March 29, 2024

SPORTS ROUNDUP

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EPHS Boys & Girls Basketball – State Tourney Bound

Girls Semifinal Game vs. West Warwick
The Townie girls basketball team finally learned what it is like to lose as they took a surprise 62-32 loss to a fired up West Warwick squad before a standing room crowd at East Providence High School.  The game was never in question as the Wizzards jumped out to a big early lead and never looked back.  East Providence missed multiple opportunities to score and never got on track.  Makiah Denson had 13 points including two three pointers, Mya Lambert 6 points and no other EP player had more than 4.  West Warwick had three players in double figures with Tori Bird at 18, Kellylyn Kozlin 15 and Liz Gresian with 12.   The Townies had to come from behind in many of their prior 18 consecutive wins but couldn’t get it done in the division II semifinal.  “We’re back to work getting ready for the open State Championship,” said EP coach Bay Lambert.  “We are not done yet,” he added.

The Townies set a school record with an 18-0 regular season 1st place finish.  The loss to West Warwick jolted the Townies from the Division II playoff, but the now 18-1 Townies will participate in the open statewide championship tourney.  East Providence is ranked number 2 across all divisions in the state.  East Providence, with its freshmen filled lineup, should be among Rhode Island’s top contenders for a while.  The RI Interscholastic League tourney is being scheduled at REPORTER press time.  Schedules and results will be posted at www.ReporterToday.com.

Quarterfinal Game vs. Coventry
Heading into last month’s quarterfinal match against Coventry, the Townies were 17-0, ranked number one in the division and as high as number two, of all teams statewide.  “I think the girls were a bit nervous, especially our young players, but they eventually figured it out,” said Lambert.  Once again, the young Townies were skittish in the first half as they got behind Coventry early.   Coventry was only down by six points at halftime and was intent on upsetting the Townies. The second half was all Townies.  Behind the trio of Mya Lambert (16 pts, 11 rebounds), Kayla Hannon 13 pts. with two 3-pointers, 9 rebounds and Makiah Denson’s 12 points and 11 rebounds, EP opened up the game and ran away with the 62-48 win.

Classy Moment at Game’s End
Toward the end of the game with a Townie victory firmly in hand, the opposing coaches had a conversation and embraced.  Seconds later a “special” student for Coventry entered the game.  As EP players shadowed but did not defend against the player directly, the Coventry player dribbled the ball toward her basket.  A few uncontested layups missed with both teams rebounding and handing her the ball again.  Upon her scoring a layup, the full house of fans applauded as they were already standing and offering encouragement.  She would score again and then the referee blew his whistle and put the player on the foul line.  As she missed a couple shots, the referee insisted that she keep shooting the ball.  She scored and the crowd erupted again in applause.  The final seconds ticked off and the scoreboard showed a Townie victory, but the night belonged to this young “special” athlete from Coventry who ended her season as a happy winner.

The Road to a record Winning Streak
The East Providence High School girls’ basketball team has set historic records on their march toward a Division II state championship.  Three years ago, new Townie coach and former Townie basketball player, Bay Lambert, began rebuilding the program.  After a successful 2017-18 season which saw the Townies go 14-4 and just losing out in the state championship game, the team graduated most players.  Lambert took over and persevered with losing records in 2018-19 (0-18), 2020 (1-17) and 2021 (3-6) in a COVID shortened season.  “The team never gave up through all the tough losses,” said Lambert.  “I pushed them hard but they responded and didn’t lose heart.”  After a season of dealing with COVID and some injuries, the team began to gel and win games in the current 2021-22 season.  Remarkably, the Townies are a young team and start three freshmen every game.  “Our first-year players combined with some unselfish senior players have proven to be a winning combination for the now undefeated Lady Townies.  The Townies surprised much of the state when they started to pile up wins early on.  Oddly enough, East Providence started most games slowly but usually took charge in the second half.

Battle of the Undefeated
In a late-season game the undefeated Townies met Rogers in a standing room only crowd at EPHS.  It was billed as a potential shootout between two Division II girls undefeated basketball teams. East Providence and Rogers were each averaging about 57 points per game and had identical 13-0 records leading into the game, February 9th at home. The Townies came away with a 46-37 win to remain undefeated. The game was the first this season under relaxed fan attendance guidelines due to Covid. While there was no limit on fan attendance, masks were required.

