Josh Burke scores 24 as Canton wins for fifth time in last six games

Sophomore Josh Burke scored a career-high 26 points to help the Warriors win their third straight with a win over East Windsor. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

CANTON, January 25 – Sophomore guard Josh Burke had six 3-point baskets and scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Canton High boys basketball team to a 64-49 victory over East Windsor on Friday night.

The Warriors (9-4, 8-3 NCCC) sank ten 3-point shots in the victory – their third straight triumph and the fifth win in the last six games.

Grant Lange scored 13 points and had three 3-point shots while Jack Rose chipped in with 11 points. Josue Mercado led East Windsor (2-12) with 14 points while Jordan Gardner scored 11.

Canton sank five 3-point shots in the first period and raced out to a quick 17-2 lead. Burke had 11 of his 24 points in the first quarter. The visiting Panthers sank some three-point shots of their own in the second quarter to cut the lead to six points, 31-25, at halftime.

Canton’s Chris Tenczar drives to the basket in Friday night’s win over East Windsor. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

Canton came out firing in the third quarter with Burke, Jack Rose and Lange each hitting three-point shots as the lead swelled back to 11, 41-30. The Warriors led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter.

After the game, the team presented head coach Craig Archambault with a signed basketball to celebrate his 100 career victories. Archambault became the third coach in team history with more than 100 career wins after the Warriors beat Bolton on Tuesday.

Canton returns to action on Monday when they travel to Hartford to face undefeated Hartford Classical at 7 p.m. The Gladiators (11-0, 10-0 NCCC) have yet to lose this season.

It will be the first of three games this week for the Warriors, who will play at Windsor Locks on Wednesday and at Somers on Friday.

Canton High coach Craig Archambault receives a signed ball from the team for his 100th career win earlier this week. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

Canton 64, East Windsor 49
At Canton
East Windsor (49): Brandon Coley 1 0 2, Damien Emiliano 3 0 6, Cole Crynock 4 0 10, Josue Mercado 6 0 14, Jordan Garner 3 2 11, Zach Corrado 3 0 6. Totals 20 2 49
Canton (64): Josh Burke 8 2 24, Chris Tenczar 0 1 1, Matthew Rose 3 1 7, Jack Rose 4 2 11, Grant Lange 4 2 13, Ryan McGoldrick 2 0 4, Silas Sawtelle 2 0 4. Totals 23 8 64
East Windsor (2-12)                    7  18    9  15  — 49
Canton (9-4)                               19  12  16  17  – 64
Three-point goals: Crynock (EW) 2, Mercado (EW) 2, Garner (EW) 3, Burke (Ca) 6, J. Rose (Ca), Lange (Ca) 3

NCCC standings