Mariners Advance to D-II Semifinals

EAST PROVIDENCE – Thanks to a rugged, 19-point effort from Mercedes Harris in the paint, the Narragansett High School girls’ basketball team will play on in the Division II playoffs.

The Mariners used a late second half run to pull away from Scituate, 69-48, in the Division II quarterfinals at the Bay View Academy. Harris also had six blocks and five steals, leading Narragansett in those categories as well.

Also contributing for Narragansett: Chelsea Sahagian (12 points, 3 steals), Jackie Iannucci (12 points, 3 steals), Abby McKanna (14 points, 4 steals), Leia Mistowski (4 points, 4 steals, 1 block), Ali Castrovillari (2 points) and Peach Griffith (6 points, 2 steals). Hannah Collier also played for the Mariners.

Sadie Ross led Scituate with 17 points and one steal. Chloe Corsi, playing with foul trouble much of the game, scored 13 and chipped in two steals and a block.

Narragansett will play Moses Brown, the top seed from the North Division, 8 p.m.  Tuesday at Rhode Island College.

Johnston 46, Rogers 43

The only competitive game Saturday came in the nightcap, as No. 4N Johnston upset No. 1S Rogers 46-43, fouling out both of the Vikings’ point guards en route to the victory.

After a brutal first half, Rogers led 22-12. Johnston’s Karina Matera was the only Panther seemingly ready to play, as she had 10 of Johnston’s 12 points.

However, Johnston slowly chipped at the lead in the first eight minutes of the second half. Rogers led 26-16 with 13:19 left, but Johnston scored nine points in four minutes to pull within one.

Matera then tied the game with 8:35, sinking a long 3-point shot. Isabella DiRaimo put the Panthers up two with a putback in the paint.

Johnston pushed the lead up to as much as six, but Rogers fought back in the final four minutes. Johnston had no real answer for center Brianne Morgera in the paint, who shook off some first half misses to finish with 20 points.

Morgera hit a bucket with about 3:40 remaining to get Rogers within two, but Johnston’s Francesca Gaudiana got fouled by her on the other end, and sank one of two from the line.

With 2:10 left, Rogers’ Sienna Benson drove down the lane and banked a shot to give the Vikings a 1-point lead. Isabella DiRaimo answered with a baseline jumper for two though.

Rogers’ Sarah Morris got fouled on the next possession, and sank both free throws with 1:46 remaining, giving the Vikings another 1-point lead. Alexandra DiRaimo drove baseline though and got to the line, sinking a shot to tie the game with 1:29.

The Vikings got two close looks at the hoop, but putbacks by Morgera and Morris missed, and Ny’Jah Rivon fouled Alexandra DiRaimo trying for the offensive rebound.

DiRaimo hit the first shot, putting the Panthers up by one, and on the rebound for the second shot Brianna Ruggiero forced a jump ball to get Johnston the ball again. Matera got fouled on the ensuing possession and hit a free throw.

In the final 32 seconds, Johnston couldn’t completely ice the game, missing several free throws to go up by 4. However, Rogers couldn’t knot the game. Elizabeth Jackson shot a 3 that rimmed out with 10.2 seconds, and another desperation 3 by Rogers was an airball.

Matera led Johnston with 25 points. Also contributing for Johnston: Isabella DiRaimo (9 points, 2 steals), Lauren Barnes, Gaudiana (3 points), Ariana Caffeso (1 point, 1 block, 1 steal), Danielle Gawlik (3 points, 1 steal), Madison Mansolillo and Alexandra DiRaimo (4 points, 3 steals, 1 block).

Morgera led Rogers with 20 points, and also had 3 steals and 1 block. Also contributing for Rogers: Benson (6 points, 4 steals, foul out), Jasmine Valdes (2 points, 2 steals), Nifaty Morales (1 point, 4 steals, foul out), Sarah Morris (2 points), Rivon (10 points) and Jackson (2 points, 1 steal).

Johnston plays No. 2N Classical 6 p.m. Tuesday at Rhode Island College.

Johnston and Rogers photos posted courtesy of Jennifer Carter of Carter Photography. You can purchase her photos at EventProofs.

Classical 50, Prout 33

Hot 3-point shooting from Mary Keough allowed the Purple to turn aside the Crusaders in the opener on Saturday afternoon.

Keough finished with four 3-point shots and 18 points to lead Classical. Prisca Yangambi also hit four 3-point shots, as Prout mostly played a zone against Classical and allowed them to shoot 3s.

Victoria Jedson led Prout with 11 points, 1 steal and 1 block. Also contributing for Prout: Maddy Hagerty (8 points, 2 blocks, 2 steals), Jackie Tousignant (2 points), Kate McCormack (1 block, 1 steal), Brittany Donovan (7 points, 1 steal), Maria Leone (3 points, 3 steals), Riley Martin and Olivia Hirst (1 steal).

Moses Brown 58, East Greenwich 39

The Avengers fought gamely against the top-seeded Quakers, but faded down the stretch, 58-39, as fouls mounted.

Facing a double-digit deficit in the final eight minutes of the second half, East Greenwich aggressively pressed the rest of the game. However, they picked up fouls in the process, and Moses Brown hit free throws to ice the game.

Kayla Imperatore led Moses Brown with 18 points, using a variety of spins and fakes in the post for open shots in the lane. She and Hannah Saris also combined to shoot 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the second half.

Freshman Jennifer Sarazen provided a spark for the Avengers off the bench in the first half, and started the second half as a result. The speedy point guard finished with four steals and eight points.

Also contributing for East Greenwich: Ashley Riveria (6 points, 2 steals, foul out), Margaret McCaffrey (9 points, 1 steal), Margaret Mathieu (1 steal), Julia Pelosi (2 points, 3 steals), Megan Anderson (6 points, 1 steal, foul out), Karen Lockhart (8 points, 1 steal), Rachel Basso and Joya Pelosi (1 block).

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