The Townies came out a bit flat and trailed the Vikings in the early going. Usually reliable EP players missed some easy shots and there were a few too many errant passes. Rogers employed a tenacious full court press to slow the Townies offense. “It was nerves, all nerves,” said the Townies energetic and animated coach, Bay Lambert after the game. “For the first time the girls played before a crowd. It was standing room only. Even the second-floor track overhead was used to allow fans in the gym. We start three freshmen, but they exceeded expectations in that first half and came from behind to tie the game at half,” continued Lambert. Indeed the Townies got behind by 6 or 7 points but a tenacious defense and some timely offense tied the score at the half before a frenzied crowd.

“Defensively we made some young mistakes and offensively we did too, but the grit and resilience and the energy that this team possesses is absolutely out of this atmosphere. This team loves each other on and off the court,” added the coach. Energy is also one of many adjectives ascribed to coach Lambert. In just his third season as head coach, he has led his team from hardly winning to sitting on top of Division II yet to lose a game. He may be the loudest cheerleader in the gym. When his team is down, he shows a calming but firm coaching style and when the players respond and look good, Lambert often explodes in applause and screams and points to the crowd (just parents and faculty could attend prior to Feb. 8th) urging them to get loud. The crowd was raucous and supportive, on their feet a lot during the game.

“This game (tied at halftime) could have gone either way. That team there (Rogers) is a good team. They are all juniors and a senior. We knew that we would have to fight their experience all night. But we also knew that in our house we would have to impose our will and keep making them run and be more athletic. Rogers has our utmost respect. They are very good and we will see them again as playoffs are coming up. But good teams win and I’m so proud of my players for pulling this off tonight. They persevered and wanted this win,” said Lambert. “What a great game for everyone.”

Lambert said that he really didn’t make any great adjustments at halftime. “It was all about fundamentals. Protect the ball, stop giving them rebounds and easy shots and to start guarding the players without the ball. We began to deny, deny, deny. We also put them in foul trouble in the second half which was a key because we have a deeper bench,” added Lambert.  Makiah Denson led EP with 14 points, 8 steals and 14 rebounds.  Mya Lambert had 13 points. while Breena Hannon added 11 and Kayla Hannon chipped in with 6. Arianna Ingram tossed in 2 points for the Townies 46-point total.

Two more wins but with a scare
The Townies reached the 17-0 mark at the end of the season, but not without a scare from lowly Mount Pleasant and Smithfield.  After Mount Pleasant stayed with the Townies for quite a while, EP finally pulled out the 66-53 win.  Mya Lambert’s 21 points and Breena Hannon’s 13 were key to the Townies win.  In the regular season finale, the Townies were truly tested at home with a 38-36 win over Smithfield.  Sisters Kayla and Breena Hannon each scored 13 points.  The rest of the team only scored a total of 12 points collectively.  Kim Boisvert scored 14 in a losing cause for Smithfield.  EP slipped by with the slight win to remain undefeated.

Prior Townie Players Following the 2022 Edition
The Townie girls’ teams have come close to winning a State Championship through the years. The 1976-77 Lady Townies were 10-2, 1977-78 were 13-1 and the 1978-79 squad was 14-0 and 1980-81 was 10-4.  These were all very good teams but fell short of a state championship.  The Townies were in a drought for wins from 1982 until 2008 with the 2009 and 2010 Townies going 12-5 and 14-2 respectively.  The Townies have two girls who made it to the 1,000-point career mark. Michael Wiggins, 2011 was the first in school history to reach that coveted distinction. Wiggins was nominated to the McDonald's All-American Team in 2011, after also grabbing over 1000 rebounds in her career as well. Wiggins is a now successful actress of film, television and theatre. She described flying home to see the Townies 2017 division state championship game.  "I flew in to see the girls play in the championship.  Once a Townie always a Townie!" said Wiggins.  “Good luck to the Townies! Playing basketball at East Providence helped shape me into the person I am today.

