Winter Sports Update

Plenty of East Providence Sydney Olson supporters, including Mayor Bob DaSilva, were in attendance to see Olson's hockey hat trick in the team win

EPHS Principal Bill Black was on hand to see Sydney Olson's hockey hat trick in the win at Cranston's ice rink on January 27th

East Bay Co-op player #6 Sydney Olson on the ice for the winning team

Charlie Phillips of EP picking up another win this year in his match with North Providence. Tania Philips photo

Deacon McShane of EP getting the best of his opponent with a pin in wrestling victory

Machar Francis going for the winning pin against La Salle. Tania Phillips photo

Martin and Riverside wrestlers

Martin vs Riverside action in Mayor's Cup wrestling match

More Martin vs Riverside action in Mayor's Cup wrestling match

Mayor's cup awarded to Martin Middle School wrestling

EPHS 2023 State D2 Champions at banquet last month

Martin Middle School girls finished season with a win over Bay View. Donna Capelo photo

EPHS swim coach Coach Bob Hassan, left.

Posted Tuesday, February 6, 2024 9:59 am

By Bob Rodericks

East Bay Co-op Girls Hockey – Hat Trick for Olson
The East Bay Girls Hockey team only has one East Providence player on the entire team, but Sydney Olson has been a key player on the team combining East Providence and Providence Country Day schools. The team struggles a bit with a 3-6 record, but you wouldn’t guess that if watch them play. The girls are skillful on skates and work hard. Townie hockey has seen a slow decline since the closure of the Dudley Richards ice rink in Rumford. From one-time New England champions with some of the country’s best hockey players in the Army’s and Wilsons, to co-op play these days.

But on a January 27^th game against the Cranston/EG/Scituate Girls Hockey Co-op, EP’s Sydney Olson scored a hat trick (three goals) and added three assists, to help the East Bay Co-op Girls Hockey team earn the 7-6 win. “We want to give a huge shout out to the many that came out to watch Sydney play! She definitely felt the Townie Pride tonight!” said Sydney’s parents Jay Olson and Jessica Beauchaine after the game. “There is nothing like a hug from your Mayor, School Principal and a former Superintendent of schools, after a 3 goal and 3 assist game! Even Nancy Olson and Grandpa made the trip in from Maine for the game,” said her Dad referring to the large contingent of Townie supporters at the game. All the while a beaming Sydney Olson soaked it all in with a wide smile.

Girls hockey games in February:

2/02/24 6:00 PM La Salle Academy @ Portsmouth Abbey School
2/09/24 6:00 PM Mt. St. Charles/Cumberland/Lincoln/St. Rays Co-op @ Adelard Arena
2/15/24 5:00 PM Smithfield/Coventry/MB Co-op @ Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink
2/16/24 7:00 PM Toll Gate/Pilgrim Co-op @ Portsmouth Abbey School
2/23/24 7:00 PM South County Co-op @ Portsmouth Abbey School

EPHS Wrestling
The 3-1 Townies wrestling team has been very competitive this year, featuring many exciting matches. A highlight was the 40-32 win over La Salle last month came down to an exciting last second pin by the Townies Machar Francis as East Providence took the win before a large crowd at home. Francis and his La Salle opponent wrestled hard to the end when Francis got the pin to win the match for the Townies. The team had key pins from Deacon McShane, Aydin Schifino, and Charlie Phillips.

The varsity match followed the middle school Mayor’s Cup wrestling challenge between Martin and Riverside middle schools on Wednesday, January 17^th at East Providence High School. While Martin took the team victory, Townie fans supported both teams as future Townies were showcased. “When Martin and Riverside play, the real winner is EPHS,” was a popular refrain of the night.

The Townies varsity lost a close match in a duel meet at home against North Providence. The always tough Cougars see-sawed all night with the Townies. Each team picking up a decisive win to take the team lead. A North Providence win at 215 pounds was the match that proved to win it for the Cougars. The Townies Joe Vito was in a basic tie when he got caught in a match ending pin to give the Cougars the team lead. East Providence could take the team match with a pin by its heavyweight Machar Francis and for a time it looked promising. Francis led his opponent in points but needed the pin for enough points to overtake NP. In the end, Francis won the match on points but the team win just alluded EP as Francis couldn’t register a pin.

