Canton holds off Housatonic to secure fifth win

Housatonic’s Anthony Labbadia (5) tries to block the shot from Canton’s Jaiden Diaz (3) in Wednesday night’s non-league game in Canton. The Warriors beat the Mountaineers for the first time since 1977. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

CANTON, Feb. 4, 2026 – Brayden Keefe had 19 points while Jaiden Diaz had 14 points as the Canton High boys basketball team beat Housatonic Regional on Wednesday night, 63-60 in non-league action.

Canton (5-10) won for the second time in three games and moved closer to securing a bid in the CIAC Division V state tournament. The Warriors need to win three of their last five games to get eight wins and an automatic bid.

James Canny added 11 points for the Warriors while Wyatt Bernabucci scored seven.

Canton led 48-36 after three quarters only to see the Mountaineers (4-10) rally in the fourth quarter behind nine points from Simon Markow. Anthony Labbodia scored 16 points for Housatonic while Markow added 15 and Owen Rieman scored 14.

It was the first game between the two programs since 1978. The two schools played regularly from 1961 through 1978 when they were both in the Northwest Conference. The most recent Canton victory over Housatonic came in 1977.

Housatonic, which plays in the Berkshire League, is out of Falls Village.

The Warriors return to the hardwood on Friday night when they host Windsor Locks beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Canton 63, Housatonic 60
At Canton
Housatonic (60) Nick Crodelle 2-0-4, Anthony Labbodia 6-3-16, Owen Rieman 6-0-14, Wyatt Bayer 0-0-0, Simon Markow 7-1-5, Anthony Foley 4-2-11. Totals 25 6-7 60
Canton (63) Jaiden Diaz 5-3 14, James Canny 4-3-11, Lucas Mainville 0-0-0, Brayden Keefe 7-3-19, Nolan Endquist 2-2-6, Shane Leadbetter 2-0-4, Shea Flaherty 1-0-2, Wyatt Bernabucci 3-1-7. Totals 24 12-14 63
Housatonic (4-10)         11  15  10  24  — 60
Canton (5-10)                 18  15  15  15  — 63
Three-point goals: Labbodia (H), Rieman (H) 2, Foley (H), Diaz (C), Keefe (C) 2