Canton girls look to build upon success at end of last year

Canton’s Gabby Rose (32) controls the ball in a game against SMSA last winter. She is the top returning scorer for Canton.

CANTON – Canton’s first-year head coach Brian Medeiros isn’t familiar with girls basketball in the North Central Connecticut Conference.

But he is no stranger to the hardwood. He has spent the last nine years as an assistant in the East Catholic girls basketball program, learning under former head coaches Al Lewis and Nick Economopoulos, who has won over 500 games. In the spring, he coaches with the Connecticut Starters and worked with Hall of Fame coach Fred Williams from Northwestern Regional.

Medeiros wants the Warriors to build upon their strong finish last season. Canton (11-12, 7-9 NCCC) won eight of its final 10 regular season games and beat Suffield in the quarterfinals of the NCCC Tournament. The Warriors also qualified for the Class S tournament for the fourth time in five years. 

“I want us to take the next step – make it to the semifinals of the league tournament, make the quarterfinals of the Class S tournament,” he said. Mederios also wants Canton to be competitive with the top teams in the league – Avon, Granby and Ellington. He admits some of his goals could be considered lofty. But he wants the Warriors to aim high.

Canton lost two starters to graduation – Amanda Curvino, an All-NCCC selection who was Canton’s leading scorer (12.1 ppg) and top 3-point shooter (18), and Kat Winsor.

But they return some quality players including 5-foot-8 junior Gabby Rose, who was the team’s second leading scorer, averaging 8.7 points a game, 5-8 junior Jacquie Grabowski (5.0 ppg) and 5-7 sophomore Maggie Treacy (6.3), a solid all-around player who made 16 3-point shots a year ago.

Senior Erin Detorie sank 14 three-point shots a year ago and averaged 3.8 points a game. Alex Martin (5-5), Natalie Grisevich (5-6) and Lindsay Sugar (5-6) will be asked to contribute along with freshman Emily Briggs, who has looked sharp in preseason workouts.

Mederios said Canton will play some pressure defense and try to make the game as upbeat as they can. Defensive intensity fueled Canton’s second half surge last year. If Canton’s big players can establish themselves offensively, the Warriors could be in position to make some noise in the league.

Canton opens the season on the road Wednesday at Terryville. The Warriors play three Berkshire League teams this winter — Terryville, Gilbert and Northwestern — along with a challenging non-league contest against Hall of West Hartford.

Canton
Last year: 11-12, 7-9 NCCC. Lost in 1st round of Class S tournament to Coventry, 47-40
Coach: Brian Medeiros, first year (0-0)
Key losses: Kat Windsor, Amanda Curvino (All-NCCC, 12.1 ppgs, 18 3-point goals)
Top players: Seniors – 5-6 Lindsay Sugar, 5-8 Erin Detorie (3.8 ppg, 14 3-point goals), 5-5 Alex Martin, 5-6 Natalie Grisevich; Juniors – 5-8 Jacquie Grabowski (5.0 ppg), 5-8 Gabby Rose (8.7 ppg); Sophomore – 5-7 Maggie Treacy (6.3 ppg); Freshman – Emily Briggs
Of note: Medeiros replaces Michael Jessie as head coach. Jessie was the coach for two seasons. … The league champion in the NCCC is determined by a team’s record in its 16 NCCC games. Canton plays every team in the league once and plays SMSA, Somers and Coventry twice.  … Bolton and Avon are the defending league champions. They both went 15-1 a year ago.

2013-14 Schedule
Games begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise listed
December – 11: at Terryville; 13: BOLTON; 17: at Granby; 20: SMSA; 23: GILBERT, 3 p.m.; 27: HALL, 4 p.m.
January – 3: at Somers; 7: COVENTRY; 10: WINDSOR LOCKS; 14: at East Windsor; 17: at Avon; 21: at Ellington; 24: STAFFORD; 28: at Enfield; 30: at Northwestern; 31: EAST GRANBY
February – 4: SUFFIELD; 7: at Coventry; 11: SOMERS; 14: at SMSA