The Greenwood High School Bulldogs were clearly overmatched against Canton, but they kept fighting.
In the end, however, the Bulldogs crumbled under Canton's relentless full-court pressure - falling 81-58 Tuesday night at GHS.
"Turnovers are continuing to haunt us," first-year Greenwood coach Kelvin Young said. "But you've got to give Canton credit. They flat out get after you and just keep coming."
With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 4-15 overall, 2-6 in the Region 3-4A standings.
Canton scored the first eight points of the game and led by
as many as 18 in the first period. But GHS reeled off the final eight points of the period on 3-pointers from Jerome Simmons and Falando Jones and a layup by Lavoris Weathers to cut Canton's lead to 10, 23-13.
The Bulldogs were on the verge of being blown out in the second period as Canton built a 20-point advantage. GHS closed the first half with a 7-2 run and trailed 39-26 at the half.
Sparked by Weathers and Jones, the Bulldogs pulled within six, 39-33, with 6:01 left in the third. But as the turnovers mounted, so did Canton's lead.
The Tigers closed the third with a 16-5 run for a 61-42 lead.
GHS got no closer than 15 in the fourth.
Center Kendrick Black scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, including two slam dunks, to keep Canton in control.
Lloyd Henderson added 21.
Weathers, a junior center, paced GHS with 22 points, and Jones, a sophomore guard, added 20.
In the girls' game, the Lady Bulldogs avenged an earlier overtime loss to Canton with a resounding 53-31 victory to improve to 11-7 on the season, 3-5 in Region 3-4A play.
GHS led 22-13 at the half and outscored Canton 18-3 in the third to take total control of the contest.
Senior guard Adrian Smith paced the Lady Dogs with a team-high 19 points. She also grabbed eight rebounds. Senior guard Whitney Saulsberry added 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Charol Higgins chipped in with nine points, and Brittany Carter had eight assists, six rebounds and four points.
Greenwood hosts league foe Callaway Friday night.
