Bolts Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

With the game, and perhaps their season, hanging in the balance Thursday night, the Cranston High School East boys’ basketball team came through in the clutch.

The 59-54 victory kept the Thunderbolts’ playoff hopes alive, with two games remaining.

Cranston East played solid defense and controlled the tempo in the first half. The Thunderbolts led by as many as 13 points, on two occasions, but allowed the Rebels to close within eight points at the half, 30-22.

The second half was closely contested. South Kingstown had several chances to take the lead, but on the six instances that the score was tied, the Rebels pulled ahead only once. That short-lived lead came on a Dylan Ferdinand free throw with 9:55 to play.

The last time the score was knotted up was at 49-49, when Ferdinand sank a 3-pointer with 3:25 remaining. Cranston East scored 10 of the final 15 points, sealing the win from the foul line.

The Thunderbolts received a huge boost from senior Marquise Franklin, who played his first game of the season. Franklin, who had been academically ineligible to play, scored 10 points, including two huge free throws with 29 seconds left in the game.

“It was painful to not be able to play all season,” Franklin said. “But school comes first and I had to get it together. It’s great to be back out there with my teammates.”

Franklin gives Cranston East some much needed height and rebounding help on its front line. He also has the ability to handle the ball and slash to the basket on offense.

“It’s unusual to pick up a player in mid-season, especially a player with Marquis’ skills,” said Cranston East head coach Bill Coughlin. “Marquis attended every game to support the other players while he was out. He’s a great kid.”

The Thunderbolts had several chances in the first half to pull away, but the Skippers scored consistently on back door cuts to the basket.

“Because of weather-related cancellations, we haven’t practiced on back-to-back days since December,” stated Coughlin. “We have several defenses that we could use to counter the back door cuts, but we haven’t been able to practice them.”

In the second period, the Rebels were paced by Ferdinand and Rory McEntee, who combined for 22 of South Kingstown’s 32 second half points. Most of Ferdinand’s points came from beyond the arc.

“We tried to focus much of our attention on McEntee,” said Coughlin. “Meanwhile, Ferdinand lulls you to sleep and then hits a big shot. He’s a crafty player.”

Drawing the arduous task of guarding McEntee was senior Joe Boseman. Despite an obvious height and weight disadvantage, Boseman did an admirable job.

“Before the game, I felt great. Now I feel beat up and bruised,” said Boseman after the contest. “As long as we win, I don’t care who I have to guard. I love the challenge.”

Boseman is normally matched up with the opposing team’s best front court player. Most of his accomplishments on the court don’t show up in the box score, but they haven’t gone unnoticed by his coach.

“Joe’s are most valuable player,” Coughlin said. “He does all the dirty work. He’s the heart and soul of our team.”

Also playing well against the Rebels was Pat Marchand, who finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Cranston East (7-9 in league, 9-10 overall) wraps up their regular season schedule with games at Classical on Friday and at home against LaSalle on Tuesday.