First-place Chiefs trample Patriots

Feb. 10, 2010, 1:45 a.m.

  When Kevin Weisz's jumper is clicking and Dietrich Lever is driving, dishing and scoring, Canton's basketball team is tough to beat.

  Just ask Livonia Franklin.

  On Tuesday, the Chiefs sprinted past the Patriots, 59-42, to remain tied with Wayne Memorial atop the KLAA South with a 7-2 record.

  Canton, which  improved to 10-5 overall, was bolstered by the strong play of Weisz (19 points, six rebounds, three triples) and Lever, who poured in 18 points while handing out eight assists.

  It was the Chiefs' work on the glass that proved to be the difference in the estimation of coach Jimmy Reddy.

  "We did a lot better job rebounding than we did Friday night against Plymouth," Reddy noted. "We won the rebounding battle, 27-17, so that was huge.

  "We did a good job against Franklin's one-three-one zone. We worked the ball around and didn't settle for threes. And Dietrich did a good job of getting to the rim and either scoring or setting up a good shot for one of his teammates."

  Canton led 13-10 after one quarter and 29-20 at the half before breaking open the contest with a 19-point third quarter to earn a 48-33 edge heading into the final eight minutes.

  Mike Gadsby led the hosts with 16 points.

  The Chiefs were proficient from the free throw line, canning 13 of 16 attempts. The Pats were nine of 12 from the stripe.

  Canton hosts Westland John Glenn on Friday. The Chiefs are idle next week during mid-winter break.