ProJo Hoops Wrap: Rams clinch top seed in Division I-North with win over Kilties as postseason awaits – The Providence Journal

Eric Rueb|The Providence JournalGame of the Day

And just like that, the La Salle boys basketball team will head to the postseason as the favorite to win the state championship.

The undefeated Rams hosted one-loss Mount Pleasant in a battle for the No. 1 seed from Division I-North. As has been the case most of the season,Raphel AwaandDimetri Iafratecame through in a big way, leading La Salle to a 67-59 win and one win away from a perfect regular season.

Awa provided a steady stream of points in the first three quarters, getting eight in the opening eight minutes and finishing the fist half with 13 before going off for nine in the third in his 22-point night.

Iafrate was just steady from tip to buzzer, scoring at least four points in each of the four quarters as he finished with 18 points for the Rams.

Will Sampsonadded 11 in the win for La Salle, which will be the top seed from DI-North and play the winner of the play-in game in the first round. Before that happens, the Rams will finish the regular season when they host Woonsocket on Saturday.

Jansel Hayeshad a solid night for the Kilties, scoring 18 points.Keon Lawrencecame through with 12 and Omarian Vidalhad 10 in the loss. Mount Pleasant can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win in its final two games or if Cumberland loses to Woonsocket on Friday.

Division II

Tolman 62, Burrillville 46

A balanced first-half scoring attack teamed with a solid defensive effort was in key in the Tigers coming away with a 62-46 win over the Broncos.

In the opening half, Tolman sawJayel Rodriguesscore11 points andMaarten LopesandJalyn Baptistaboth score eight while taking a 32-18 lead into halftime.

Lopes carried the scoring over to the second half and finished with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Baptista also hit four treys but finished with 18 while Rodrigues added 13 total points in the win.

Jack Berginwas the lone Burrillville player in double figures, scoring 12.

The game wraps up the D-II regular season for both teams. The win puts Tolman in position to earn the No. 2 seed out of DII-North while Burrillville slides to No. 3 in the seeding.

East Greenwich 58, Coventry 48

Jack McMullendidn't score 54 this time, but his 16 points led three Avengers in double figures as EG locked up the No. 1 seed in Division II-South with a 58-48 win over the Oakers.

McMullen hit three 3-pointers in his 16-point performance.Dan Priorscored 14 andWill Fosterhad 10 for the Avengers, who led at half 28-21 an maintained it the remainder of the game.

Jeff RosaandTyler Byrnesled Coventry with 11 points each andNolan Morellihad 10 in the loss.

East Greenwich has two non-league tuneups against East Providence and North Kingstown on its schedule before the playoffs start. Coventry closes the D-II regular season next week with a must-win game against Chariho.

Wheeler 70, Lincoln 50

Travis Cobainwas steady as a rock all game and his 30 points helped the Warriors get past the Lions, 70-50.

Cobain scored 15 in the first half, helping Wheeler get off to a 36-20 lead at the break. He was helped out Thursday byWyatt Greenberg, who scored 13 points and 12 rebounds.Isaiah Smith-Johnsonscored 14 in the win for the Warriors.

Octavio Britoled Lincoln with 20 points. The Lions have three games left in the regular season, starting Saturday at 1 p.m. against Johnston. One win should secure a playoff spot but they'll need to win as many as possible to avoid a play-in game.

Wheeler remains undefeated in DII-North and also has three games left, starting Friday against Johnston. The Warriors need two wins to claim the to seed from the division.

Division III

Times2 59, Central Falls 45

Jason PetersandJosh Ojuriwere an unstoppable duo, combining for 50 points as the Bald Eagles took down the Warriors, 59-45.

Peters was his usual dominant self, scoring 30 points. He had 16 in the first half and hit five 3-pointers on the night. Ojuri was just as effective, scoring 20. All his shots came from inside the arc and he scored 14 in the first half to put Times2 up 36-26 at the break.

Chunn Andersonled Central Falls with 11 points. The Warriors have two games left - starting with Exeter-West Greenwich on Saturday - and may need to win both to secure a playoff spot.

Times2 remains undefeated and will be the top seed out of DIII-Central.

Non-league

Moses Brown 44, North Smithfield 30

Christian ChaseandDarius Ajakaiyeboth came through with 10 points and the Quakers' defense took care of the rest in a 44-30 win over the Northmen.

Andrew Perryscored eight in the win and Christian Bazzanohelped Moses Brown with six points.Gerald Corraoled North Smithfield with nine in the loss.

Division I

South Kingstown 72, East Greenwich 35

The Rebels saw 12 different players score as they took care of the Avengers, 72-35.

Taylor Martinhit four 3-pointers and led SK with 14 points.Jami Hillscored 11 in the win andJane Carradded 10.Alex Megaled East Greenwich with 15 points in the loss.

Johnston 43, Moses Brown 30

The Panthers trailed by three at halftime but put together their best defensive effort of the season in the second half on their way to a 43-30 win.

Johnston surrendered only seven points in the final 16 minutes while scoring 23.Tori Viauhit five 3-pointers and scored 16 points in the win.Sarah Bandomahad 10 for the Panthers andEmily Iannuccillichipped in with eight points.

Maura O'Malleyled Moses Brown with eight points.

Division II

West Warwick 49, Smithfield 29

The Wizards had it working on the defensive end, holding the Sentinels to under 20 in both halves on their way to a 49-29 win.

Tori Birdled West Warwick with 15 points andKellylyn Kozlinjoined her in double figures with 11.Kayla SaddlerandKalen Greenhalghboth had seven in the win.Sydney Mabrayled Smithfield with eight points.

Providence Country Day 44, Pilgrim 43

Janaya PrinceandJillian Archercarried the Knights' offense, combing for 30 points as they held off the Patriots, 44-43.

Prince scored 16 points and hit 5 of 8 from the line, including three second-half free throws. Archer hit two 3-pointers and made all four of her free throws in a 14-point night.Rose DiSandroandJennifer Sturgesboth added six for PCD.

Alysia Medeirosled Pilgrim with 11 points in the loss.

Division III

Mt. Hope 62, Mount Pleasant 46

A big performance out of Abigail Razzinohelped the Huskies get an impressive win over the defending D-III champ Kilties, 62-46.

Razzino led nine Mt. Hope scorers with 17 points.Elsa Whitecame through with 10 andLauren PaisandAmani Jacksonhelped the cause with eight.

Francheska Contrerasled Mount Pleasant with 15 points in the loss.

Lincoln 56, North Providence 21

The Lions defense pounced, holding the Cougars under 10 points in the first half as Lincoln rolled to a 56-21 win.

Lincoln led 29-8 at halftime and never looked back.Elliana Wuhit three 3-pointers and led the team with 15 points.Lauren Ciprianowas also in double figures with 10 andMakayla Horanscored eight.Michaela Rizzoled North Providence with eight points in the loss.

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ProJo Hoops Wrap: Rams clinch top seed in Division I-North with win over Kilties as postseason awaits - The Providence Journal