Canavan ls big reason for Dunmore turnaround basketball season
By Steve Svetovich
Dunmore High School junior forward Brayden Canavan has picked up his game and it’s showing with the Bucks off to a fast start this season. And it’s a huge turnaround from last season. The Bucks won their first five games under coach Mark Finan.
Son of Wayne and Faith Canavan, the 6-2 junior power forward scored 16, 13, 12, 12, and 16 points in the first five games. He has been a model of consistency,
“We have a team that’s going to make a really good run this season and next year, too,” he said. “We have the right players on this team to make it work. We are going to be very strong for a couple years with this group. We think we can win a district title and go far into the state playoffs.”
The Bucks were 8-14 last season, but are already getting close to exceeding last season’s wins total.
Brayden’s sister, Tristan Canavan, was a standout all-state softball player and key member of the Lady Bucks basketball state championship team at Dunmore. She is currently a freshman at Cecil College in Maryland.
Brayden’s parents play a big role in his life, “They say to respect the people above me. Work hard in school. Always work very hard on and off the court.”
The scholar-athlete has a 3.5 academic average at Dunmore. He was a cornerback on the freshman football team. He is a member of TACT as well as the Earth and French Clubs.
Multi-versed, Brayden said his best academic subject is math. He is undecided on a future college, but would like to study engineering and play basketball in college.
He talked about what it takes to excel at the power forward position in high school basketball. “You need to play physical, box out, and crash the boards,” he said. “You need to play big in the point and be able to distribute the ball.”
The tough-minded forward said he has learned a lot from Coach Finan. “He teaches us to always be on time and respect others. Be kind to others. Always work hard in life.”
Brayden talked about his future goals.
“Well, first I want to help Dunmore win a district title or two. Then I want to play basketball at a Division I or II college and eventually become an engineer.”
He talked about the vast improvement of this year’s team. “We have a lot of character,” he said. “We have great team chemistry on and off the court. It shows with our performance,”
Brayden enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Creed in concert. He plans on seeing them at Montage Mountain this summer. “I can’t wait.”
A three-year member of Dunmore’s basketball team, Brayden was a member of the All-Lynett Tournament basketball team last season. He was also the recipient of the Joseph McDonald Award as the Dunmore basketball team MVP.
“Dunmore has been a very good school for me,” he said. “The sports here are very well organized. I like it here a lot.”
