Undefeated Canton girls hand Bolton their first loss

Canton sophomore Emily Briggs (12)

BOLTON, Jan. 9 – It’s been a while since the Canton High girls basketball team was tested. They were pushed on Friday night against Bolton in a battle of two undefeated teams. 

Canton got off to an outstanding start and then survived a Bolton comeback to earn a 54-49 decision and their eighth straight victory. The Warriors (8-0, 8-0 NCCC) had a 14-point lead after one quarter and extended its lead to 18 points in the second quarter, 20-2. 

Bolton (7-1, 6-1 NCCC) battled back and made some great shots. But the Warriors stood tall to earn the victory. “It was a very exciting game. We had an unbelievable start,” Canton coach Brian Medieros said. “Bolton battled back and made some great shots and we went ice cold. But the kids definitely stepped up.” 

Maggie Treacy, who is averaging 19.6 points in the last five games, led the way for Canton with a game-high 26 points and a season-high four three-point field goals. Emily Briggs scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds while Gabby Rose scored eight points and had seven rebounds. 

Canton held Bolton’s leading scorer Melissa Gudauskas (17.0 ppg) to 12 points. Junior guard Jessica Larch scored 23 points and three 3-point goals for the Bulldogs, who beat Windsor Locks in overtime earlier in the week. 

“It was a fun and exciting atmosphere,” Medieros said. “Bolton is a very good team. We just happened to be better tonight.” 

Canton is off to an 8-0 start for the first time since 1997-98 when the Warriors ran the table with a undefeated regular season (20-0). The Warriors won their first 22 games before falling in the NCCC Tournament final to E.O. Smith. 

It’s the third game that Canton won this week. On Thursday night, the Warriors dominated East Windsor in a 56-12 victory. It is the fourth lowest number of points that Canton has allowed in game in the modern era (since 1970). The modern record for fewest points allowed is eight against Wolcott Tech-Torrington in January 1986 in a 38-8 victory. 

Treacy had 13 points and six steals in the win while Briggs added 12 points. Canton didn’t allow the visiting Panthers to score a point in the second half. 

Next, Canton hosts Coventry Tuesday at 7 p.m. and East Lyme next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Canton 54 Bolton 49
At Bolton
Canton (54): Katie Walker 3 0-2 6, Emily Briggs 3 7-10 13, Jacquie Grabowski 0 1-4 1, Maggie Treacy 6 10-12 26, Gabby Rose 4 0-1 8, Emma Charron 0-0-0, Abby Skinner 0-0-0, Leah Eschembrenner 0-0-0, Carly Atkinson 0-0-0, Belle Magna 0-0-0. Totals 16 18-29 54
Bolton (49): T. Marshall 0-0-0, Jessica Larsh 8 4-5 23, J. Ethridge 1-0-2, Melissa Gadauskas 4 2-3 12, M. Shoney 0 2-4 2, J. Hinckley 4 0-1 10, J. D’Amico 0-0-0. Totals 16 8-13 49
Canton (8-0)      16    5  12  21  — 54
Bolton (7-1)          2  15  12  20  – 49
Three-point goals: Treacy (C) 4, Larsh (B) 3, Gadauskas (B) 2, Hinckley (B) 

Canton 56, East Windsor 12
At Canton
East Windsor (12) Jessica Saponare 2-0-5, Stephanie Rodrigue 0-0-0, Sarah Fisher 0-0-0, Gabby Filschette 2-1-5, Loren D’Agostino 0-0-0. Totals 5-1-12
Canton (56) Emma Charron 3-0-6, Belle Magna 1 1-2 3, Katie Walker 1-0-2, Jacquie Grabowski 2 2-4 7, Abby Skinner 3 0-4 6, Emily Briggs 6-0-12, Maggie Treacy 4 5-5 13, Gabby Rose 0-1-1, Lean Eschenbrenner 2-0-5, Carly Atkinson 0 1-2 1. Totals 22-10-56
East Windsor (3-5)                   5   7   0   0  — 12
Canton (7-0)                           19  17  9  11 – 56
Three-point goals: Grabowski (C), Eschenbrenner (C), Saponare (E)