Billy Baron of Hendricken earns boys top honor; Torey Jones of LaSalle Academy's tops girls picks.
2008-2009 MaxPreps Rhode Island All-State Boys Basketball Squads
Player of the Year: Billy Baron, Bishop Hendricken
The 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Hawks (22-3) to their sixth straight Division 1 state championship, the second-longest boys basketball title streak ever in Rhode Island. Averaging a state-leading 23 points per game, Baron could finish at the hoop and zero in from long range in addition to being a strong rebounder. Baron lit up state runner-up Mt. Pleasant for 42 points during the regular season and 25 more in the championship game. He will attend Worcester Academy for a postgraduate season.
First Team (Super Five)
Billy Baron, 6-2, Sr., G, Bishop Hendricken
Billy Soriano, 5-9, So., G, Mt. Pleasant. As the state's premier point guard (18 points per game), Soriano always posed a problem for opponents, including defense with an average of four steals. Whether dishing off to teammates or hitting 3-pointers, he forged the way for the Kilties to the state finals.
Frank Robinson, 6-4, Sr., F, Mt. Pleasant. The high-flyer combined with Soriano to form the most potent one-two scoring punch in the state. The versatile forward finished drives and connected on mid-range jumpers and 3-point shots to make him a dangerous scorer (20 points per game).
Mike Juarez, 6-3, Sr., F, Cranston East. A big threat from 3-point territory, the Thunderbolts' relaible left-handed sharpshooter (18 points per game) and the school's all-time leading scorer played a major role in a 20-5 season, losing four games by just three points each.
Antjuan Jones, 5-10, Sr., G, Woonsocket. A 1,000-point plus scorer who dropped in over 17 points per game as a senior, the guard with an exceptionally quick release could score in a flurry and had a spectacular outing in a win over Woonsocket, scoring a game-high 34 points, including knocking down eight 3-pointers.
Second Team
Kevin Cabrera, 6-2, Sr., G, Cranston East; Nick Manning, 6-0, Jr., G; Ricky Fuller, 6-1, Sr., G, Cranston East; Jay Jeannotte, 6-2, Sr., G, Narragansett; Ashton Watkins, 6-5, Sr., C, Classical.
Third Team
Pucci Angell, 5-11, Sr., G, LaSalle;
Avery King, 5-11, Sr.;
Ricky Ledo, 6-4, So., F, Bishop Hendricken;
Michael Palumbo, 5-11, Jr., G, Classical;
Ethan Smith, 5-10, Sr., Guard, Cranston West.
Fourth Team
Lavon Waite, 5-11, Sr., Guard, Classical;
Anjuwon Spence, 6-0, Sr., G, Moses Brown;
Robert Alers, 6-0, Jr., G, Central Falls;
Matt Chiccarelli, 6-4, Sr., F, North Smithfield;
Malcolm Moniz, 5-10, Jr., G, Shea.
Honorable Mention
George Carle, 6-4, Sr., F, Central Falls;
Andrew Chrabascz, 6-4, Fr., C, Portsmouth;
Matt Chiccarelli, 6-4, Sr., F;
Jeff Darius, 6-4, Sr., F, Mt. Pleasant;
Trevor DiMicco, 6-2, Sr., G, Coventry;
Jared Hanson, 5-10, Jr., G, Scituate;
Ethan Hattoy, 5-9, Sr., G, LaSalle;
Jamale Horn, 6-5, Sr., F, North Kingstown;
Brendan Kenny, 5-11, Sr., G, Narragansett;
Nate Patterson, 6-3, Sr., F, Narragansett;
Jeff Schmeltz, 6-7, Sr., C, Burrillville;
Lee Vasquez, 5-8, Sr., G; Woonsocket;
Kelvin Walker, 6-0, Jr., G, Shea.
2008-2009 MaxPreps Rhode Island All-State Girls Basketball Squads
Player of the Year: Torey Jones, LaSalle Academy Jones can add another impressive honor to her growing list. The 5-7 senior guard and 2009 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year is also the MaxPreps Rhode Island Girls Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals and playing a pivotal role in three consecutive Division 1 state basketball championships. She has committed to NCAA Division II Caldwell College in New Jersey.
First Team
Torey Jones, 5-7, Sr., G, LaSalle Academy
Jameila Dillon, 6-0, Sr., F, LaSalle Academy. An imposing figure in the paint, Dillon was the state tournament MVP for the three-time state champion Rams with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game. She will play at Connecticut College next year.
Alexandra Jones, 6-3, Jr., C, South Kingstown. Jones consistently ruled inside by averaging 11.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in sparking the Rebels to the Division 1 South regular-season title, a 20-5 mark and the state semifinals.
Annie Lawler, 6-0, So., F, South Kingstown. This versatile forward with so many all-around skills has range extending from down low to 3-point range and averaged a team-high 15.2 points this season for the Rebels.
Ashley O'Dell, 5-7, Sr., G, Lincoln The multi-talented Lions' guard averaged 23 points, six steals, six rebounds and seven rebounds per game in steering the Lions to a third-place tie with St. Raphael in I-North. She will play for Southern Connecticut State University.
Second Team
Meg Morrissey, 5-7, Jr., G, South Kingstown;
Jill Woerner, 6-0, Sr., F, Bay View;
Katie Birrell, 5-7, Sr., G, Scituate;
Kelly Mannix, 5-11, So., F, Barrington;
Rachel Ferri, 5-4, Sr., G, Cranston West.
Third Team
Brooke Coderre, 5-7, Jr., G, Woonsocket;
Alexia Vega, 5-10, Sr., F, La Salle;
Brianne Boyer, 5-9, Sr., G, La Salle;
Taylor Bastien, 5-5, Sr., F, North Kingstown;
Ariana DeSimone, 5-7, Jr., G, Cranston West.
Honorable Mention
Katherine Corsi, 6-0, Jr., C, Scituate;
Mikaela Garvin, 5-7, So., G, Hope;
Christina Hopper, 5-9, Sr., F, St. Raphael;
Catherine Matthews, 5-11, So., F, Barrington;
Tricia Fontaine, 5-2, So., G, Portsmouth;
Stephanie Prusko, 5-8, Jr., G, Lincoln;
Lauren Masse, 5-7, Jr., G, Woonsocket;
Sarah Ethier, 5-9, Sr., F, Portsmouth;
Julia Maguire, 5-8, Jr., G, Cranston East;
Jessica Randall, 5-9, Sr., F, Bay View;
Brittany Wilkinson, 6-0, Jr., C, Bay View.
