Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Posted By Wayne G. Barber
Division II
No. 3-North Burrillville vs. No. 3-South Portsmouth
When: Saturday, Rhode Island College, 2 p.m.
Regular season records: Burrillville, 6-2 DII-North; Portsmouth, 7-2 DII-South.
How they got here: In the preliminary round, Burrillville beat No. 6-S Toll Gate 54-44 and Portsmouth beat No. 6-N Lincoln, 56-34. In the quarters, the Broncos took down No. 2-S Pilgrim in overtime, 63-60, while the Patriots downed No. 2-N Tolman, 66-56. In the semifinals, Burrillville beat No. 1-N Wheeler, 51-48, and Portsmouth topped No. 1-S East Greenwich, 64-54.
Previous matchup: The teams did not play this season.
Last division final: Burrillville lost to Chariho, 60-59, in the 2015-16 Division III title game; Portsmouth beat Barrington, 81-70, to win the 2019-20 D-II title.
Last division championship: Burrillville beat Smithfield, 51-49, to win the 1988-89 Division III title; Portsmouth beat Barrington, 81-70, to win the 2019-20 D-II title.
Head coaches: Burrillville – Kevin Randall; Porstmouth – Joe Occhi.
Probable starters: Burrillville – Jared Deschamps, G, Sr.; Jaden White, G, Jr.; Jack Bergin, F, Sr.; Colby Bouzan, F, Sr.; Dean Ayotte, C, Jr. Portsmouth - Ben Hurd, G, Jr.; Owen Gugliotta, G, Sr; Jack Bielawa, G, Sr.; Calvin Lucenti, F, So.; Tim Chlaupek, C, Sr.
Key reserves: Burrillville – Wes Cournoyer, G, Jr.; Jeff Cabral, F, Sr. Portsmouth - Sam Bielawa, G, Sr.; Luke Hyder, F, Sr.
What to look for: This is an oil and water matchup. Portsmouth wins by scoring and Burrillville wins on defense. The Patriots have size, the Broncos don’t. Burrillville wants the pace to be slow, Portsmouth wants to speed you up. Something has to give.
Prediction: The Broncos are the Cinderella story only because nobody expected them to beat Pilgrim and Wheeler. Portsmouth is the defending D-II champs and were expected to compete for a title this year, so here they are. Last year Ben Hurd was the difference and expect him to be a thorn in the Broncos side in this won as well, leading the Patriots to back-to-back titles.Source; Pro-Jo Sports and Pro-jo Photo
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Posted by Wayne G.Barber
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
In partnership with the WooSox and Professional Sports Catering, which will operate the concessions at Polar Park, a lineup of local restaurants to participate in “A Taste of Worcester” was announced on Thursday.
“This place is going to look, smell, feel and taste like Worcester,” said Rob Crain, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the WooSox. "We would be making a huge error if we didn’t include local Worcester food options. We have ourselves a heck of a lineup.”
The WooSox want Polar Park to have that next door neighbor feel to it.
So, local powerhouses Coney Island, Table Talk Pies and Polar Beverages will have permanent placement inside Polar Park, along with icons Lock 50, Russo’s, Wonder Bar Pizza and BT’s Smokehouse.
“It’s a great opportunity to be with other icons of the city – Polar and Coney Island – it’s really good to see for the city,” said president of Table Talk Pies, Harry Kokkinis. “We’re glad to be part of it.”
Posted by Wayne G. Barber Photo by Wayne G. Barber
Posted by Wayne G.Barber
