Lady Townies Play for First-Ever Title
East Providence girls’ basketball is seeking its first ever state championship when it takes on favored Narragansett next Thursday, March 6th at the AMP (former Civic Center). The Division II final will feature the experience of the mariners and the streaking Townies, winners of 10 of their last 11 games including a semifinal victory over Tiverton High on February 21st. The Townies defeated Tiverton 60-46 on the road in the Portsmouth High gym. The win vaulted East Providence into their first state final game in several years. Prior impressive wins over Mt. Hope, South Kingstown, Johnston, North Smithfield, and East Greenwich propelled the Townies into the quarter final match against Smithfield. East Providence had their hands full with Smithfield which kept the game close throughout. After a strong first quarter performance, the Townies had a 17-9 lead. Smithfield wouldn’t go away easily and at one point tied the game late in the contest. East Providence maintained control much of the game but Smithfield tied the score at 38-38 with 4:26 left in the game. EP went ahead 42-40 with 29 seconds left and held on for the 44-43 win.
Trinnity Provencher, junior forward, was reached after the Smithfield game for comments. “I never doubted our team at any point. Although it got really close sometime, I knew we could play together and do whatever it took to get that win. We all work together as one and communicate as much as possible,” said Provencher. “The team practiced hard in preparation for the type of game Smithfield plays,” said Townie Head Coach Tammy Drape.
Indeed, the Townies showed an ability to keep Smithfield in check most of the game. “Smithfield pushed us very hard and didn’t give. They played a very solid game. As for us, we never gave up either. “We wanted this win. As the game got more and more intense it made us want it more. There is no ‘I’ in our team, we are ‘one’ as it states on the front of our warmups,” continued Provencher. We break down to ‘Together’ every day after practice or a game.”
“Our full court pressure created 24 turnovers through the first three periods,” said coach Drape. “This defensive play and some key baskets gave us a 34-31 lead heading into the last quarter. Harmonie McDowell scored 8 of her 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the first half which proved to be the deciding factor in this game,” Drape said after the game. Other 4th quarter keys for the Townies were Katherine Amado with 8 points and 6 steals including a huge 3-point basket; Audrey Bernard (6 points 12 rebounds) adding a pair of baskets and Trinity Provencher scored 3 of her game total 10 points and 14 rebounds.
TEAM CREDITS COACH:
In the semifinal against Tiverton, EP started fast, built a lead and then absorbed a Tiverton comeback attempt and eventually pulled ahead for the win. Infrequent winners over the past couple of years, The Townies knew they were on to something with 2nd year Head Coach Tammy Drape at the helm. Drape who had success at both Tolman and St. Ray’s for years is in her second year with the Townies. “What a great community in EP. I am blessed to be able to coach a great group of girls and Alex Butler (EP Athletic Director) and his staff are amazing. Success starts from the top,” said Drape after the Tiverton win. Townie senior Harmonie McDowell said what the entire team felt; “We’re a different team than a couple years ago. We made a statement and led by coach Drape we play as one, a team,” she said. Echoing that sentiment was Provencher who repeated how the team ‘plays as one.’ “We are tight on and off the court and have each other’s backs,” said the talented Townie junior.
EP will face a challenge with Narragansett. The Mariners have one of the state’s best players in Grace Blessing and the team has been a title contender often. The Townies however are a balanced team and play with a “team effort” above individual performances. In the end both Narragansett and East Providence play balanced basketball and the D2 final is shaping up as a great game. The Townies have not won a girls basketball championship and is hoping for a school first on Thursday.
Other Townie Teams in State Tournaments
Wrestling
East Providence led by veteran Hall of Fame coach Tom Galligan is competing in the state championship finals at Reporter press time. The Townies are coming off a winning, competitive season and hope to do well in the state tournament being held at the Providence Career & Technical Academy.
East Providence High School senior Charlie Phillips won the RI State Championship held March 1st in the 138 pound weight class. The Townies finished a strong season as they participated in the finals at the Providence Career & Technical Academy in Providence, RI. Phillips defeated Benjamin White of South Kingstown in a dominating 23-9 performance. Phillips won four matches on the day to take the title. Overall, East Providence placed 5th in a 38 school tournament. The following Townies qualified for the tournament:
Swimming
The boys (2-3-1) and girls (9-0) swim teams are also competing in the state finals at press time. The finals meet will be held at Brown University.
Girls Hockey
The East Bay Girls Hockey Co-op, which includes EPHS and star player Sydney Olson, is competing in state Quarter Final action. Olson is the lone Townie player and has been selected for the RI Hockey Hall of Fame Showcase game. Olson plays on the East Bay Consolidated High School hockey team representing the East Providence High School. An all-star, Olson recently had a hat-trick (3 goals) performance and is one of the state’s most talented hockey players.
The ReporterToday.com will post updates on these tourney results.
EPHS Softball Preview
Townie varsity softball will be on the diamond in front of EPHS soon. The snow-covered turf is melting and Head Coach Katie Solitro is getting ready. “I am hopeful with the returning core group of upper-class contributors from the 2024 season,” said Solitro. “Our 2025 Seniors Emma Boisseau, Mackenzie Pimentel, and Sylvie Patterson, Juniors Cassandra Dulude, Nethania Figueroa and Trinity Provencher, and Sophomores Audrey Bernard and Marianna Pina will lead us this season.”
