March 29, 2024

Sports Update

Posted

High School Football is Back – Sort Of
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) is allowing high schools to resume playing football, albeit on a limited schedule and with limited spectator attendance.  School athletic directors have been told that schools can fully practice football starting on March 1, 2021.  The RIIL issued their statement with the caveat to schools that “we are waiting to receive the new guidance document from the state and will distribute (to schools) immediately.”  The State has clarified that under the current executive order member schools can fully practice football.     

The first day of “padded” practice is March 1st with helmet only on days 1 & 2.  The only contact allowed will be with the use of “air & bags.”  Days 3 to 5 helmets and shoulder pads are okay with full pads being allowed on day 6.  Scrimmages or joint practices can be scheduled after Monday, March 15th.

The RIIL is planning for a five-game regular season. The league can start play the week after March 19th.   Truncated playoffs will only have semifinals and finals.  State Super Bowls are scheduled for May 1st and 2nd.  When the Townies do get to play the team will feature a new head coach – Jonathan Stringfellow.

EPHS Hockey
The combined East Providence – Mt. Hope High hockey team’s season came to an end late last month with a hard fought 4-2 playoff loss to NK.  “It was a very good season and I wish the best of luck to Townie Senior Nathan Perry who played in his final high school game. Nathan is a great kid, hard worker and true sportsman. He has represented EPHS extremely well both on and off the ice,” said EP athletic Director Gregg Amore.  Earlier the East Providence/Mt. Hope  blended team scored an overtime 4-3 win over Coventry in an opening round playoff game.

EPHS Swim Teams
The Townie Girls Swim Team enjoyed a playoff victory against Tolman and the undefeated Division Champion Boys Swim Team has also won their first meet in the state quarterfinals.  At press time the swim teams are scheduled to advance and updates will be provided at ReporterToday.com.

EPHS Boys Basketball
East Providence was bounced from early playoff action by Central High in a 58-57 thrilling loss on February 26th.  As noted by head coach Joe Andrade after the game, the Townies are very young and have great potential.  “Yes was a tough loss we are extremely young gained some great experience for the multiple freshman and sophomore who played all year,” said coach Andrade.  Indeed, one of the mainstays of the young Townies was the talented 9th grader Trey Resendes who was an immediate starter.

The Townies Brian Taylor scored the 1,000th point of his high school combined career in an 85-68 win last month over PCD.  Taylor accumulated these points at both Coyle & Cassidy and East Providence High Schools.  In other February action, EP defeated top rated Classical High as Brian Taylor scored 24 with freshman Trey Resendes’ 18 and Max Collins tossing in 14 points. 

D-1 N.  Standings      W         L
La Salle Academy       9          1         
Mount Pleasant           8          3         
Wheeler School           5          1         
Barrington                   8          4         
East Providence          7          5         
Smithfield High          5          6         
Cumberland                5          4         
PCD                            2          9         
Woonsocket                1          4         
Shea High School       1          9         

EPHS Girls Basketball
The rebuilding Townie girls’ team continues to show progress with just one senior player on the roster.  EP defeated a tough Prout squad 49-44 late last month.  Senior Arianna Soares and Estrella D’Ambra led the Townies 4th quarter charge in the come from behind win.  After a loss by several points, coach Bay Lambert was still energized.  “The refs came up to me at the end of the game and said that ‘our young group is giving up a lot of size but that they fight like dogs. It’s inspiring to watch coach.’ “We went through a lot this year and lost so many players. I have never been so proud of a group of young ladies.  This is going to do wonders for their confidence the next few years,” said coach Lambert.

