March 28, 2024

Sports Update

Posted

COVID 19 Disrupting School Sports
The Rhode Island Interscholastic league is struggling with middle and high school athletic contests as the Covid 19 virus increases in intensity throughout the state.  State commissioner of education Angelica Infante-Green sent a letter to school districts before the Christmas break cautioning about a return to distance learning.  "RIDE is working hard with our colleagues across government to make sure that we are making the right decisions as a state to protect you and your community, including increasing our testing and vaccination capabilities,” wrote Infante-Green.

EPHS Girls Basketball Off & Running High
An early season success story has been the East Providence High girls basketball team.  In the midst of a rebuilding program in which the team has seen a couple of losing seasons, energetic head coach Bay Lambert has been rebuilding the girls program.  The team has raced out to a 4-1 record not counting winning the Providence Country Day Holiday Championship with impressive wins over a tough Kimball Union Academy of New Hampshire and the Wheeler School, 62-49, then bettered the Wheeler School by scores of 63-49 and 69-28 respectively.

The young Townies are featuring a talented group of freshmen players.  “My Freshmen are playing amazing and stepping up big to help the seniors,” said coach Lambert.  “Freshman Breena Hannon is averaging 15 points a game and Mya Lambert is averaging 16 points a game.  Another freshman, Ariana Ingram is close to averaging a triple double every game with her tenacious defense and aggressive play. Senior Makiah Denson is doing an amazing job on being a leader this year and getting everyone involved. We are a young team but they are growing everyday,” continued the coach.  This team is fast and explosive.  The team is known to be a close group off the floor as well and fans can see it on the court.  A source of pride for the coach is the opportunity to coach his freshman daughter, Mia.  “It’s a Townie generation to generation pride for us,” said Lambert.  Lambert was an athlete while at EPHS and now feels “that Townie Pride” with his daughter on the team.  “I feel like don’t just have one daughter on the team, I have 10 daughters.  I’m Proud of them all.”

Lambert credits balance and hard work with the team’s early season success.  “Our center is senior Jaliyah DaCruz who is averaging 6 points and 11 rebounds a game. She is a big enforcer in the paint and helps to direct the younger players,” adds Lambert.

In the team’s 63-36 win over Westerly, freshman Mya Lambert netted 22 points and Breanna Hannon added 12 to get East Providence off to a 2-0 start in Division II play.  Along with Lambert’s 22, Breena Hannon scored 12.  Makiah Denson and Estrella D'Ambra each chipped in 5 points with Estrella D'Ambra, Jaliyah Da Cruz, Arianna Ingram, Angelina Tavares, Kayla Hannon, Harmonie McDowell and Ahmya Ingram all getting on the score board.

The Lady Townies went on to impressive wins over Tiverton, 48-22; Woonsocket, 63-40 and over a tough West Warwick team, 58-53.  “On the road in a tough environment, the team went in (West Warwick) there and stuck together and got it done,” recaps Lambert.  Mya Lambert 17, Breena Hannon16 and Arianna Ingram 11, led the Townies scoring in the WW game.

The team’s only blemish came in a 77-45 loss to North Kingstown.  Breena Hannon 16 pts and Mya Lambert 15 pts were high scorers for the Townies in that loss.  Jillian Rogers had 25 and Jaelyn Holmes 20 for the Skippers of NK.

EPHS Girls Basketball Roster:
Angelina Tavares, D'Ambra Estrella, Arianna Ingram, Ahmya Ingram, Jaliyah Da Cruz, Makiah Denson, Samantha Clarke, Kayla Hannon, Breena Hannon,    Mya Lambert and Harmonie McDowell.  Head Coach: Tshombe Lambert.  Assistant Coach: Carissa Meekins.  Athletic Trainer: Amanda Moran.

EPHS Boys Basketball
Townies Win Harry Mutter, Jr. Holiday Classic
Covid 19 has been the biggest opponent so far for the EPHS boys basketball team.  The team has only been able to play three games due to COVID restrictions effecting other teams and a few EP players.  With a few of their games already cancelled, the Townies did get the 82-64 victory over Juanita Sanchez High of Providence for the first win last month.  The Townies looked good as five players hit double digits;  Max Collins 17, Cristian Torres 15, Trey Resendes 13, Will Winfield 11 and Xavier Hazard 10 points.  Juanita Sanchez had scoring from Tourean Williams17 and Marcos Miranda 15.