“Cassie Dulude and Marianna Pina will be on the mound this season, while both athletes are expected to be a force at the plate and contribute significantly in the field when not pitching.
Returning behind the plate is senior Emma Boisseau, and Sophomore Audrey Bernard. Both players contributed significantly to the team last year, both offensively and on defense. When not catching, both players will contribute in the field as well.
“Seniors Mackenzie Pimentel and Sylvie Patterson will hold down the middle infield, while Nethania Figueroa splits her time between the hot corner (third base) and outfield. All three returning players look to be a threat at the plate, continuing to positively impact the team. Speaking of the outfield, Junior Trinity Provencher is expected to continue to lead in center field. Provencher looks to have another dominant season at the plate,” said Coach Solitro. Softball fans are in for an exciting season once again.
EPHS Baseball Preview
The 2025 Townie baseball team will be back competing in tough Division 1 after two years of Division 2 play. The program has once again made their way back to Division 1, presently ranking #10 overall in the state of Rhode Island. Recently Head Coach Bobby Rodericks discussed his team’s outlook for the 2025 season. “Only losing one varsity starter from last season (Kyler Lorenz, Dean College) the lineup remains strong defensively especially with all the returning pitching,” said Coach Bobby Rodericks. “Seniors Dylan Annicelli and Tim Robitaille (2024 second team All State) along with Tyler Dicecco and Junior Kyle Desrosiers will be back on the mound for the Townies this spring. They all did well for varsity last season making it difficult to come up with a definite pitching rotation for this season. Tyler and Kyle will also be utilized as corner infielders along with Collin Roche. Senior Oliver Andrews will take his position back at second base. Junior Gavin Palombo, who is in my opinion one of the top defensive players in the state, will be sliding over from 3rd to SS as he fills the void with former 2023 Gold Glove Kyler graduating this past spring. A key for the team is the return of senior catcher Brian Rutkowski. He has caught since his sophomore year and may be the 2025 Class Salutatorian. A team leader on and off the field. The outfield has improved immensely since 2022 but still is up in the air for a set lineup. Judging from the fall season and off-season workouts, Sophomores Aidan Martins (All Division, All Star selection) and Max Correiro will be out there for sure. A lot of potential talent with the incoming freshmen as well as some JV players who helped capture the “Justin Rocha Memorial Tourney” last year having to win 3 games in one day. Coach Karalekas had some dominant pitching for his JV squad with Owen Richards, Ben Hallene and swing player Kyle Desrosiers who got his first varsity start against Johnston in last season’s playoffs. This season in Division 1 we are all aware that the level of play is higher and we look forward to the challenge and look to win as many games as possible,” said Rodericks. The Townies will be challenged for sure but plenty of exciting baseball will take place this year.
Townies Bill Army to be Inducted to the RI Hockey Hall of Fame
The names of five local hockey greats who represent the RI Hockey Hall of Fame’s “Class of 2025” were unveiled on February 21, 2025 between periods of the Providence Bruins vs Utica Comets “Hall of Fame Game” at the Amica Mutual Center in Providence.
Vin Cimini, founding chairman of the Hall of Fame, noted that the five new inductees-elect are, “among the most accomplished hockey figures our state has produced. Each has distinguished himself as a player and then gave back to the game in an important leadership capacity that has brought great honor to themselves, their teams, their communities, and our state,” said Cimini.
Army, a 3-time High School All-Stater is a member of one of Rhode Island’s most famous hockey families. Born and raised in East Providence, he led his Townies high school team to both RI and New England hockey championships. At Boston College, this explosive skater and slick center iceman was named an NCAA All-American before turning pro with the AHL’s Rochester Americans and later becoming an outstanding prep school coach. NCAA All-American at Boston College in 1980. Played two seasons of professional hockey in the AHL & IHL. Inducted into the Boston College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985 (RIHOF release).
He is a member of one of Rhode Island’s most famous hockey Hall of Fame families, a grandson of the legendary RI Reds’ trainer, George Army, and son of former Providence College team captain and star, Tom Army. He is the younger brother of former Wesleyan star forward, Tom Army, Jr. and the older brother of former Friar captain, All-American, and NHL coach, Tim Army.
He centered on one of BC’s all-time scoring lines, including future NHL great Joe Mullen. Bill, himself, would score 64 goals and 164 points over his NCAA career and earn First-Team All-America honors in 1980. After his playing days, Bill began a lifelong career as an educator, first at the prestigious Fessenden School, not far from Chestnut Hill. There, Bill also coached the school’s hockey team throughout his six years on the faculty, during which time he became the school’s Athletic Director.
In 1988, Bill was lured to the Pomfret School in Pomfret, CT, where he coached a number of world-class players in the Griffins’ heralded hockey program alongside former Burrillville and Brown University great, Don Eccleston. After graduation, Bill signed on with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, where he tallied 4 goals and 7 assists during his time with the Amerks. He later skated with the Port Huron Flags of the International Hockey League (IHL), netting 11 goals and 18 assists during the 1980-81 season. Bill wrapped up his professional career the following year skating for the Flint Generals of the IHL, scoring 7 goals and 6 assists in 13 games.
Bill Army will be the 4th in his family to join the RI Hockey Hall of Fame, following his grandfather George, father Tom, and brother Tim. The East Providence High School All-Stater & Boston College All-American and former AHLer was previously inducted into both the Townies' and Eagles' Halls of Fame.
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