RI Girls           W        L
Westerly          8          2         
Rogers             8          1         
Tiverton           6          3         
Narragansett    4          4         
Chariho           4          7         
Middletown    4          6         
Shea                3          5         
Prout               3          5         
E. Providence 3 6         
Tolman            0          8

RMS Basketball
The RMS boys basketball season got off to a bumpy start dropping the opener 64-48 on the road at Barrington but has bounced back nicely.   “After a back and forth first quarter, the team trailed by 1.  Barrington extended the lead out to 24 before the team battled back to get back to 10. The team never gave up and fought all the way to the final whistle. The team was lead by Skyller Garcia with 21 points, including 5 threes, Eddie Turay's 11, Justin Jardine's 7, Darius Davis' 4, Manny Taveras' 3, and Caden Corbett's 2 points,” reported coach Scott Breault.

The team overcame a slow shooting starting to pick up their first win of the season 41-30 on the road against De La Salle.  “The boys trailed 25-17 at half before turning up the defense. The team used a 14-0 third quarter to take the lead 32-25 and never looked back. The team was led by Eddie Turay's 16 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks and Skyller Garcia's 14 points. Others getting in the score column were Manny Tavares with 4 points, Joseph Chaves with 3 points and numerous rebounds, and Gavin Palumbo & Justin Jardin with 2 points each,” added Breault.

The boys continued their improved play on February 15th with a 47-31 home victory over Tiverton. The team was led by Eddie Turay's dominating 22 point offensive performance. Skyller Garcia also helped out on offense with 14 points. Others getting in the score column were Gavin Palumbo with 5 and Peter Pereira and Darius Davis with 3 points each.  The boys team extended their winning streak to 3 games following a 66-55 road win over Kickemuit. The team was led by the two headed monster Skyller Garcia and Eddie Turay. Skyller led the team with 26 points and Eddie added 22 points.  Others contributing on offense were Darius Davis with 8 and Joseph Chaves & Manny Taveras with 5 points each.

The boys extended their win streak to 4 with a 57-36 road victory over Ferri. The team used a balanced offensive attack led by Skyller Garcia's 17, Eddie Turay's 12, Manny Taveras' 11, and Darius Davis' 7 points. Other getting into the scoring column was Justin Jardine with 4, Caden Corbett with 3, Joseph Chaves with 2, and Gavin Palumbo with 1 point.

RMS Girls Basketball
The girls basketball team started the season strong with a home-opener victory, defeating Barrington 48-16.  Breena Hannon led in scoring with 21 points, but solid ball movement allowed many players to contribute, with Ariana Ingram, who had many team assists, and newcomer Zarae Hall, both scoring 10 points each. Harmonie McDowell added a 3-pointer, while Isabel Tavares and Shelby Quinn added 2 points each.

The team then defeated Bayview  46-11, giving the girls a 2-0 record at the time and a great start to the season. Strong 8th grade leadership dominated the floor, with Breena Hannon and Ariana Ingram leading the team with 13 points each, while Harmonie McDowell trailed closely behind with 11 points. Zarae Hall had 6 points, while Daisha German-Silva and Isabel Tavares each contributed a pair.

In Other High School Athletics:
Dylan Slavick, EPHS freshman is a state champion in the high jump, and now a state meet qualifier.  Townies Emma Heatherton finished in 2nd place in the 55m hurdles at the Freshman States.  Townie senior Colin Capelo was selected to the RI 1st Team All State Soccer team. Capelo was also named to the  Academic All State Team.

City Little Leagues Accepting Registrations
The EP Central Little League has shared links of all three leagues in the city regarding the upcoming season.  “With the start of Spring Baseball and Softball season just over a month away your 3 local leagues have been busy making preparations for a safe 2021 season for players and their families. If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time.  All Leagues want to make sure your child has a great experience.  Please reach out to your local league with any questions,” said CLL president Chuck Michael.  Sign up links are below

Families in need may qualify for the @TMobile Little League Call Up Grant Program, which helps cover registration fees for those in need. Apply now: https://everykidsports.org/.../tmobile.../Application/

Rumford Little League: https://www.rumfordll.com

Riverside Little League: https://www.rllri.org

EP Central LL: https://www.epcll.com 

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