HS Sports: More Ws For Cougars, B-Ball Teams Eye Playoffs

After to East Providence on Feb. 4, the Johnston-North Providence co-op varsity hockey squad went on a two-game win streak, defeating Cranston High School East, 4-1, on Feb. 10 and following it up the next night with a 5-2 win over West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich.

Freshman Jonathan Alsfeld and senior Mackenzie Olink traded goals and assists in the victory over the Wizards, and seniors John Varone and Robert Tonucci teamed up for a score. Goalie Matt Domaingue turned aside 19 of 21 shots to secure the 13th win of the season for the Cougars.

The Cougars hold a commanding three-game lead over Tolman for first place in Division III with two regular-season games to go. Next up is Mt. Hope — the team — on Feb. 18 in West Warwick, with the season finale scheduled for Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. against Warwick Vets at Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink.

Lady Panthers Make Final Push:

Johnston's varsity girls basketball team continued their pursuit of a favorable playoff seeding — which could provide them with a first-round home game — with a strong 57-25 trouncing of Mount Pleasant on Feb. 10.

The Providence Journal reported that Karina Mattera led the Lady Panthers with 14 points, including two three-pointers, and Ashley Peterson contributed 12 more to the Lady Panthers' victory.

Johnston has now won seven of its last eight Division II North contests, and improved its record to 10-4 for the season with four games to go, including Wednesday night's match-up at Scituate High School.

Millenium Mark:

The boys varsity basketball team maintained its hold on the top spot in Division III North with back-to-back wins over East Greenwich on Feb. 6 and Mount St. Charles on Feb. 8.

Senior Ryan Anderson, who is for his JHS career, scored 11 in the 55-35 won over Mount last Wednesday.

He'll have another chance at a spot on the 1,000-point banner in the high school gymnasium tonight at 7 p.m. against Davies Technical High School.

The boys travel to Burrillville tomorrow night, then wrap the season at home on Feb. 21 against North Smithfield.

Grapplers Finish Strong:

The Johston Sun Rise reported in its Feb. 9 edition that the Johnston High School wrestling team won seven of 10 matches against Moses Brown on Feb. 2 on the way to a 47-12 victory.

The Panthers are slated to compete in the Division II championship this Friday ans Saturday, with the state tournament scheduled for Feb. 24 and 25.