D-S Falls To Canton In MIAA Tournament

The first game of the MIAA Tournament for the Raiders was also their last of the season as D-S lost at home, 58-46, to the Canton Bulldogs, Monday night.

The game was close throughout and the Raiders had a one point lead, 37-36, heading into the fourth quarter, until the wheels fell off for Dover-Sherborn and Canton exploded offensively in the final frame, at one point taking a 16-point lead.

“You see that lead start to expand a little bit, you start to rush, you start to panic a little bit, and then you get sloppy. And then they took advantage of some sloppy play at a key moment,” said D-S head coach Rick Grady.

Canton's full-court press in the fourth quarter gave the Raiders trouble getting the ball up past half-court. Turnovers lead to easy baskets in their own end for Canton which helped them build their lead.

“We decided we wanted to try to win the game by pressing. Win it in the back court not in the front court,” said Canton head coach Mike Devoll.

“It’s just disappointing the way that we played,” Grady said. “They hit their open shots and their pressure gave us problems at times and at that key moment in the game they made the plays and we didn’t.”

Junior forward Colby Gavigan and junior guard Anthony Bires played stellar for the Bulldogs contributing 13-points apiece and taking over the game when it mattered most.

“They kind of did the dirty work: deflections, steals, tips, transition baskets,” Devoll said. “They were big, I mean, that was the difference. It was tied or close through three quarters and they were the difference in the fourth quarter.”

In the end the Raiders just couldn't find an answer for Canton defensively.

“I think defensively we go man and they have a couple guys who can go by us and then we go zone and they hit threes and you try different things and nothing seemed to be working,” Grady said. “Canton played very well. I give them a lot of credit.”

As the final moments ticked off the clock, the D-S players had looks of anguish on their faces.

“It’s so hard to say anything, really, it’s like you get punched in the stomach,” Grady said. “You have these dreams of doing some damage in the playoffs but you also know that if you don’t play well, all of a sudden you’re done and it’s just a hard thing to accept.”

For the Raiders, senior captain Colin Jamerson had 12 points in his final game of his high school career. Sophomore guard Ben Maletta had seven points and Nate Jenkins and Ned Linehan each had six points.

Canton now has a 6-15 record on the season and will continue on to play Cardinal Spellman on Wednesday.

As a side note, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was in attendance.

The Raiders end their season with a 11-10 record on the season.

“I had a lot of fun just coaching these guys and not being able to go to practice tomorrow just, it stinks,” Grady said.