Undefeated Canton girls (15-0) move closer to first NCCC title in 16 years

Canton sophomore Emily Briggs had 16 points in wins over East Granby and Stafford earlier this week.

CANTON – The goal is getting clearer for the Canton High girls basketball team.

For just the second time in school history, the Warriors have won the first 15 games of the season. There are five regular season games remaining and Canton has an outstanding opportunity to win its first NCCC championship since 1999. 

Canton (15-0, 13-0 NCCC) holds a two-game lead over Avon (11-4, 11-2 NCCC) and Bolton (15-2, 13-2 NCCC). The Warriors beat Bolton in their only regular season contest with the Bulldogs, 54-49 on the road. Canton plays its final conference game ever with Avon next Friday night at 7 p.m. at home. The Falcons will be playing in the Central Connecticut Conference next winter. Four wins would give Canton its fourth NCCC pennant.

The Warriors face another challenge on Friday night when they host Enfield (10-5, 10-4 NCCC) at 7 p.m. The Raiders have won six in a row. 

Earlier this week, Canton easily dominated Stafford, 52-28 and East Granby, 65-25. On Tuesday against winless Stafford (0-14), Emily Briggs had a game-high 14 points and eight rebounds to lead Canton. Maggie Treacy had 12 points and 10 steals while Katie Walker had six assists. Canton led 19-0 after one quarter. 

East Granby scored 13 points in the first quarter and trailed by seven. The Crusaders (4-12) were held to 12 points in the remaining three quarters. Briggs led the way for Canton with game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Treacy also had 16 points for Canton while Gabby Rose chipped in with 10 points. 

NOTES: Canton has three games again next week. Canton travels to SMSA in Hartford on Tuesday and to Ellington on Wednesday night. The Warriors host Avon on Friday night. Canton closes out the regular season with a home game against Windsor Locks on February 17. … Canton is the final undefeated team in Class S and is one of four teams in the state that haven’t lost a game yet. Morgan, South Windsor and Farmington are still undefeated. … Canton is receiving votes in the state coaches poll. This week, Canton is ranked at No. 21 with 33 points. The Warriors made their poll debut a week earlier at No. 22 with 25 points. The last time Canton received votes was in 1999.

Canton 65, East Granby 25
At East Granby
Canton (65) Katie Walker 3-0-6, Emily Briggs 7 2-2 16, Jacquie Grabowski 4 0-1 9, Maggie Treacy 5 6-7 16, Gabby Rose 5-0-10, Emma Charron 1-0-2, Leah Eschembrenner 0-0-0, Carly Atkinson 0 2-2 2, Belle Magna 2-0-4. Totals 27 10-13 65
East Granby (25) Morgan Beatty 0-0-0, Hannah Dumas 0-1-1, Kayla Johnson 4-3-12, Casey Tobin 0-0-0, Lexi Gelinas 4-0-10, Destinie Meade 0-0-0, Jolie Berger 0-0-0, Allie Davis 0-0-0, Fiona Loschi 0-2-2. Totals 8-4-25.
Canton (15-0)             20  13  14  18  — 65
East Granby (4-12)    13    5    7    0  — 25
Three-point goals: Johnson (EG), Gelinas (EG) 2 

Canton 52, Stafford 28
At Canton
Stafford (28) Holly Buchanan 1-0-3, Noelle Perchie 3-4-11, Aly Blythe 1-0-3, Anna Smith 1-0-2, Natsuko Ikehara 1-0-2, Devyn Colby 2-0-4, Catherine Hoss 1-0-3. Totals 10-4-28
Canton (52) Katie Walker 1-0-2, Emily Briggs 7-0-14, Jacquie Grabowski 3 1-2 7, Maggie Treacy 5 1-1 12, Gabby Rose 4-0-8, Emma Charron 2-0-4, Leah Eschembrenner 1-0-3, Carly Atkinson 0-0-0, Bella Magna 1-0-2, Shannon Downey 0-0-0. Totals 24 2-3 52
Stafford (0-14)     0  4  10  14  — 28
Canton (14-0)    19  6  16  11 – 52
Three-point goals: Buchanan (S), Blythe (S), Hoss (S), Treacy (C), Eschembrenner (C)