By JIM EXLINE

The Press-News

The East Canton boys basketball team kept its flawless record intact by defeating Waterloo on Wednesday, Jan. 27 by the score of 56-37, and then defeating Woodridge by the score of 85-45 on Friday, Jan. 29.

Against Waterloo, the Hornets were down early, trailing after one period 14-9. During the second period, East Canton scored 16 points while holding Waterloo to just two points, taking a score of 25-16 into the half. After three, the score was 38-18, Hornets.

Leading scorers for East Canton were Zell Bradley and Josh Smith with 15 each. Bradley also had five steals as well as five assists. Ryan Burfield added 12 points, including three 3-pointers. Brandon Slater had eight rebounds.

Against Woodridge, the Hornets led 19-12 after one. They had their best period in the second, scoring 24 points to Woodridge's 12, to lead 43-24 at the half. The Hornets scored 20 points in the third, while holding Woodridge to just four points, to make it a 63-28 game after three periods.

East Canton shot 44 percent from the floor while sinking an impressive 86 percent from the line. Burfield was the leading scorer with 22 points. Bradley added 18, and Sam Elseser had 13.

The Hornets had 34 rebounds and 13 assists. Smith led all rebounders with 11, and Slater had seven grabs. Burfield had six steals, and Bradley had six assists.

Next for the Hornets is a home game against Tuslaw. That game will have been played by press time. The Hornets will then host Mogadore on Friday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.