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Just 3rd playoff win ever for Canton boys

CANTON — Whether it was Byron Matthews diving after a loose ball or Michael Smithers outworking multiple players and grabbing an offensive rebound, Canton players relentlessly competed Wednesday against Williamson.

That effort symbolized what has been at the core of a remarkable turnaround. Canton won three games combined the previous seasons, but is now writing quite a comeback story. So many times Canton’s players, especially the seniors, could have folded over the past four seasons, but they kept working, kept believing and now stand on the brink of history.

Matthews scored a season-high 26 points, Ridge Moore added 14 and Smithers grabbed 16 rebounds as Canton broke open a close District 4 Class AA quarterfinal in the second half and defeated Williamson, 54-40. Canton (14-10) won just the third playoff game in program history and can reach states for the first time if it wins one more game. The Warriors will try to that when they face Northeast Bradford in the semifinals at a time and date to be determined.

“It’s amazing. We struggled for so long and now we’ve come together as a team and we’re putting up wins,” Matthews said. “I never pictured that (going to states), but it’s a reality now if we win one more.”

Nobody thought Canton would be competing for a spot in states following the last three seasons and those that say they did are likely lying. Matthews is part of a senior class that endured two straight winless seasons their first two years before going 3-19 last year. Still, the Warriors worked hard throughout the offseason, overcame an 0-3 start and started making believers out of skeptics as they won their last six regular-season games.

Canton beat Williamson (9-14) for a fourth time and took control with a 17-0 third-quarter run that turned a tenuous three-point halftime advantage into a comfortable 41-21 lead. Everyone coach Brock Kitchen used made an impact and Smithers, Jacob Aumick (11) and Silas Binford (10) all reached double figures in rebounds. The Warriors came together, shined in their roles and showed why they have been able to turn things around so fast.

“We’re excited. We won two playoff games in our history before tonight and now this is a chance to win two in one year for the first time,” Kitchen said. “Winning that (Liberty) Christmas Tournament was the turning point for us. We took some poundings against good teams early, but they regrouped and they knew if they bought into the defense that we could do good things.”

That was evident in the third quarter when Canton held Williamson without a field goal. The Warriors outscored Williamson 17-0 until the quarter’s final eight seconds before Andrew Hackett made a free throw. By that time Canton had built a 20-point lead. The Warriors did not let up in the fourth, extending the lead to 49-26.

“They bought in on defense and it’s shown,” Kitchen said. “We held them to one point in the third quarter and I can’t ask for better than that.”

Matthews put on a shooting clinic, draining six 3-pointers. He scored 14 of Canton’s first 18 points and also had a hand in the first six straight points during the game-breaking 17-0 run that he opened with a 3-pointer. Matthews also grabbed five rebounds and made four steals.

“I just quit thinking and let it fly and it felt good,” Matthews said. “I was really nervous at first but once we found our groove it was awesome.”

Moore is a four-year starter and his experience was a huge asset in that second half after Williamson had pulled within three at halftime. Moore smoothly ran the offense, made some impressive plays going to the basket and did a nice job setting up teammates for quality shots.

Canton also pounded the boards and outrebounded Williamson, 44-32. Smithers was a force, grabbing nine first-half rebounds and scoring six straight points in the third quarter during the 17-0 run. Smithers finished with a double-double, going for 10 points and 16 rebounds.

“Ridge is doing a great job. He handled the ball so well in the second half. I expect it and he’s delivered. His maturity has grown by leaps and bounds,” Kitchen said. “Smithers works so hard. That kid doesn’t say a word, but he just battles. He has a great mentality.”

So do all the Warriors. That is how this team has risen from the ashes. The past three seasons were rough, he Warriors have become a source of community pride and they hope this is just the start.

“Coach told us from the start. He said if we work hard we’ll be at this point. We did what we he asked and now we’re here,” Matthews said. “Everyone in school is saying how they’ve never seen a team like this in Canton. It feels good.”

WILLIAMSON (40)

Collin Heilbrun 1 1-2 4, Nevin Styles 4 1-2 9, Simon Fish 1 0-0 3, Sam Fish 6 0-1 13, Andrew Hackett 2 3-5 8, Kolby Allen 0 0-2 0, Tristan Templeman 1 0-2 2, Allen Hackler 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 6-16 40.

CANTON (54)

Ridge Moore 6 2-5 14, Byron Matthews 7 6-8 26, Michael Smithers 4 2-2 10, Jacob Aumick 2 0-1 4, Silas Binford 0 0-0 0, Kobe Walker 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 10-16 54.

Williamson 9 12 1 18 — 40

Canton 15 9 17 13 — 54

3-point goals: Williamson 4 (Heilbrun 1, Styles 1, Sa. Fish 1, Hackett 1); Canton 6 (Matthews 6).

Records: Canton (14-10), Williamson (9-14).

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