Canton cagers thump last year's
nemesis Livonia Franklin, 50-35

Jan. 20, 2010, 2:15 a.m.

  After giving up an uncharacteristically high number of first-half points at Livoina Franklin Tuesday night and trailing 25-24 at the break, Canton's defense emerged from the halftime locker room like Popeye after tearing through a spinach buffet.

  The Chiefs flexed their defensive muscle in the third quarter, holding the Patriots to zero points in an eventual 50-35 victory.

  To get an idea of how thorough Canton's defensive stand was in the second half, Franklin's first field goal of the half didn't come until the 2:14 mark of the fourth quarter.

  The victory improved the Chiefs' record to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association's South Division. Franklin tumbled to 6-3 and 3-1, respectively.

  "Franklin still has a very solid team, but we didn't defend well in the first half, giving up 25 points," said Canton coach Brian Samulski. "We came out in the third quarter and got after it defensively."

  Canton led 35-25 after three before outscoring their hosts 15-10 in the final quarter.

  Sara Schmitt led all scorers with 17 points. She also ripped down seven rebounds and recorded four thefts.

  Kari Schmitt also shined, registering 12 points, seven rebounds an dthree steals. Lindsay Winters was stellar from outside, ripping the nets for 12 points.

  Canton hit 14 of 22 free throws. Franklin was 13 of 21 from the line.