year the torch is being passed to them.”
Gallery found DaSilva for a layup and, after Cooper hit two at the line, stepped into her fourth three of the night to make it a one-possession game, 62-59, with only 1:27 to play. It would be Canton’s last basket. OA scored the final six points, two from Cooper on an offensive rebound and then four from Peper at the line, to hold on and extend its win streak to 10 games.
“I always feel like the season is about improving and being better individually than you were the day before and being better than you were as a team the day before,” said Choquette. “We’re playing better basketball as a team. Now it’s about fine-tuning some of those small things so we don’t have that letdown in the tournament, we don’t have that second quarter.”
When asked about the change in atmosphere after the Canton boys showed up in the second half, Clement-Holbrook said, “I thought that was awesome. I’m so glad that they were here because it really made us play to the level we’re capable of and I think we saw some things tonight we haven’t seen yet and I’m excited for that.”
Oliver Ames (12-1, 11-1) will try to seal at least a share of the league title when it hosts Sharon on Tuesday. Canton (9-5, 8-4) will try to earn win No. 10 and confirm its spot in the postseason when it travels to Stoughton.
Fay Gallery knocked down five threes and scored 31 points to power Canton to a win at Mansfield. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
MANSFIELD, Mass. – A lot of attention going into Tuesday night’s game at the Albertini Gym was on Canton’s leading scorer Kiara Cerruti as she closes in on the 1,000-point mark for her career, but it turned out to be another of the Bulldogs’ three senior stars that stole the show and helped Canton extend its winning streak to seven games.
Fay Gallery knocked down five three-points and scored a game-high 31 points, including 20 in the second half, as Canton answered a Mansfield run with one of its own and then held off the Hornets in the fourth quarter for a 63-56 victory.
I think the benefit of having multiple people who can shoot and drive is it’s hard to stop one in this league, let alone three or four,” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “Everyone knew Kiara was trying to get to 1,000, so they’re guarding her like crazy, so it became Fay’s night. It opened up everything. When they made their runs, Fay had an answer with threes.”
The teams came out firing in the first quarter, combining for 30 points. Kara Santos got off to a strong start, scoring six of her 16 in the first and put Mansfield ahead 11-5 with a pair at the line. Cerruti (six points, six rebounds, five steals, and five assists) started a 7-2 run with an offensive rebound and assist on a Gallery jumper. Gallery added a three off an Erin Beatty (eight rebounds) offensive board and kick out and a tough hoop to cut the lead to one.
Cerruti, who had a tough shooting night overall but was credited by Choquette for not trying to force her shots and playing within the offense, grabbed a rebound and knocked down a jumper for a 14-13 lead. She is 20 points shy of 1,000.
Mansfield had one last possession and Abby Wager (eight points, three blocks, and three assists) beat the buzzer with a deep three to send the Hornets into the first break up two.
It was a game of runs and it was the Bulldogs who put together the first one, scoring 16 of the first 20 points of the second quarter and building a 10-point lead. Emily McCabe got things started with a three and then Sydney Gallery turned it on the second, scoring nine of her 14 points in the quarter, showing off an array of post moves and knocking down a three.
Mansfield needed a spark and turned to its bench. Natalya Gill gave the Hornets a boost of energy, scoring seven of her 10 points in the second. She drilled a three and then fought for an offensive rebound and put-back late in the quarter that cut the lead down to four heading into the locker room.
“I think we rotate people who kind of give us that spark, which is nice because it makes us hard for teams to predict,” said Mansfield coach Heather McPherson. “It’s kind of a surprise, we don’t know who it’s going to be. I think that spark comes when we’re trusting our offense and working through it and finding each other.”
Gill’s energy carried over into the second half, as Mansfield turned that six-point burst into a 16-2 run, erasing a 10-point deficit and going up by four. Hanley and Anna Darlington (five points) each hit threes that tied the game at 32-32, then Santos went to work in the post with back-to-back baskets.
This time it was Canton’s turn to respond. Samya DaSilva (six points) knocked down a big three to halt Mansfield’s momentum. Fay Gallery did the rest for Canton during a 15-2 run that put the Bulldogs up for good. She hit a three off a Cerruti pass to put Canton ahead and then extended the lead to six off another Cerruti pass. After driving to the basket for two, Gallery took a swing pass from McCabe and hit her third triple of the quarter.
