Editorial: Hoops has its place in East Providence lore

Posted 3/31/19

When sports devotees think about East Providence, they usually consider the high school's proud history in football first rather than any other endeavor, and rightfully so. The Townies are among the …

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Editorial: Hoops has its place in East Providence lore

Posted

When sports devotees think about East Providence, they usually consider the high school's proud history in football first rather than any other endeavor, and rightfully so. The Townies are among the most decorated gridiron groups ever in the Interscholastic League, the program consistently ranking with the state's elite for nearly a century now.

But as this week's issue of The Post shows, East Providence also has a pretty good track record when it comes to basketball. Stories in the paper highlight the past, present and possibly future influence some in the city have had, do and may someday have on the hardwood.

In the late Dr. Kenneth Walker, East Providence boasted of one of the most prominent figures in hoops for some three decades. He was among the game's stalwarts as a referee at its highest levels locally and regionally, officiating many of the biggest high school and college games in Rhode Island, New England and the East Coast. While Mr. Walker's greatest achievements in life were away from the court, as contributor Manny Correira artfully described in a story on page 2, what he did in the game of basketball was also impressive.

The accomplishment of EPHS senior cager Dion Hazard is the focal point of this week's issue, and it is well deserved. Young Mr. Hazard became just the fourth known Townie to reach the 1,000 career point mark in boys' hoops. That he did it while manning the demanding point guard position and also being a member of what has been a successful team throughout his career makes it even more noteworthy. He's almost assuredly about to join a growing list of city players currently enjoying fine careers in college next season.

Lastly, there's a story and pictures recognizing the performance of the Riverside Middle School boys' basketball team this winter. The Vikings had a terrific run that unfortunately ended in the semifinals of the state playoffs on February 5. Their achievement likely bodes well for the EPHS program in the future.

It's been a while since the "glory days" of city hoops when high school teams won state championships in the 1960s and 70s, but basketball in East Providence has endured through the years. It's present isn't too bad either and the days ahead appear pretty bright as well.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.