Kevin Weisz contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday night.

Canton gets defensive in second half, steamrolls Chargers, 61-48

BY ED WRIGHT
Jan. 12, 2010, 11:35 p.m.

  Canton's boys basketball team did the equivalent of posting a "Lane Closed" sign at the top of the key during the second half of its KLAA South Division game at Livonia Churchill Tuesday night.

  The Chiefs' success in stopping the Chargers from driving through the paint was pivotal in their 61-48 victory.

  "Churchill got in the lane way too much in the  first half, so we concentrated on closing that down in the second half," said Canton coach Jimmy Reddy, whose team improved to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the division. "The guys did a nice job in the second half defensively.

  "Another key was rebounding. We outrebounded them 27-19 and held them to just one shot for the most part in the second half."

  Dietrich Lever nearly registered one of the most-difficult triple doubles to achieve, netting 17 points, nine assists and seven steals.  Kevin Weisz was solid as well, posting 17 points and 10 boards.

  Depth was huge for the Chiefs, who garnered 10-point nights from Brandon Duffey and Paul Baumgart.

  Aaron Bedell led the Chargers with 15 points.

  The game was knotted at 32-all at the half. The Chiefs took the lead for good in the third quarter when they outscored Churchill, 12-6. They closed the deal with a 17-point fourth quarter.

  Canton was 12 of 20 from the free throw line. Churchill, which dropped to 3-4 overall and 0-2 in the KLAA South, canned 6 of 10 freebies.