“I commend their offense when I scout them, just how many options they have,” said McPherson. “You’ve got to worry about the Gallery sisters and Cerruti, so there’s a lot of people to worry about, but they stay with all their sets, they set great screens. I thought we played good defense but I also thought Fay, some of those shots were with a hand in her face so what more can you ask a team to do?”
Choquette explained, “We took their best shots, they hit a few really tough shots, they got it inside, hit free throws. We took that and we went back and executed on our end. That’s probably what won the game for us, just being able to answer big, big shots from them.”
Mansfield would get a big three by Gill to stay within six going to the fourth, but DaSilva knocked down her second three of the game to start the quarter and push the lead to nine. Santos threw a long lead pass to Wager who scored plus the foul, but Gallery answered at the other end with another three.
Twice Sydney Gallery matched Mansfield baskets with buckets of her own, as Canton kept the Hornets at arm’s length. Santos got two more in the paint and Hanley drilled a corner three off a Darlington pass to cut the lead down to five, 59-54. After Canton made one at the line, Santos grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it 60-56 with 30 seconds to go.
Gallery made two big free throws and, after an empty trip for the Hornets, McCabe added one at the line to seal the win.
“One thing I’m really proud of with the girls is we talk all the time about needing to be a complete team,” said Choquette. “Emily, she has so much energy, her soccer skills really take over when she sees the floor, her anticipation on defense is second to none.”
Canton (8-3) will start a three-game home stand on Friday with the visit of Foxboro. Mansfield (6-4) will be back home on Friday for a game with Attleboro.
Boys Basketball
King Philip, 41 @ Attleboro, 76 – Final – Attleboro got off to a blistering start with 27 points in the opening quarter, and kept its foot on the pedal with 20 more points in the second on its way to a big win over King Philip. Alvin Harrison scored all nine of his points in the opening quarter, one of six Bombarders to hit a shot from the field as the hosts established a 27-11 lead after just eight minutes. Junior Trevor White accounted for four of Attleboro’s nine made three-pointers, including three in the opening half that led to a 47-23 halftime lead. White finished with a game-high 20 points, Evan Houle added 13 points, including a trio of trifectas, and sophomore Neo Franco chipped in with nine points. Will Laplante led King Philip with 11 points.
Sharon, 51 @ Canton, 59 – Final – Canton exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to surge ahead of Sharon and held on to land an upset win over the visiting Eagles. Trailing 27-25 at halftime, five different Bulldogs hit field goals, including a pair of threes from Jacob Solomon, to help the hosts stake a 46-38 lead going into the fourth. Canton was held to just one field goal in the fourth but went 10-for-12 from the free throw line to stay ahead. Senior Lanse Dorcelus score a game-high 17 points, going 9-for-10 from the free throw line to lead the charge offensively while Solomon finished with nine points. Junior Jack Bates scored a team-high 11 points for the Eagles while classmate Matt Baur added 10 points.
Foxboro, 56 @ Oliver Ames, 65 – Final – Oliver Ames built a lead in the first quarter and added enough cushion in the second quarter to keep Foxboro at bay throughout the remainder of the game to get back into the win column, snapping a three-game skid. The Tigers got a balanced scoring attack with nine players registering points, and OA found success attacking the basket with 22 two-point field goals compared to just a pair of three-pointers. After just two points in the first half, junior Zach Tagliamonte got it going in the second to finish with a game-high 18 points. MJ Jean-Baptiste added 12 points and Drew Baxter had 10 for OA, which led 15-10 after one quarter, 30-18 at halftime, and 44-35 going into the final frame. Foxboro’s offense came alive in the second half, hitting on all eight of its three-pointers but couldn’t close the gap. Senior Dylan Gordon and juniors Sam Golub and Alex Penders all finished with 13 points apiece.
Milford, 34 @ Franklin, 77 – Final – Franklin poured in 21 points in the first quarter and never looked back in a big win over visiting Milford. Junior Justin Allen hit half of his four three-pointers in the first quarter, sophomore Henry Digiorgio hit had one of his game-high five three-pointers in the opening quarter, and senior Sean Vinson also hit from deep as the Panthers established a 21-9 lead after one, and pushed the lead to 40-17 at half after hitting five more threes in the second, including one from freshman Caden Sullivan. Digiorgio finished with a game-high 21 points, Allen had 16 points, Vinson finished at 10 points, and junior Geino Scaringello chipped in with 10 second half points.