The East Providence Friends of Townie Athletics Annual Harry C. Mutter, Jr. Holliday Classic was played at the end of December.  However, COVID 19 restrictions caused at least two teams to drop out of the tournament.  Only three teams remained, East Providence, North Providence and Shea high schools.  The unconventional tournament was held before just parents of players and cheerleaders due to COVID restrictions.  “Several teams had to drop out and quarantines have played havoc with schedules, but at least our boys’ team will get in two games,” said Townie Athletic Director, Gregg Amore.

The Townies opened the Mutter Classic with a 63-48 win over a pesky North Providence team.  The Holiday Classic is named for the late standout EPHS athlete Harry Mutter.  Mutter was a member of the Townies 1961-62 state championship team.  He was also a 2nd team All-State Townie baseball player and for over 30 years was one of the greatest softball players in Rhode Island.  Mutter played on several state and New England championship teams.  Mutter is also a member of the EPHS Hall of Fame and has received several other honors.

The EP-NP game was close at first but the Townies relentless attack and tight defense along with great rebounding pushed the home team to the comfortable win.  Trey Rezendes had 13 points with William Winfield and Xavier Hazard tossing in 12 each.  Kenaz Ochgwu and Max Collins each had 9.  Kemerie Dublin scored 6 and Cristian Torres added a bucket.

East Providence won the tourney with a 58-42 win over always tough Shea High.  Max Collins and Trey Rezendes led the Townies scoring with 15 points each.  Rezendes hit on three 3-pointers.  Kemerie Dublin tossed in 11 for the Townies.   Xavier Hazard had 8 points and Cristian Torres added 4 points.  Elijah Evora had 16 points to lead Shea High.

EPHS Boys basketball roster:
Jayvon Walmsley, Jayden Caldwell, Jayveeon Gonsalves, Maxamus Collins, Trey Rezendes,

William Winfield, Kenaz Ochgwu, Denzy Suazo, Elijah Moniz, Maxwell Whiting  , Alex Mulamba, Cristian Torres, Xavier Hazard, Yusef Abdullah, Kemerie Dublin and Derrell Liggins, Maximus Collins.  Head Coach: Joe Andrade.  Assistant Coach: Patrick Marchand, Todd Costa, Mason Santos, William McEnery.  Athletic Trainer: Amanda Moran.

Rhode Island All-State and Division Selections
Division I RI Boys Soccer Coaches All-Division: EPHS Brett Schwab 1st Team; Ryan Decampos Jr., Nicholas Morrison 2nd team.

Division I RI Boys Football Coaches All-Division: EPHS Yusef Abdullah 1st Team Offense; 1st Team Defense Jacob Poore.

RI Girls Soccer Coaches' Association’s All-State team: EPHS Third Team All-State Olivia Williams.  All Division II Jordyn Brogan, Briana Lopes, Olivia Williams.  2nd Team Lily Budnick, Tessa Laroche, Hailee Manteiga.  Third Team Kaylee Davenport.

RI Girls Volleyball Coaches' Association’s All-Division team: EPHS Haley Lonergan

D3 Football College All-Region One Team.
Jaren Alves of Bridgewater State University was named to the D3 Football.com All Region Team.  Alves, who played for the Townies, recorded three interceptions, broke up 11 passes, recovered a fumble and notched 23 tackles (16 solo) in ten games. The East Providence, Rhode Island product ranked second in the conference in pass breakups and tied for fifth in interceptions. He is also tied for 18th among the NCAA Division III leaders in passes defended with 14.

RMS Boys Basketball:
The Riverside Middle School (RMS) boys’ basketball team toughed out a gritty 64-55 win over scrappy Thompson Middle School from Newport on Tuesday, December 21st.  As COVID 19 is heating up again, all fans, players, coaches and officials were mandated to wear masks. Fan attendance was also limited. “We can only admit 3 or 4 persons for each player,” said RMS principal Rob Perry. “We’re getting official notice of restrictions constantly,” Perry added.

RMS and Thompson played pretty even for the opening minutes with RMS moving out to a slight lead utilizing their height advantage. The Riverside team immediately and often got the ball to 6’5” seventh grader Jayden Fernandez who dropped in several layups leading to his game high 16 points. “In addition to Jayden’s points, we had a balanced offense with Gavin Palombo's 14 and Justin Jardine's 12,” said RMS coach Scott Breault. However, the game was back and forth throughout and both teams took leads at different points.

As RMS’ big men continued to pound the boards with many key rebounds, they also tired and while sitting for a few minutes, Thompson came back and took the lead. RMS never panicked and persevered with a relentless defense and timely offense. RMS took the lead for good with about three minutes to play and never looked back. “A good win for us as these kids don’t give up,” added Breault.

