Johnston just fends off East Providence in girls' hoops playoffs

Posted 2/21/16

By Nick Friend

EAST PROVIDENCE —  Visiting Johnston overcame a fast start by the East Providence High School girls’ basketball team in the opening round of the Division II championship tournament, eventually holding off the host …

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Johnston just fends off East Providence in girls' hoops playoffs

Posted

By Nick Friend

EAST PROVIDENCE —  Visiting Johnston overcame a fast start by the East Providence High School girls’ basketball team in the opening round of the Division II championship tournament, eventually holding off the host Townies by a 49-45 count Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21, at Ramos Gym.

The Panthers, seeded fifth from II-North, improved to 9-10 in league games and advance to the quarterfinals against the top seed from II-North Moses Brown. The Townies, seeded fourth from II-South, saw their winter come to a close with an 11-8 record in D-II contests.

“It was inconsistencies all around,” EPHS head coach Mike Solitro said. “We had a few turnovers in key situations too.”

To begin the game, E.P. took the quick lead as Angela Leonardo scored a fast four putting her team up 6-2. Then, the Panthers fought back as a made free throw gave them their first lead of the game three minutes in, 7-6.

After their fast start, the Townies would go onto score one point in six minutes of play as Johnston continued to grow their lead. This lead to the Townies being in a 15-9 hole with seven minutes left in the first half.

A 3 pointer by Courtney Dorr and Leonardo driving to the basketball for an easy layup cut the Panthers lead to 17-16 with less than five minutes to play in the half.

Points were then hard to come by for both teams until the final minute when Dorr hit a corner three to give the Townies a 21-20 lead. The Panthers’ Jordan Moretti then scored on a shot from here knees as time expired to put Johnston up 22-21 at the half.

To start the second half, Johnston went on a 7-0 run as Moretti scored two of her 25 points on two made free throws.

The Townies then pulled within one thanks to three points from Dorr including a layup in transition.

E.P. continued to find their best rhythm on offense as Shaniah Hazard knocked down a free throw to give here team a 33-32 lead with over nine minutes to play.

Both teams then traded blows highlighted by a made shot and free throw from Hazard which cut the Panthers lead to 41-39 with over five minutes remaining.

The Townies proceeded to struggle for the next two minutes offensively as Johnston did not, giving the Panthers a 46-41 lead with less than three minutes to play.

“We took a couple of forced shots and didn't make the ones we needed to hit to be successful,” Coach Solitro said.

The Townies scoreless streak continued until Dorr scored to pull her team within striking distance with less than a minute to play by the score of 47-43.

E.P. proceeded to play the foul game as they continued to fail to make shots offensively as Johnston would go onto win 49-45.

Leonardo, the Townies' senior standout playing in what was her final high school games, and Hazard both finished with a game-high 13 points for the locals.

“She (Leonardo) does so much that people don't even realize,” Coach Solitro said. “She plays both ends of the floor and controls the tempo.”

Besides being bounced from the D-II playoffs, the loss also means the Townies will not qualify for the Open State tournament. The Townies sat in 18th place with only the top 16 teams from each of Rhode Island's three divisions advancing.

“That is everyone's goal to go out there and play in the open tournament,” Coach Solitro said. “But this is still probably one of the most improved teams I have had in a very long time.”

— Photos by Tim Marshall

East Providence High School, girls basketball, playoffs

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