North Attleboro, 48 @ Stoughton, 46 – Final – Junior Jack Munley had a big block late and North Attleboro hit just enough free throws down the stretch to score an upset on the road at Stoughton. Stoughton led by one possession at halftime (23-20) and at the end of the third quarter (34-32) but the Rocketeers pulled even late and went ahead on free throws in the final minute. Freshman Ryan Bannon tied the game with a free throw before Stoughton went back ahead with one of their own. Senior Brody Rosenberg (game-high 16 points) went 2-for-2 at the line to put North ahead, 47-46, with 13 seconds to go and Munley came up with a big block on the other end to get the ball back. Junior Givany Carney (11 points) gave North a two-point lead with a free throw with five seconds to go, and Stoughton’s last-second three was off the mark. Senior Connor Andrews had a team-high 13 points while sophomore Liam Pearl added 11 points for the Black Knights.
Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 49 @ King Philip, 45 – Final – Meghan Gordon scored eight of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, as Attleboro rallied to pick up a road win and extend its streak to six straight victories. Attleboro led 28-18 at halftime, but the Warriors stormed out of the break, holding the Bombardiers to just four points in the third to take the lead. The visitors took the fourth quarter 17-11 to pull it out despite only making five field goals in the second half. Lindsey Perry added 11 points, including seven in the first, and Kayla Goldrick scored eight in the win. Emily Sawyer paced KP with 16 points, scoring six in each of the second and third quarters. Julia Marsden scored 10 and Liv Lafond finished with seven for the Warriors.
Canton, 66 @ Sharon, 33 – Final – Kiara Cerruti and Sydney Gallery each scored 20 points to lead the Bulldogs to a sixth straight win. Cerruti added five rebounds and two assists and Gallery had six boards. Fay Gallery scored nine points and had five steals, while Emily McCabe chipped in with nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals and Marissa Staffiere had four assists. Samya DaSilva had four points and five rebounds and also played lockdown defense on Sharon star sophomore Jasmine Davis, holding her to four points and without a made basket.
Oliver Ames, 65 @ Foxboro, 30 – Final – Oliver Ames raced out to a 35-9 lead by halftime and controlled the game from start to finish to secure a key division win over Foxboro. “We played great defense, and controlled the glass at both ends and got great finishes…it was a total team effort,” said OA head coach Laney Holbrook. Senior Caroline Peper led the offense with 18 points while Hailey Bourne provided a big spark with a season-high 12 points. Sophomore Jasmyn Cooper added 12 points, 11 rebounds, and seven steals while classmate Kaydance Derba added nine points.
Franklin, 62 @ Milford, 19 – Final – Franklin held Milford to six or fewer points in each quarter to continue its win streak. The Panthers jumped out to a 23-4 lead after the first and then extended the lead to 41-9 by halftime. Katie Peterson and Olivia Quinn each scored 11 to lead the Panthers and Stefany Padula added 10, as a dozen Franklin players got on the board. Maeve Driscoll led Milford with six, all in the fourth quarter on a pair of threes. Maddalena Mannucci Pacini and Brooke Ferreira each scored four.
Mansfield, 72 @ Taunton, 62 – Final – Mansfield survived a Taunton fourth quarter comeback and won a shootout at the Raboiun Field House to make it three straight victories. Bridget Hanley led the way for the Hornets with a career-high 27 points, knocking down six of Mansfield’s 13 threes. Kameron St. Pierre was Taunton’s top scorer, finishing with a game-high 35 and making six threes of her own. The Hornets jumped out to a 42-128 lead by halftime and added three more to the lead after the third quarter, but Taunton responded with 25 points in the fourth to cut the lead back to 10. Abby Wager added 16 points for the Hornets, all but one coming in the first half, and Natalya Gill scored 11. Kara Santos chipped in with nine, including six in the fourth. Jillian Doherty scored eight and Abby Souza had seven in the loss.
