By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

Exiting a job is often accompanied by a series of emotions. Tugging at one’s heart are the memories that have accrued over time, lasting images made possible thanks to someone instilling enough faith to hire you in the first place.
Never is it an easy choice. Should I remain amongst familiar settings, where there’s a comfort level? Or should I delve into something alien, knowing that there’s some risk – and potential reward – involved? These are questions that Steve DeMeo has been wrestling with the past few weeks.
Ultimately, DeMeo came to the conclusion that, strictly from a coaching standpoint, the time was appropriate to take his whistle elsewhere. DeMeo is relinquishing the head boys’ basketball coaching duties at North Smithfield to accept a similar post at Coventry. The hiring becomes official pending the outcome of next Tuesday’s Coventry School Committee meeting.
The move will have zero impact on DeMeo’s responsibilities as the head girls’ soccer coach at North Smithfield, where he also teaches.
DeMeo leaves after six prosperous seasons piloting the Northmen, a stretch that saw the program rise from the abyss to playoff fixture. Want proof? In the six seasons prior to DeMeo’s arrival, North Smithfield won 28 and lost 86 times. He wasted no time becoming an overnight sensation, compiling an 11-9 league mark in his inaugural season (2003-04).
Turns out DeMeo was only beginning to scratch the surface in his quest to transform an area of the state widely regarded as a hockey community into something of a hoops haven. North Smithfield cracked double digits in league victories every season, the high mark accomplished two seasons ago (16-4). This past season saw the Northmen achieve the school’s first-ever semifinal playoff berth.
After making significant progress, DeMeo felt he was prepared to undertake a new challenge. He alerted the proper channels at North Smithfield, from administrators to athletic director Matthew Tek, that a head coaching opening caught his fancy. It was DeMeo’s intention to clarify that the news wasn’t coming from an outside source, rather from the individual himself.
“I wanted to make sure that I was up front and not betray anyone. Everyone was on board with it,” said DeMeo. “I wasn’t going to leave North Smithfield unless I felt the program was heading in the right direction.”
After receiving permission, DeMeo threw his name into the ring. He reportedly was one of eight applying for the Knotty Oakers job, the experience of the candidates ranging from junior varsity coaching to someone who played collegiately.
DeMeo admits he sees untapped potential regarding Coventry, which has finished above .500 just twice in the last 10 seasons. Local basketball fans may recall it was Coventry which belted Shea last March in the Division II quarterfinals, 73-51, at CCRI-Warwick.
“It’s a new opportunity and the timing felt right,” said DeMeo. “This new challenge allows me to expand my coaching opportunities.”
DeMeo has certainly come a long way from his days as student manager at Providence College (three seasons under Pete Gillen, one under Tim Welsh). He arrived at North Smithfield at the ripe age of 23, the ink on his college degree barely dry. He departs on the threshold of turning 30 and as a veteran amongst the Rhode Island basketball coaching fraternity (DeMeo is on the executive board of the Coaches’ Association).
It’s expected a successor to DeMeo will be named shortly after classes commence at North Smithfield in the fall.
Tough break for Rainville
Seems Pawtucket’s Jay Rainville is once again battling shoulder woes. The right-hander finds himself on the disabled list with the New Britain Rock Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, the culprit a right shoulder strain.
Now in his fifth season in pro ball, Rainville was, until last month, part of the Rock Cats’ starting rotation. The right-hander totaled 37 starts for the franchise, spanning last season and this current one. He was moved to the bullpen after his start on June 16 (six runs on 11 hits in four innings).
Rainville made four relief appearances before landing on the DL, allowing runs in three of them. His shoulder troubles date back to 2006, when he missed the entire season with a right shoulder nerve injury.
Finding his way
Lincoln native Dan Rhault snapped out of a 0-for-11 drought in a big way Wednesday night, going 2-for-3 with a double for Single-A Princeton. Drafted by Tampa Bay in the 26th round (No. 799 overall) of last month’s draft, Rhault has appeared in 11 minor-league games, batting .139 (five hits in 36 appearances).