In duo matches the Townies are 3-1 to date with wins over Barrington, Smithfield and La Salle. The one loss was that tough 34-36 match against North Providence. The team finished in 5th place at the Connecticut challenge invitational wrestling tournament. Placing in the tournament and leading the way for the Townies was Charles Phillips with a 3rd place finish. Going to the finals and taking second place was Machar Francis, Simon Palumbo and Brennon Bernard. Winning the gold medal for a first-place finish was Baha Akidmer.

Earlier in January, the wrestling team finished 6th at the John Gorman Invitational held at Cumberland High School. Placing in the tournament and leading the way for the Townies was Brendon Barnard placing 6th, Machar Francis, Jessie Clark and X’avian Hopper placing 5th, Deacon Mcshane taking 4th place and Simon Palumbo placing 3rd. Making it to the finals and taking second place was Baha Akidmer. Taking home the gold medal with a first-place finish was Aydin Schifino, who was also named the outstanding wrestler of the tournament.

The Townies continue on with February matches heading into the state tournament:

2/02/24 5:30 PM Hope High @ EPHS
2/02/24 6:30 PM Cranston West @ EPHS
2/07/24 6:30 PM @ Coventry High School
2/10/24 9:00 AM Freshman/JV Tournament @ Coventry High School
2/13/24 5:30 PM Tri Meet vs. North Kingstown & Cumberland High School
2/15/24 7:00 PM Mt. Hope High School & Ponaganset High School
2/17/24 9:00 AM Div 2/Div 3 Wrestling Sectional Tournament @ Coventry High School
2/23/24 3:00 PM State Tournament @ Providence Career & Technical Academy
2/24/24 9:00 AM State Tournament @ Providence Career & Technical Academy

EPHS Boys Basketball
The up and down boys basketball team sits at 8-7 to date with impressive wins over Johnston, East Greenwich, Mt. Pleasant, Smithfield, Portsmouth, Woonsocket, Central and Narragansett. Two of the Townie losses were well played games. East Providence came away with a 75-70 loss at Hendricken in a game which could have gone either way. Foul shooting was the difference. EP also suffered single digit losses to La Salle, Cumberland and Westerly. The close loss to Hendricken came after the Townies had won 5 straight games. In an early January win over Central High, the team defeated Central 82-64 to pick up a key D1 win. Seniors Levi Jacobs and Kenaz Ochogwu combined for 33 points.

Townies February games are:

2/01/24 7:00 PM @North Kingstown High School
2/03/24 1:00 PM @Cranston East
2/07/24 7:00 PM @ Narragansett
2/09/24 6:30 PM East Greenwich @ EPHS
2/13/24 7:00 PM @ La Salle Academy
2/15/24 6:45 PM @ West Warwick High School

EPHS Girls Basketball
With new head coach Tammy Drape, the Townies are slowly rebuilding for the near future. The team is only 3-12 but showing potential of getting back to good basketball. In an impressive come from behind win, the lady Townies beat Rogers High 47-44 at Rogers in Newport. The Townies fought back from a double-digit deficit to take the win. This was their second league win. Harmonie McDowell had a game high of 15 points. Freshman Audrey Bernard added 8 points and 5 rebounds and sophomore Trinity Provencher added 8. Earlier last month, the team beat Saint Raphael 32-28.

