January 10, 2008

Canton Capitalizes on Big Third Period To Topple Tigers 58-39

A two-point nail biter turned into 20-point blowout in nearly as quick as Scotland County could blink its eyes. SCR-I trailed 24-22 at halftime of the consolation finals at the Highland Tournament on January 4th. But Canton opened the third period with a 7-0 run and went on to outscore the Tigers 21-7 over the next eight minutes to put the game away en route to the 58-39 victory.

Neither team got much going on offense in the first period. Cody Musgrove had a pair of early field goals for SCR-I which lead 4-2 in the opening minutes. That’s where the score remained for the next four minutes as neither squad could get the shots to fall.

Canton led 5-4 before Matthew Dice scored in the paint on a nice pass from Musgrove to put the Tigers ahead 6-5 to end the first period.

Both squads found their grooves in the second quarter.

SCR-I continued to pound the ball inside. Kyle Shelley and Musgrove each had a pair of field goals with the other bucket coming from Brandon Garnett on an offensive rebound that made the score 16-16.

Canton went on a 6-0 run only to have the Tigers answer back. Musgrove made a pair of field goals and Travis Trueblood followed that up with a pair of scores on the fast break to tie the game before Canton scored at the buzzer to lead 24-22 at the break.

Canton’s pressure defense finally took its toll in the third period. Turnovers fueled a 7-0 run that forced an SCR-I timeout with 5:47 on the clock. Canton continued the rush, building a 39-22 bulge before Musgrove finally broke the run with a basket in the paint.

Jacob Howard scored on a drive to the hoop and Brandon Garnett drilled a three pointer late but Canton ended the third period on top 45-29.

Trueblood scored with 3:24 to go in the fourth period for SCR-I’s first points of the final period. That ended a 7-0 run by Canton. The Tigers closed out the contest strong but it was not enough to prevent Canton from posting the 58-39 win and taking home the trophy.

Musgrove finished with 12 points to lead Scotland County (5-5). Howard, Trueblood and Shelley each finished with six points.

Colt Carper led Canton (6-3) with 17 points off the bench. Josh Fellinger made three of Canton’s five three pointers and finished with 13 points and Drew Ayers finished with 11.