Angie Leonardo, Class of 2016, was the second girl to score 1,000 points for the Townies. Leonardo's record was also set as East Providence made a good run through the state playoffs.  Leonardo was a talented ball handler for the Townies and prolific scorer. Leonardo scored 5 three-pointers and went 8 for 10 at the foul line, adding to her total of 27 points in the victory over EWG to reach the 1000 point milestone. “I am still close with many of my former EP teammates. We are family at this point! The girls basketball program is very special at East Providence. During many practices we had alumni come in to assist. We even had some fun competitions and scrimmages. The alumni network runs deep and we are all cheering on this year's team!” said Leonardo.  After EP, Leonardo went to URI and played club rugby there. “I transferred to RIC where I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Chemical Dependency and Addiction Studies.  My junior year and senior year at RIC I played lacrosse. Unfortunately, I tore my ACL my first game senior year a week before the season got cancelled due to covid!”

“This is wonderful!  I’m happy to support and follow the 2022 team,” said former player Carlene Casciano-McCann, EPHS 1980.  Casciano-McCann is an EPHS Hall of Fame inductee and Executive Director of the Saint Mary’s Home for Children in North Providence, RI. She has been honored with the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award.  She was voted "Outstanding Student-Athlete" and "Most Athletic" during her senior year at EP. She was Captain of the basketball and volleyball teams during her senior year and was 2nd team All-State in both.      

“This (current) team has all of East Providence excited,” said Angie Leonardo.  “We all wish them well in a great season! Most of my favorite memories from high school are from basketball. I would love to tell this team congratulations thus far on such a successful season! They are keeping townie pride alive! My advice to them would be to appreciate every game, every practice, and every moment with each other. The wins are a bonus and are not the only measure of success,” said Leonardo.  NOTE: Angie’s father, George Leonardo, played for the boys team at EP.  His 1976 team was the last to win a boys state basketball championship at EP.  Leonardo’s last second shot, after stealing the ball, beat LaSalle for the exciting State Championship.

Former girls head coach Michael Solitro, also sent in congratulations and good luck to the 2022 Townie girls.  “Our 2016-17 run was a great one as the girls finished 20-3 and 15-3 in the division.  “After defeating Westerly in the semi-finals, we ended up as runner-up in the State Championship game,” recalled Solitro.  That 2017 team then went on to the open state championship tournament eventually losing out to LaSalle in the quarterfinals.  “The incredible run of the current team brings back fond memories of Lady Townie basketball teams.  “The ‘09-2010 team enjoyed a 21-4 season and lost a quarterfinal game by a half-court shot at the buzzer by Tolman,” added Solitro.  “Go 2020!  Keep Townie Pride going strong.”

EPHS Boys Basketball Make Playoffs, States
In action last month, the Townies Xavier Hazard 24 points, Max Collins 15 and Jay Gonsalves 9, led to a 71 to 68 win over Woonsocket.  Next up, East Providence trounced Mount Pleasant 75 to 47 on the road.  Trey Rezendes had 18 points and Max Collins added 14 with Xavier Hazard’s 13.  It was the 11th win for the playoff bound Townies.  EP rounded out the regular season with wins over Cranston East, Portsmouth and East Greenwich.  Losses were to LaSalle and Central.

After the Townies bopped East Greenwich 74 to 55, they entered the preliminary playoffs against Central at home.  The Townies couldn’t stop Central’s Jayden Livent and his 35 points, including 5 three-pointers.  Central went on to win by a close 67 to 60 score.  The higher ranked Townies were led by a trio of scorers, Xavier Hazard 15, Trey Rezendes 15 and Max Collins with 13 points.  Collins had 3 three-pointers for EP.  Even though the Townies were knocked out of the divisional playoffs, they will still get to play in the statewide championship tournament due to their high statewide ranking.

Townie Wrestling

Townie Grapplers are led by veteran 31-year coach Tom Galligan
Almost forgotten by EP sports fans this year is the success of the East Providence High School wrestling team.  Heading into last month’s divisional wrestling sectional tournament at Coventry High School, the Townies were undefeated and had seemingly gone under the radar.

2nd in the D2 Sectional tournament. 
Winners were: Martin Moniz - 1st @ 120lbs; Michael Foster - 2nd @ 126lbs; Charles Phillips - 3rd @ 145lbs; Hayden Duqutte-Decristofaro - 3rd @ 132lbs; Jacob Poore - 3rd @ 160lbs; Machah Francis - 3rd @ 285 lbs; Robert Amaral - 3rd @ 182lbs; Robert Arrendondo - 6th @ 152lbs; Steven Clark - 7th @ 195lbs and Brady Delroy - 8th @ 106lbs.