Canton senior Kiara Cerruti (13) scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Bulldogs to a win over King Philip. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
CANTON, Mass. – After putting up 80-plus points in each of its two games last week, it felt like only a matter of time before Canton was able to get into a groove on the offensive end. In the third quarter, the Bulldogs finally kicked into gear, scoring 23 points (four more than they had in the entire first half) and closing the third on an 11-2 run.
Canton turned a three-point lead into a 17-point advantage heading to the fourth quarter, riding the hot hand of senior Kiara Cerruti (game-high 21 points) and junior Samya DaSilva (16 points) to hand King Philip its first league loss of the season, 56-39.
“We’re not always going to score that many points but we want to be in a situation where we’re comfortable doing that, we want the tempo to be at that pace, but we have to understand how to win when we’re not [scoring like that],” said Canton coach Jim Choquette. “I think the second half was a good example of that.”
KP coach Jeff Miszkiewicz was pleased with his team’s overall defense despite the loss. He said, “We knew coming in they were a high-octane offense, so we did our best to slow them down but you’re never going to slow a team like that down completely, you just have to make it tough. They hit a lot of tough shots.”
The first quarter was tight and dominated by defense. It was tough for either team to get good looks and both teams were guilty of turning the ball over against the heavy ball pressure. Fay Gallery (10 points and five steals) and DaSilva each hit threes to give Canton an early edge, but Emily Sawyer (16 points and 10 rebounds) got KP back into it with a pair of baskets.
Julia Marsden made a three, her only basket, to put the Warriors up for the first time and Jackie Bonner closed the quarter with a drive plus the contact to send KP into the first break up 10-8.
Canton answered with a 7-2 run to start the second. Cerruti had all seven of the points and all three of her baskets were assisted by Sydney Gallery (four points, seven assists, seven rebounds, two blocks). Cerruti’s three put the Bulldogs up 15-12.
Liv Lafond (four points and 12 rebounds) answered for KP with a drive and a pair at the line from Bonner put them in front but DaSilva responded with the final four points of the half. She drove down the lane for a bucket and then banked in a tough runner over Sawyer to send Canton into the locker room up 19-16.
After Bonner opened the second half with a three to tie it, Cerruti’s steal and assist on a Fay Gallery basket put Canton in front for good. DaSilva was a major factor in the Bulldogs being able to break the game open. She buried a corner three and three times was able to finish in the lane, scoring nine points in the quarter and taking some of the pressure off Canton’s three leading scorers.
“Samya is a player that has all of the gifts you want,” said Choquette. “There are so many games where she works her butt off to help everyone else and we said, tonight, this could be her night. She played one of her best games for us and that also helps everyone, it gives them a lift. Tonight we needed it and she came through.”
Sawyer had six in the third and her basket off a Lafond inbounds pass cut the lead to eight, but the Bulldogs closed on an 11-2 run to put the game out of reach. Cerruti (six rebounds and four steals) led the Bulldogs with 10 in the third, taking the ball to the basket and going 7-of-8 from the line in the quarter. She then knocked down a step-back three and Marissa Staffiere drove down the lane for two and a 42-25 lead.
“We kept saying that we can win this with defense,” Choquette said. “The more we defend, the more stuff will come up. We talked at halftime, we talked about making adjustments. We’re not going to stop shooting as much, but let’s work on other stuff. Let’s get to the free throw line. And playing fast, I think it tired them out.”
KP tried to rally in the fourth. Sawyer had four quick points and Maddie Paschke’s and-one had the lead down to 12. After a timeout, Canton was able to force a turnover (one of 34 for KP in the game) and get a layup for Sydney Gallery, who then added a runner in the lane. Fay Gallery then scored plus a foul and turned a steal and pass from her sister into another layup, extending the lead back to 20 in the closing minute.
“You can’t win with 34 turnovers, so that’s something we need to fix,” said Miszkiewicz. “We actually broke the press but then it was after we broke the press that we turned it over so we need to work on what to do after breaking the press.”
Canton (5-3) will put its four-game win streak on the line against Stoughton on Wednesday. King Philip (5-2) face another tough test on Friday with a visit from Attleboro.
