By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
In a confrontation between two of the state's top teams, Antjuan Jones of Woonsocket scored 21 of his game-high 34 points in the second half and knocked down eight 3-pointers overall to lead the Villa Novans past Mt. Pleasant, 85-77.
Behind the shooting of Frank Robinson (22 points) and the ball handling and passing of point guard Billy Soriano (18), the Kilties spurted ahead, 39-31, at halftime.
With a layup, 3-pointer and drive to the hoop, Robinson helped expand the Kilties’ lead to 50-38 early in the second half. Then Jones exploded for 15 points – all from beyond the arc – in the next five minutes to ignite a 19-7 run that knotted the score at 57.
The Division 1 North leaders scored just two baskets the rest of the way, but capitalized at the foul line by making 16 of 24 free throw attempts in the last five minutes. Also scoring in double figures for the Villa Novans were Nathan Geter (16) and Wilfredo Olmeda and Tron Griffith with 10 each.
Woonsocket plays at Bishop Hendricken this week in a showdown between squads with the best records in Division 1 state competition.
Isaiah Odulami added 10 for the Division 1 East leaders, who lost for just the second time this season.
Boys Basketball News & Notes
* Mike Juarez of Cranston East had a record-breaking performance in a 71-51 win over Central. The 6-2 Thunderbolt senior forward netted 20 points to establish a new school scoring record and now has 1,359 career points.
* Joe Lancia had 21 points and Xavier Davis had 13 and both players combined for seven 3-pointers to spark Smithfield to a 54-51 win over La Salle in a Division 1 West game. Rams' guard Pucci Angell had a team-high 20 points and four treys.
* Kelvin Walker had 32 points and Kevin Moniz contributed 26 points for Shea which pulled out an 84-81 win over Pilgrim. Walker and Moniz both hit 3-pointers in the closing seconds to force the extra session. Sean Furney with 24 points and Kevin Stackhouse with 20 led Pilgrim.
Girls Basketball News & Notes
* Leanna Fanning and Jenna Ayala combined for 56 points in Tolman's 68-64 overtime win over Pilgrim. Fanning had 36 points, including five 3-pointers while Ayala ruled inside with 21 points, 20 rebounds and five blocked shots.
* Mikaela Garvin was the only player in double figures with a game-high 16 points as Division 3 leader Hope extended its win streak to seven in a 40-16 win over Rocky Hill.
* Julie Moss hit a shot at the buzzer as undefeated Barrington narrowly escaped an upset in a 48-46 overtime win over Mt. Hope in a Division 2 game. For the Eagles, Kelly Mannix led all scorers with 15 points while teammate Catherine Matthews had 14, including a game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation. Mara Newland and Kayla Whiting each had 10 for Mt. Hope.
McDonald's Nominees Announced
Twenty seniors from Rhode Island – 12 boys and 8 girls – have been nominated to play in the 2009 McDonald's All-American boys and girls basketball games.
Boys nominees are Billy Baron and Matt Barboza, Bishop Hendricken; Antjuan Jones, Woonsocket; Michael Accaoui, Nyheem Sanders and Russel DeRemer, St. Andrew’s School; Pucci Angell, La Salle; Tyler Sienkiewicz, Providence Country Day and Tyler Radicioni, Chariho;
Three Rhode Island natives currently playing in Massachusetts also were nominated: Erik Murphy, St. Mark's; Ben Crenca, Worcester Academy, and Mike Marra, Northfield Mt. Hermon.
Girls nominees include Torey Jones and Jameilia Dillon, La Salle Academy; Jillian Woerner, Bay View Academy; Ashley O'Dell, Lincoln; Rachel Ferri, Cranston West; Kaitlyn Birrell, Scituate; Alison Pigoga, Exeter-West Greenwich’s and Christina Hopper, St. Raphael.
From the 2,500 nominees, a national selection committee will select 24 girls and 24 boys who will participate in the April 1 games to be held at the Bank United Center in Miami.
