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By TERRY NAU Sports editor The two best teams in Division II this winter may come from within the city limits of Woonsocket.
Mount St. Charles Academy and Woonsocket High have been anointed the two “teams to beat” by no less an authority than Barrington coach Stephen Lenz, whose Eagles are the two-time defending state champions.
“The teams to beat are Woonsocket and Mount St. Charles,” Lenz told the statewide newspaper earlier this week. “Both teams are deep, talented, defensively strong, well coached and most of all, have playoff experience to build upon from last year.”
Mount St. Charles beat Woonsocket in overtime during the state semifinals in March, then found itself in a 30-30 tie with Barrington in the final few minutes of the state title contest before losing, 37-30.
Mount coach Nina Morey didn’t leap with joy when Lenz’s words were relayed to her.
“We never come out and talk about winning the state title,” Morey said when asked if that is her team’s goal this season. “We’re taking one game at a time. But I’m sure we would love to win the state title.”
Barrington lost all five starters from last year’s team. While the Eagles will remain a stern test, Lenz seems on the mark with his early-season appraisal, especially after Mount and Woonsocket both won their first two games of the season in decisive fashion.
Mount lost two starters from last year’s team: leading scorer Kelly Ryan, a guard/forward, and center Pam Dunton. The three returning starters begin with 5-foot-10 junior forward Nikki Turcotte and floor leader Mary Oftring, a junior point guard. Senior guard Eliza Foresti is the team captain along with Emilly Frazzette.
The other two starters this season are 5-9 forwards Maria Saia and 5-8 Tessa Jacobs. Both are sophomores who saw a lot of playing time last winter.
“The girls play together all year round,” Morey admitted. “Woonsocket does, too. Our team participates in AAU ball, plays summer ball, and goes to camps together. That absolutely helps them when our season begins, giving the girls a cohesiveness from playing so much together.”
Mount opened the season with an Injury Fund victory over Ponaganset, a Division I team. Woonsocket had a similar victory over Division I contender Lincoln. Then the two local powers won their league openers on Tuesday night, Woonsocket winning at Rogers and Mount rolling to a road win over a tough Westerly squad. Woonsocket whipped West Warwick by 30 points on Thursday night. Mount’s home opener against Prout fell victim to Friday’s snowstorm.
And that’s the way the season will be viewed in this city over the next two months as fans and players alike keep track of each school’s progress from game to game.
“We split two games with Woonsocket during the regular season last year,” Morey recalled. “Our playoff game was incredible. I really think we bring out the best in each other. The girls on both teams got to know each other through those three games last year. We all like and respect each other. (Woonsocket coach) George (Coderre) and I get along well.”
Coderre often admitted last season that Mount’s size advantage gave his smaller team problems. The Mounties still have good height along their front line while Woonsocket hopes its sophomore center, Ashley DuBois, can help negate Mount’s rebounding advantage this season.
Morey prefers to focus on what her team needs to do to win a state title. The Mounties came agonizingly close in the state title game, going scoreless in the final two minutes while a more experienced Barrington team went about the business of winning the game.
“To get so close and not to be able to finish,” Morey said, reliving the painful memory in her mind. “We know we just have to work hard this season, see things through and finish each game. I really believe that losing in the state title game was a great experience for our team to have. Now we have the playoff experience we needed.”
Morey finished her thought by referring to the motivation that drives her team in practice each day, and why the Mounties play with such enthusiasm and desire.
“They just love to play basketball,” she said.
So does the Woonsocket team, which means city hoop fans will be doubly rewarded this season. They can mark these dates down on their calendar: Jan. 26, when Mount St. Charles visits Woonsocket, and Feb. 13 when the Novans head up the hill to visit the Mounties.
And a pivotal third game -- if it happens -- could be for the state title in March down at The Ryan Center. |
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