March 29, 2024

Derek LaCroix, EPHS Class of 2002 & Angie Leonardo, EPHS Class of 2016 are 1000 Point Club Members

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Leonardo's Dad hits game winning state championship basket for 1976 EPHS team

Derek LaCroix scored his 1000th career point on the team's first basket of the night in a game against Rogers High School on February 18, 2002 at EPHS. LaCroix tossed in 18 points to help the Townies defeat Rogers High 67-61. "My team mates were great and I really enjoyed playing for coach Kevin Monagle," said LaCroix.

LaCroix also played volleyball at EP. "I was part of the team that won back to back State Championships from 2000-2002," LaCroix told The Reporter from his Warwick, RI home. "It was great playing for Coach ( Luis) Carvalho." Carvalho's boys and girls volleyball teams both won state championships in 2002. LaCroix was a key player in volleyball and was an All-State selection.

Angie Leonardo, EPHS 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 reaching the coveted 1000 point milestone. After the 1000 point victory game, Leonardo told The Reporter, "I think our defense is good and we're a pretty solid team going into the playoffs. The record is nice but our goal is the team championship."

Angie's father, George Leonardo, also played basketball for EPHS. His 1976 Townies won the State Championship against LaSalle Academy. It was Leonardo's basket with time running out, that clinched the win for EP. "It was a great game," recalled former EPHS Athletic Director Ed Cronin. "The game came down to the wire and was tied with almost no time left. LaSalle had the ball going for the win but it was George Leonardo who grabbed the ball for EP and made the game winning shot for coach Everett Aldriches' Townies," said Cronin. "One of the smallest guys on the floor (Leonardo), hit the winning shot, giving EP the State Championship.

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