Boys Basketball
Attleboro, 51 @ Taunton, 71 – Final – In a game of runs, Taunton had more of them and at key moments to secure an impressive win over visiting Attleboro. The Tigers opened with a 10-0 to start the game and pulled away anytime the Bombardiers closed the game. Taunton led 19-8 after a quarter and then pushed the lead to 35-25, closing the first half on a 10-3 run. In the third, Attleboro made it a possession game at 45-40 but Trent Santos (22 points) capped a quick 7-0 burst with a four-point play to give Taunton a 52-40 advantage going into the fourth. The Tigers closed with their best offensive quarter of the game (19 points) to run away with the win. Senior Jordan Costa scored 18 of his career-high 23 points in the second half to keep the hosts ahead throughout the game. Tristan Herry chipped in 10 points while Faisal Mass had eight points, all in the first half. Seniors Evan Houle and Colin Morais each scored 12 points for the Bombardiers while sophomore Neo Franco added eight points.
Canton, 46 @ North Attleboro, 39 – Final – Canton scored 18 points in the opening quarter to establish a lead that it held onto the rest of the way in a win on the road at North Attleboro. The Rocketeers responded with 13 points in the second to make it a close game by halftime (28-23) but the Bulldogs limited the hosts to just five points in the third to push the lead to double-digits (38-28) going into the fourth. North rallied to get within a possession in the final frame but Canton secured the win with successful free throw shooting. Senior Lanse Dorcelus scored a team-high 14 points, including all nine of Canton’s second quarter points, while Matt Chafin added 12 points and Nate Mei had nine points. North senior Casey Poirier netted a career-high 22 points while Gavin Wells chipped in with seven.
Foxboro, 55 @ Sharon, 68 – Final – Sharon dropped 20 points in the opening quarter capped by a halfcourt shot at the buzzer, and then added a 22-point third quarter to create the separation it needed to record a key win over division foe Foxboro. Matt Baur scored 10 of his 17 points between the first and the third, swishing a halfcourt heave just before the buzzer in the first as the Eagles established a 20-14 lead early. Sophomore Nate Katznelson added 12 of his 16 between the first and third, and sophomore Jacob McLoughlin had all 11 points in those two periods for the Eagles, who turned a 31-24 halftime lead into a 53-39 advantage going into the final quarter. Foxboro junior Alex Penders scored 23 of his career-high 25 points in the first three quarters while senior Dylan Gordon added 11 points for the Warriors, who hit three of its their seven threes in the final quarter.
Milford, 78 @ King Philip, 85 – Final (OT) – King Philip senior Danny Clancy scored off of an inbounds pass with six seconds to go to send the game into overtime and the Warriors outscored the Hawks 8-1 in the extra period to get the win. KP exploded for 24 points in the third quarter to erase an eight-point halftime deficit, knotting the score at 55. Both squads scored 22 points in the fourth with KP going 10-for-12 from the free throw line in the fourth. KP finished the game 23-for-39 from the line while Milford was 14-for-22 for the game. Braeden Sottile scored six of his 10 points in overtime while Will Laplante had 10 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter for KP, which trailed 16-12 at the end of the first and 39-31 at halftime. Tommy Martorano finished with 20 points while Clancy had 17 points in the win. Wyatt Zagami dropped a career-high 24 points for the Hawks, hitting a trio of threes in the fourth quarter for 13 of his points. Jake Soares also hit a pair of threes in the fourth, finishing with a career-high 19 points.
Oliver Ames, 72 @ Stoughton, 79 – Final – Stoughton poured in 27 points in the second quarter to build a double-digit lead by halftime, and then held off a flurry of points in the fourth from Oliver Ames to get the win. The Black Knights turned a 12-10 lead after eight minutes into a 38-24 advantage at halftime, and pushed the lead to 20 points (61-41) going into the fourth. Junior Rayan Sablon scored a career-high 25 points, hitting a pair of threes, three two-point field goals, and went 13-for-13 at the free throw line to lead the Black Knights. Senior Connor Andrews scored seven of his 16 points in the second and freshman Matthew Greenspoon (15 points) hit three of his five three-pointers in the second to help the Knights establish their lead. Sophomore Liam Pearl added 10 points in the win. Oliver Ames’ Zach Tagliamonte scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 36 points to lead the Tigers. Drew Baxter added 11 points and freshman Cole Craffey finished with 10 points, all in the second half.
