By Nick Friend

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys' basketball team crossed the mid-point of its Division I regular season with a 7-3 record, leaving the Townies firmly in the hunt for the league title and a spot in Open State Tournament.

The Townies sat at 7-3 in division play as of mid-week with just seven league games remaining until the start of the league playoffs.

“I think we are starting to get to where we need to be. I am really trying to get them to focus on day by day and game by game not trying to get too far ahead because we have had success. A lot of people have really been interested in the team and they have been recognized in the school,” EPHS head coach Alex Butler said. “I have really been trying to relay to them about being humble and hungry. We are having success because of the work we are putting in at practice.”

One of the main reasons for E.P’s success is its explosive offense, which is averaging over 67 points per game and has scored over 80 points twice.

“We are getting better because we are getting harder to guard,” Coach Butler said. “Anyone can go off for twenty points at any given time so it is very hard for teams to key in on one person.”

The Townies top two leading scorers currently are seniors Jarron Santos and Zack Veiga.

“I think Jarron has been our leading scorer consistently since the beginning of the season, but I think his numbers have come back because everybody has their numbers going up,” Coach Butler said. “Zack has been a monster the last week and a half. I think the game is slowing down for him and he can be a matchup nightmare.”

E.P. has also seen consistent scoring performances from three other seniors in DeVante Rose, Marcus McCarthy and Adam Duarte, who have each made a difference in several games this season.

“I think the way our season has gone is if three guys have a good night we are going to win,” Coach Butler said. “I think that is really how this season will play out. Marcus can go out any night and get 15 and Adam can shoot the ball. DV (Rose) has played up and down, he just has to play with energy and focus.”

Defensively, the Townies have been a bit inconsistent as they have held teams like North and South Kingstown to under 50 points while giving up more than 70 on three different occasions.

“I think the best thing for us right now is defensively we are starting to get better. I think it is pretty obvious we can score the basketball and we have multiple guys who can score, but if you want to beat the top four team in the state you have to be able to defend,” Coach Butler said. “We have played to the level of our opponent a couple of times and that is scary. If you want to be a good team you have to be able impose your style against other teams.”

Coach Butler also mentioned the consistent struggles with rebounding due to their lack of width in the paint.

“Those top four teams have some size,” he said. “I think Adam leads us in that and he is not someone who is going to out jump someone, but he fights like heck. We need more guys to go and do that.”

“Our two best defensive players are Adam and Marcus,” Coach Butler continued. “Marcus is our shutdown guy and he doesn't get enough credit, it is hard work.”

For the Townies to improve, the coach said his side needs a more steady effort at both ends of the floor.

"Play consistently. If the defense is consistent I think we are going to win our fair share of games down the stretch,” Coach Butler explained. "The records don't matter to me, you need 32 minutes to go and win a game.

“I don’t doubt for a second that we can go and make a run into the playoffs. We have said that from the first day we got together and you have to have that mindset. I think our confidence is high, but it’s not cocky.”

E.P. reached mid-week tied for third in the Open State Tournament standings behind Bishop Hendricken (8-1) and Classical (7-2) based on power points at 7.42. Reigning D-I and Open champ LaSalle (7-1) has the same total as does St. Raphael (7-2).

The Townies are back in action tonight, January 28, in Providence against Central at 7 p.m.

— Photos by Tim Marshall