Chiefs blow by Saline, 53-13, in opener

BY ED WRIGHT
Dec. 1, 2009, 11:45 p.m.

  There's nothing like being on the right side of a 40-point blowout to get the early-season momentum flowing.

  Canton made an emphatic opening statement at Saline Tuesday night, swatting the Hornets, 53-13, in the season opener for both teams.

  The Chiefs led 16-5 after one quarter before shutting out the Hornet in the second on the way to a 31-5 halftime lead.

  "It was a good team effort," said Canton coach Brian Samulski. "All nine kids scored so it was a solid outing for the entire team.

  Junior forward Kari Schmitt paced the Chiefs with 19 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter. Schmitt, who spent extra time working on her perimeter shot during the off-season, knocked down a triple in the opening eight minutes.

  "The girls really got after it defensively," said Samulski.

  Robyn Mack added nine points and Alyssa Cottrell poured in eight for the winners. Schmitt added six rebounds and five steals, while Mack's scoresheet also included two steals and four boards.

  Cottrell notched four steals in the Chiefs' supreme defensive effort.

  Canton made 6 of 11 free throws while the Hornets stung on the twine on just 4 of 17 attempts.

  The Chiefs extended their lead to 37-10 after three quarters.