Sports

HS Sports: Winter Teams Playoff Bound

Both basketball squads and the co-op JNP Cougars look primed for strong postseason challenges.

On Tuesday night, Evan Hopson scored 24 points — including the 1,000th of his career at Johnston High School — during Senior Night, but it wasn't enough to overcome the tough North Smithfield offense, and the Panthers fell, 65-60.

The Providence Journal reported that the Northmens' Matt Walkow poured in 30 points, spoiling Johnston's chances at taking sole possession of first place in Division III North heading into the postseason.

Instead, the Panthers ended the regular season tied with North Smithfield with identical 13-5 records.

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As of 8 a.m. on Feb. 22, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League had not yet posted the playoff schedule.

Lady Panthers Finish On The Road

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Following their 56-37 defeat of Tolman High School at Senior Night last Friday, the girls' varsity basketball team is scheduled to complete the regular season with two road games before heading into the playoffs.

Danielle Gawlik and Karina Mattera each chipped in 14 points on the way to the victory, the Providence Journal reported.

The Lady Panthers (11-5) are currently tied with Scituate for third place in Division II North, thanks to a 6-game win streak at the end of January and a 3-1 run in their last four games.

Johnston travels to Burrillville tonight for a scheduled 7 p.m. contest, then completes the regular season on Friday night at Central Falls.

Cougars' Game Rescheduled

We got word from Coleen Langevin-Fournier (who has also provided some great photography during the season) that the Johnston-North Providence Cougars hockey game scheduled for last Saturday night had to be rescheduled because the West Warwick Civic Center's Zamboni was inoperable.

"They couldn't clean the ice for our game," which had been planned for 9 p.m, Langevin-Fournier reported in an email message this morning.

Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth is the new site of the game between JNP and Mt. Hope, scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, she added.

The Cougars (13-1 in Division III) appear set for a serious defense of their 2011 state title, and finish their regular season with Senior Night against Warwick Veterans High School on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink.


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