Briggs scores 1,000th career point as Canton finishes regular season at 15-5

The Canton High gym erupted into celebration when junior Emily Briggs scored her 1,000th career point in Tuesday night’s win over SMSA.

CANTON, Feb. 16 – It was an evening of celebration for the Canton High girls basketball team Tuesday night. The Warrior faithful got to cheer on junior Emily Briggs, who became the fifth girl in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.

They roared when Abbe Skinner hit a half-court heave at the end of the first quarter. The fans honored four Canton High seniors – Emma Charron, Carly Atkinson, Maggie Treacy and Amanda Gottlieb. And they cheered as the Warriors closed out the regular season with a dominating 69-37 NCCC victory over Hartford’s Sport Medicine Science Academy.

It was a great night of basketball.

“We’re putting ourselves and putting the right foot forward,” Canton coach Brian Medeiros said. “We’re really tournament tested with the quality of the teams we’ve played. They’ve been pretty strong. That will help us as we move forward into the conference and the state tournament.”

Canton’s Emily Briggs controls a rebound in Tuesday night’s win over SMSA.

Briggs scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Warriors, who finish with a 15-5 record and 14-2 in the league. She had 12 of her team-high 15 rebounds in the first half and had several blocks and assists. Treacy, who surpassed 1,000 career points earlier this season, had 15 points for Canton while Abbe Skinner scored 11.

It was Skinner who had the assist on the basket Briggs scored for her 1,000th career point. Off the rebound of a SMSA missed basket, Skinner raced up court with the ball. She made a nice bounce pass across the lane to Briggs, who was driving to her right and scored on a layup.

“I was a little nervous,” Briggs said. “It was a big night. But I calmed myself down and just played my game. Then, it came naturally.”

It was a tight game in the early going. It was tied at 5-5 with 3:44 left in the first quarter but Canton went on a 12-0 run with four points from Carly Atkinson, Skinner’s three-point bomb at the end of the first quarter, a rebound basket in the lane from Briggs and a three-pointer from Treacy.

Fans in Canton celebrate after Emily Briggs scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night.

The visiting Tigers cut the Canton lead to five, 17-12 but Briggs grabbed a rebound in the paint and put it back up in the basket to kick off another 15-0 Warrior surge. She was fouled on the play and sank a foul shot. Briggs scored her 1,000th point on the next possession.

Treacy had a three point shot and six points in the Canton’s 15-point rally. Briggs had six points in the run, too.

“We played a great team game,” Medeiros said. “We were a little tentative at the beginning.”

Canton’s Emma Charron had five points but she ripped down 11 rebounds as Canton won its fourth straight game after two consecutive losses to Bolton and Avon, respectively.

Coach Brian Medieros and Emily Briggs with Emily’s parents after scoring her 1,000th career point.

Canton had some challenging non-league contests this season. They played New Fairfield, Notre Dame-Fairfield and Avon — losing to all three teams. “We’re prepared (for the post-season),” Briggs said. “We’ve played some tough games to prepare us for the tournament.”

The Warriors return to the court Saturday at a time to be determined when they host East Windsor in the first round of the NCCC Tournament. The semifinals and championship game will be Monday and Wednesday, respectively, at a site to be determined. Canton (14-2) is the No. 3 seed in the tournament behind Enfield (16-0 NCCC) and Bolton (15-1 NCCC).

Additional photos on our Facebook page.

Canton 69, SMSA 37
At Canton
SMSA (37) Julia Beebe 4-1-9, Alyssa Carolson 0-0-0, Shinaya Williams 2-4-9, Johnyn Riley 1-0-3, Kenndi Joseph 3-0-7, Rianne Mayer 1-0-2, Christina Marcoux 1-0-2, Brianna Saunders 1-0-2, Kim Lopes 1-0-3. Totals 14-5
Canton (69) Emma Charron 2-0-5, Carly Atkinson 3-0-6, Maggie Treacy 4-5-15, Amanda Gottlieb 0-2-2, Abbe Skinner 4-1-11, Emily Briggs 12-2-26, Leah Eschenbrenner 0-0-0, Belle Magna 1-0-2, Shannon Downey 0-0-0, Morgan Walczak 0-0-0, Lauren Puglulli 1-0-2. Totals 27-10
SMSA (8-11)            5  11    8  13 — 37
Canton (15-5)        14  23  13  19 — 69
Three-point goals: Williams (S), Joseph (S), Charron (C), Treacy (C) 2, Skinner (C) 2