Townies Quietly Have Winning Season
Getting most of the attention this season, deservedly, was the boys and girls basketball, swimming and other sports.  Townie wrestlers finished second in the multi-school sectional tournament.  “Yes,” chuckled veteran Townie wrestling coach Tom Galligan when asked about his team’s “quiet” undefeated season at that point.  Galligan and team were finishing a practice before a recent boys basketball game at home.  “It’s been a great season.  We’ve had to deal with COVID postponements and injuries, but our kids have responded well,” said the now 31-year veteran coach.  Coach Galligan is also the popular East Providence area Career & Technical Center construction teacher.  Entering year 31 of coaching, Galligan replied with a serious smile, “I’m not going anywhere for a while.  Galligan recalled his years at EPHS when he wrestled for Jim McMahon and Manuel Vinhateiro.  “I’ve been associated with Townie wrestling for a long time.  After McMahon, Ken Whorf and Mr. Vinhateiro coached, then I took over,” said Galligan.  Townie officials and fans are glad Coach Galligan has stayed with the program for three decades and is still going strong.

“We missed a match earlier because of the weather, but you know wrestlers, we would have come in if they let us.  We’ll compete in any weather or conditions!” Galligan laughed.  Indeed, wrestling can be very difficult to follow.  The rules are mostly known by players, coaches and serious fans of the sport.  It isn’t always easy to follow team scores with multi-school meets and weight restrictions, etc.  Wrestlers may endure the toughest regiment of conditioning and practice of all sport.  “Wrestlers put in many tough hours of practice and their endurance level is extremely strong.  Sometimes a wrestler may practice all week but may not have a match if an opponent doesn’t meet weight or a slot isn’t available.  But the wrestler must be prepared anyway.”

Galligan has seen and coached many great wrestlers since the early 1990’s when he started his coaching career.  The 2022 squad has quietly won matches and has impressed those who have been able to see the team compete.  “I’m not a social media guy, I just coach hard and push these kids to compete.  I know there hasn’t been much buzz about us, but we’re wrestlers and we’re tough,” he laughed.  Galligan is the toughest one on the court usually.  He doesn’t sugarcoat things with his wrestlers.  He will give them a stern earful when needed and consistently drives his student-athletes to excel.  However, in the end, Galligan’s compassion and concern for each player is obvious.  “His wrestlers respect him highly and East Providence is fortunate to have a great teacher and coach like Tom Galligan,” said Athletic Director Gregg Amore.  “Not only is the coach well respected here but he is one of the best in all of Rhode Island.”

Bay View Teams Doing Well

Basketball Semi Final
Bay View is on their way to the division I championship after bopping Cranston West 60 to 51 on 2/24/22 at Cranston.  The Bengals were led by Siera Baptista 22 points, Ahtiana Benway 20 points and Maggie McKitchen with 10.  Benway lit up the court with 5 three pointers for Bay View in the win.  Maylina Cotto-Santaigo had 4 three pointers for Cranston West.  The Bengals will face North Kingstown for the Division I division title at Rhode Island College.  North Kingstown barely beat Bay View in two earlier season games, 53-52 and 41-39. Finals results will be posted by ReporterToday.com.

Quarterfinal Upset Win
Bay View had an exciting Division I quarterfinal win 47-46 upset win over Ponagansett in tourney play.  Ponagansett had beaten Bay View earlier in the month.  Bay View was losing by 11 points at half time but got back into the game and pulled out the one-point win.  Bay View was down going into the last quarter but played great defense and hit on some key foul shooting.  Maggie McKitchen had 15 points and Ahtiana Benway scored 12. Ce Baptista added 10 points.

The Bay View Girls Track Team won the Division Title for the first time in 20 years. “Our undefeated (11-0) season included important wins over Moses Brown and North Smithfield.  20 All Division awards were earned and 13 athletes advanced to the State Meet.  Additionally, 2 athletes will compete at the New England Regional Championship in Boston on March 5th.,” said school officials.

The school sends congratulations to Izzy Chou who captured the @riil_sports Division Championship in the 100 Breastroke late last month.  Chou claimed 2nd place at the RIIL Divisional Championships with a strong swim in the 200IM.

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