Boys' Varsity Basketball vs Canterbury School

Score/Result: 65-54 W

The Taft basketball team opened the 2012-13 season on the road Saturday against a very good Canterbury Saints squad.  The Rhinos were looking to avenge a two game series sweep by the Saints a year ago.  Thanks to a 10-0 run to open the game, Taft was able to earn a hard fought victory by the score of 65-54.  The final does not represent how close this game was for most of the contest.  Canterbury was relentless with their defensive pressure throughout and was able to tie the game up at the break, 23-23.  The second half remained tight with the Rhinos holding a slight advantage until the team pulled away in the final 3 minutes.  Co-captains Tim Drakeley and Kade Kager went 6-6 from the free throw line to ice the game.

Joey Flannery led all Taft scores with 18 points and added 9 rebounds.  Kager had 14 and point guard Shawn Strickland rounded out the double figure scorers with 11 and 6 steals.  Quinton Dale (8 points) and Bulolo Jonga gave the Rhinos a strong interior presence and Matt Droney and O'Shea Bell made strong contributions off the bench as they returned from preseason injuries.

Taft will play their home openers Wednesday at 4:00 when the Choate Wild Boars visit the Cruikshank Gym.  Choate has played in the Class A NE championship game the past two years and is again a favorite to get back to finals.