By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

EAST GREENWICH – Even Alex Butler, a coach known for stressing defense, had to turn away at some points. It was that brutal on the eyes.
Ponaganset and East Providence mucked it up to the highest degree Monday in the EP Community & Teachers Federal Credit Union Classic with the Townies able generate a bit more offense, 51-33. The Chieftains were held to 34 percent shooting while the Townies, which struggled at times in the half-court, managed to shoot 44.
The two-day tournament concludes tonight with EP meeting Portsmouth following La Salle-Ponaganset. The Patriots knocked off the Rams, 74-70.
“Our league games after going to be physical, but it was turned into a football game. That was rugby out there,” said Butler. “but we grinded it out, that’s what we did.
“There was a lot of clutching and grabbing, but to our kids’ credit, they played right through it,” Butler continued.
Rare was the occasion when offense came easy for either side. Ponaganset misfired on 13 consecutive occasions in the first half, yet only trailed by a dozen (28-16) at halftime because the Townies weren’t that much better.
EP led 9-7 before a 3-pointer from Raymond Lambert and two layups from senior Abe Daramola made it believe the home team was starting to find its way, 16-9 with 6:12 to play in the opening half. The led stretched to 23-14 before the Townies closed the half on a 7-zip surge. The Chieftains, whose high man was John Peterson with seven points, closed the half with four straight misses.
A fresh half couldn’t completely rejuvenate either side. George Leonardo converted the Townies’ second shot of the half, then EP followed with three empty trips in a row. The Chieftains’ ice-cold ways continued with Ponaganset opening up 1-for-9 with four turnovers.
One Townie that was able to fight through the offensive doldrums was senior John Villari. His jumper gave the Townies a 20-point cushion, 38-18, with under 12 minutes remaining. Villari scored nine of his game-high 12 points in the second half as Butler noted it was simply the case of the same quality looks finally going down.
“The same shots he had in the second half he had in the first,” said Butler. “He’s the type of kid that if he makes his first couple of shots, he can get on a run. He’s a streaky shooter, but he’s got to continue to shoot the ball because we don’t have that many shooters.”
Junior guard Donald Williams was clearly the most gifted player on the floor as contributed 11 points, three rebounds and two steals off the bench. Williams flashed his athleticism on several strong drives to the basket in the first half.
“Donald is probably our most athletic basketball player. He’s going to be a key player for us,” was the compliment Butler paid. “I have him come off the bench because he’s a spark that can come in and play three spots. It’s not who starts but who finishes, and he’s finished just about every game. He understands the role he has on the team and he’s stepping up to the task, which is important.”
The Christmas break has afforded Butler the time to work on a glaring weakness: free throw shooting. Even though the Townies won by a comfortable margin, there was still the matter of looking down at the scorebook and seeing 6-of-21 from the charity stripe.
“We shoot free throws everyday at practice because no there’s time built in,” said Butler. “Early on in the season you don’t have that time because you’re putting in (plays, offense and defense). I’ve seen an increase over the last week, but tonight we just didn’t focus.
“In a 20-point game, you look at and say ‘ha you shot 28 percent,’ but that’s not the situation,” said Butler. “I’m looking at it that it’s a one-point game, and when you go to the line, you’ve got to make them, which is what we have to do a better job.” 
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PONAGANSET (33): Joseph Fogarty 1 1-2 3, Nicholas Keeling 0 0-0 0, Adam Babcock 2 1-1 5, Brandon Remuck 2 1-4 5, Cody Gibb 2 0-2 4, Normon Diamonte 0 0-0 0, John Peterson 3 1-1 7, Josh Morgan 2 0-0 4, Nick Bourdeau 2 1-3 5. Totals: 14 5-13 33.
EAST PROVIDENCE (51): Donald Williams 5 1-3 11, Robert Delgado 0 1-3 1, Dana Andrade 1 0-0 2, George Leonardo 2 0-0 4, Jonathan Woodley 1 1-2 3, Brandon Barbosa 0 0-3 0, Matthew Rendine 0 0-0 0, John Caruolo 0 0-0 0, Abe Daramola 3 1-2 7, John Villari 5 1-2 12, Raymond Lambert 2 0-3 5, Steve Marshall 1 0-0 2, Kenny Gordon 0 1-3 1. Totals: 21 6-21 51.
Halftime: EP 28-16.
Three-point field goals: EP 2 (John Villari, Raymond Lambert).