Girls Basketball
Taunton, 44 @ Attleboro, 65 – Final – Attleboro got off to a fast start, leading by 15 at halftime, and never looked back to win for the third time this week. All three wins were by double digits. Meghan Gordon continued her torrid week with a game-high 31 points. She scored 11 of Attleboro’s 19 in the second quarter and 10 of the Bombardiers’ 15 in the third to help build the lead up to 18 points. Lindsey Perry added 14 points in the win, including a pair from downtown. Kameron St. Pierre scored a team-high 21 for Taunton, knocking down three triples and scoring eight points in the fourth quarter. Cali Melo scored eight, all in the second half, and Emily Gannon added six for the Tigers.
North Attleboro, 45 @ Canton, 80 – Final – Canton got off to a great start, leading 21-7 at the end of the first quarter and extending that lead to 27 by halftime. The Bulldogs used a strong press to force 13 turnovers in the first half and quickly converted those into points on the other end. Fay Gallery scored a career-high 27 points, knocking down seven threes. She also dished out eight assists, grabbed seven rebounds, and had six steals. Kiara Cerruti nearly matched Gallery, adding 26 points and five steals. Sydney Gallery scored 11 points and had five assists, Samya DaSilva had five points and five boards, and Emily McCabe finished with four points, five rebounds, and three steals. North improved offensively in the second half, scoring 31 points after the break. Summer Doherty scored a team-high 13 points, while Ava McKeon and freshman Sam Faria each scored eight.
Sharon, 27 @ Foxboro, 70 – Final – Ten players got on the score sheet for the Warriors as they bounced back with a big win at home. Freshman Kailey Sullivan knocked down three from beyond the arc and scored a career-high 19 points in the win. Camryn Collins added a dozen for Foxboro.
Mansfield, 33 @ Franklin, 60 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. Franklin hadn’t played in nearly a month, so it took a while for the Panthers to get going, but they then went on a 22-0 run between the second and third quarters to grab hold of the game and stay perfect on the season. Olivia Quinn (four rebounds and three assists) and Stefany Padula (four steals and two blocks) each scored 14 points to lead the Panthers and combined to knock down five threes. Katie Peterson added 12 points, three assists, and a pair of blocks, while Brigid Earley scored nine points. The Hornets were shorthanded with several players out and several just making their return. Abby Wager came off the bench to score a team-high 12 points, all in the second half, and Olivia Salisbury added six points and five rebounds. Rose Maher had six points and eight boards, while Bridget Hanley scored three points but also chipped in with eight rebounds, three steals, and four assists.
King Philip, 57 @ Milford, 49 – Final – Milford led by two after one, but KP grabbed the lead in the second quarter and then extended it to double digits heading into the final eight minutes to earn its second close win of the week. Jackie Bonner led three scorers in double digits for the Warriors, finishing with 16 points on four three-pointers. Julia Marsden (15 points) and Emily Sawyer (13) also had big nights for KP. Maddalena Mannucci Pacini led all scorers with 18 and Emily Croteau added 10 points for the Hawks. Maeve Driscoll and Brooke Ferreira each chipped in with six in the loss.
Stoughton, 25 @ Oliver Ames, 66 – Final – Oliver Ames took control right from the opening tip and secured its second big win in as many days over division rivals. After a big win over Sharon on Thursday, the Tigers raced out to a 39-10 halftime advantage on Friday night against the Black Knights. Caroline Peper netted a team-high 16 points and recorded five steals, sophomore Jasmyn Cooper added 10 points and nine boards, and Hailey Bourne gave OA a big boost with nine points and four steals. Seniors Jess Maddalena and Evie Lam combined for 14 points for the Black Knights.
Boys Hockey
Taunton @ Attleboro – >Postponed to TBD.
Boys Swimming
Attleboro, 87 @ Milford, 83 – Final
Stoughton @ Canton, 3:00
Sharon @ Foxboro, 6:00
King Philip @ Mansfield, 6:00
Girls Swimming
Attleboro, 111 @ Milford, 48 – Final
Stoughton @ Canton, 3:00
Sharon @ Foxboro, 6:00
King Philip @ Mansfield, 6:00