Rounding out the RMS scoring was Jacob Duarte with 8 points, Brady Platt with 6 points, Peter Perreira with 3 points, Jacob Stover and Jehuriel Fernandez with 2 points each and Brandon Soares with 1 point. The team heads into the winter break with a 1-1 record.

Riverside Boys Basketball Roster (last name first):
Morales Jamier, Platt Brady, Palombo Gavin, Renaud Jonathan, Enright Alex, Lassiter Nihzell, Fernandez Jayden, Fernandez Jehurie, Corbett Caden, Reddy Eamonn, Iacavone Jake, Duarte Jacob, Pereira Peter, Jardine Justin, Stover Jacob, Fernandez Jayden, Soares Brandon and Scott Breault, coach.

East Providence Softball Clinic
All East Providence girls interested in softball are invited to attend a free clinic featuring hitting and fielding skills.  Girls from 2nd through 8th grade are invited to participate.  The clinic will be held at Olympus Indoor Sports on 40 Mead Street, Seekonk, Mass.  The clinic will run on Sundays from January 9th until February 13th, 2022, from 3pm – 4:30pm.  For more information, email olympusindoorsports@outlook.com.  The clinic is free of charge.

Riverside LL Winter Raffle:
“Join us for an afternoon of fun with a chance to win some great prizes as we raise money for Riverside Little League. The fun kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, January 8th.  Stevie D's Riverside Tavern is once again our gracious host for this event and we thank them for their continued support,” said RLL officials.  Numerous raffles will take place all afternoon: Main Table (Prime Rib, Ribs, Lobsters, great prizes, and more), Meat Bucket, Surf & Turf, and 50/50

Pre-purchase your event ticket today and you will receive $25 worth of tickets for the low price of $15! Purchase today and you will receive 1 sheet of tickets to each of the following raffles: Main Table, Meat Bucket, & Surf and Turf.

Also, if you purchase your ticket now and you will receive 1 entry to an exclusive pre-sale raffle.

Full information about the raffle, tickets, and prizes can be found at: https://www.rllri.org/Default.aspx?tabid=951495. Purchase your ticket today. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@rllri.org

Recreation Department 2022 Winter Programs
The City Recreation Department will be accepting registration for its upcoming winter programs beginning January 4, 2022. Registration is required for all programs. Registration can be done online at eastprovidence.recdesk.com or by calling the Recreation Center at 401-433-6360. Fees apply where noted. Participants must obtain a one-year center membership:

$25 Ages 6-17

$50 Age 18+

$25 Age 55+

The Recreation Center offers a safe and friendly environment for our members to create, innovate and play. We offer a variety of programs for all ages. Our center is also home to a fitness facility and game room. Safety for our members and staff is our first priority, to that end we are following the Department of health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in an effort to make everyone’s experience safe and fun. Please note, that if state guidelines change, adjustments to the program will be made as needed. Recreation members and staff are required to wear face coverings while indoors at the Recreation Center and during all programs. Masks may be removed for outdoor programs where social distancing can be done.

Recreation Center hours:

Monday to Friday:

Adults: 8am – 9pm,

Ages 6-14: 3pm – 7pm,

Ages 15-17: 7pm -9pm

Weekend Hours:

Saturday: (18 & over only) 9am -1pm,

Sunday: Closed

Youth Basketball: Program begins January 24- March 21 (no class 2/21) Held @ Waddington Elementary School, 101 Legion Way. EPRD youth basketball teaches skill development and teamwork. Through fun drills, Coach Ken will work on the fundamentals like dribbling, passing, defense and shooting. This class is for all levels, from learning to play or those trying to enhance their skills.

Ages 6-12 Monday 6:30-8:30pm $40 per child

Program begins January 24- March 21 (no class 2/21) Held @ Waddington Elementary

School, 101 Legion Way. EPRD youth basketball teaches skill development and teamwork.

Through fun drills, Coach Ken will work on the fundamentals like dribbling, passing, defense and shooting. This class is for all levels, from learning to play or those trying to enhance their skills.

Teen Pick-up Basketball: Ages 12-17 Thursday 6:30-8:30pm. Program begins January 6 – March 24. (No program during school breaks) Held @ Riverside Middle School, 170 Forbes St. Join us for a night of recreational basketball. No referees, no standings, just honor calls and good sportsmanship. Different teams are formed each night.

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