HS Sports: Lady Panthers Host Playoff Game; Cougars Finish 14-2

Near the end of the regular season, varsity girls' basketball Coach Chris Corsinetti said he and his squad were hoping to improve their record enough so that they could host at least their first playoff game.

With two wins in their last three games — including a 42-38 victory over Burrillville on Feb. 22 — the Lady Panthers got their wish, and are scheduled to play West Warwick tomorrow night at home.

Following the 6 p.m. contest, Mount St. Charles is set to face Rogers at 7 p.m. in Newport to set up the quarterfinal contest scheduled for Saturday at St. Mary Academy/Bay View in East Providence.

In their final regular season game, Johnston's Karina Mattera posted 14 points in a 36-28 loss at Central Falls, the Providence Journal reported.

The Lady Panthers finished the regular season with a 12-6 record, good for fourth place in Division II-North and the first-round home game.

Cougars Await Postseason:

After taking their second loss of the year to Mt. Hope on Feb. 23 in a rare daytime game, the Johnston-North Providence Cougars celebrated Senior Night on Friday with an 11-0 blanking of Warwick Vets, according to the Rhode Island High School Hockey website.

Mackenzie Olink tallied two goals and tewo assists, and Jonathan Alsfeld netted two goals and added a helper as JNP peppered the two Warwick goaltenders with 51 shots.

JNP finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, one game ahead of number-2 East Providence, and a 79-17 scoring advantage over their opponents. Senior goalie Matt Domaingue wrapped the regular season with a .99 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, allowing just 16 goals on 247 shots.

As of this morning, the Rhode Island Insterscholastic League had not yet posted the schedule for the state hockey championship. 

Boys B-Ball Booted:

The boys' varsity basketball team made it to the postseason, but couldn't hold up against the Shea High School offense and dropped an 84-50 decision on Feb. 24.

Evan Hopson, , led the Panthers with 10 and three others netted nine each in the first-round contest, the Providence Journal reported.

Johnston, seeded 25th in the state tournament, finished the regular season tied for first place with North Smithfield with a 13-5 mark against league opponents in Division III North. Division II Central leader North Providence chased the Northmen out of the state tourney with a 99-59 trouncing on Feb. 24.