The team’s February schedule:

2/02/24 6:30 PM @ St. Raphael Academy
2/05/24 6:00 PM @ Scituate
2/06/24 6:30 PM North Kingstown @ EPHS
2/12/24 6:30 PM @ Juanita Sanchez Complex
2/14/24 6:30 PM Cranston West @ EPHS

EPHS Girls & Boys Indoor Track & Field
The Townie girls team is moving along with a winning record to date. Among the teams big wins are scores like 90-6 over Mt. Pleasant, 94-10 over North Providence, 94-5 over Burrillville and 72-36 over Bay View. The girls team competed in their last dual meet of the season facing Lincoln and Chariho. The team finished with a 9-2 record. Outstanding performers were Nazarae Phillip, Kandace Daniel, Kendra Daniel, Keira Mullen, Samantha Clarke, and Kathryn Patalano. The team faced North Smithfield, Mount Pleasant, and Hope High School in their third dual meet of the season. They ended the meet with 17 personal records, a handful of season best marks, and the following top 7 finishes: Keira Mullen and Trinity Johnson-Carter in the hurdles, Adriana Perry in the 600m race, Kandace and Kendra Daniel in the 55m dash and the 300m, Kathryn Patalano in the 1000m, Wendy Cabral in the shot put, and trinity in the long jump. The 4x2 team consisting of the daniel sisters, keira mullen and Samantha Clarke finished first, as well as Kandace Daniel winning the 300m in 45.54 seconds.

The boys indoor track team improved their seasonal record to five wins and three loses by defeating Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Hope and losing to Classical. Individual winners for the Townies during the meet were Jayden Caverio in the 3000 meter, and Cam Evora in the high jump.

Others exceling for the Townies in various events were Kandace Daniel, Kendra Daniel, Keira Mullen, Wendy Cabral, Kathryn Palatano, Trinity Johnson-Carter, Malia Mullen, Samantha Clarke, Nazarae Phillip, Alicia Pinto, Marcinely Aredes and others. Coach Mike Almeida anticipates a good showing in the state championship meets.

The boys team defeated Central and Moses Brown to close out their regular season at 7-3. The team competes in the metropolitan division which traditionally is the toughest in the state. Individual winners for the team were Jack Pawlick in the 55, Nolan Travassos in the 55 hurdles, Jaidin Ivy in the 300, Jayden Caverio in the 3000, and Will Anthony in the 1000. The 4 x 200 relay team of Jietan Ruiz, Jack Pawlick, Julius Cortex and Jaidin Ivy won their race. Tthe 400 relay team consisting of Immanuel Prevete, Gerry Gagnon, Brian Rutkowski and Jaidin Ivy also won. The team had big wins over Hope, Juanita Sanchez, Mt. Hope, Mt. Pleasant and Moses Brown heading into state championships. Impressive performances across the board include those by Cameron Evora, Dylan Slavick, Michael Precious, Jaidin Ivy, Jietan Ruiz, Logan Xavier, Gerald Gagnon, Jietan Ruiz, Brian Rutkowski, Immanuel Prevete, Jayden Caverio, Giuseppe Belanger, Travis Carlucci, Will Anthony.

Remaining schedule:

2/03/24 9:00 AM Class Championship @ Providence Career & Technical Academy
2/05/24 6:00 PM Freshman Championship @ Providence Career & Technical Academy
2/10/24 12:00 PM Coaches Invitational @ Providence Career & Technical Academy
2/14/24 6:00 PM Junior Varsity Championship @ Providence Career & Technical Academy
2/17/24 1:30 PM Championship Multiple Schools @ Providence Career & Technical Academy

EPHS Swim Team
The Townie Swim Team had an exceptional Senior Night meet against Tolman and Shea. The boys won their meet, with an amazing performance from Ryan Branch, who qualified for States in the 50 free and 500 free, as well as great times from Nick Capobianco, Kevin Betincourt, Gavin Enos, and Kaden Vaughn. The girls team had an equally impressive win, with a special shout-out to Ines Benadouda who was able to qualify for States in the 100 fly, as well as first place wins from Sadie Gagnon, Maggie Robinson, Cassie Delude, and Madison Lu.

Townie Swim Coach in Hall of Fame
East Providence High Swim Coach, Bob Hassan, will be inducted in the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame in a May 4, 2024, ceremony at the Quonset O Club in North Kingstown, RI. Details on his nomination will be released soon by the HOF. As congratulations came in, Coach Hassan responded, “Thank you so much everyone for the congratulations on the announcement that I will be inducted in Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame. This is such an honor and I am so thrilled to be recognized for my accomplishments as a swimmer and a coach. I look forward to the Induction dinner and ceremony in May.”