The basketball programs at Central Falls share more than the same hardwood. The Warriors, both boys and girls, are interwoven in their team goals, i.e. to finish on top of their respective leagues at season’s end.
That would classify as a proud feat for this small school, a double dribble of net-cutting proportions. Or to borrow from the golf vernacular, sinking birdie-birdie on consecutive holes on the final day of a major. CF hopes display a little Tiger Woods flair when the championships are held at URI’s Ryan Center March 13-14.
“It’s fantastic to see both are in the running,” said Joe Handy, the girls’ head coach and a member of CF’s last boys title squad (1987).
Much can happen before a coronation can take place, but both Warrior outfits appear in complete control of their impending destinies. The boys, piloted by head coach Brian Crookes, are as talented a team you’ll run across in Division III. Buoyed by a 12-1 record heading into tomorrow’s tussle at Fatima, the Warriors have earned the label “team to beat” in the upcoming state tournament.
At 11-1, Handy’s Lady Warriors are also excelling. Only Hope is perched above CF in the standings, the Blue Wave dealing the Warriors their lone league loss to date (61-45 on Jan. 27). Stingy defense is no question the backbone of CF’s operation, the Warriors surrendering an average of 25.6 ppg.
Since there’s no official record documenting such feats, we can safely assume no school has claimed a boys and girls title in the same season. That means CF could wind up with a fantastic first. Crossing this unprecedented terrain would allow the spotlight to shine brightly on two outfits that have been on the cusp of setting foot in the winners’ circle for sometime now.
The Lady Warriors have rolled a few putts just short on the cup, falling in the championship game two times in the last three years. What separates this seasons’ edition is that these girls embody the concept of team, right down to the stitching on their uniforms. CF teams of recent memory have had the luxury of a central go-to performer, the proud list including graduates Carlene Fonseca and Tatiana Baena.
What CF lacks in star power is made up by an unselfish nature. Just recently did the Warriors have someone’s scoring average jump into double figures in freshman Angelique Cooley (10.2). The nucleus of the team is comprised mostly of underclassmen, but there’s three seniors Handy counts heavily on in top rebounder Valarie Biascochea (“she’s our rock,” says Handy), Jenny Gonzalez and backup point guard Alyssa Polion.
“We’ve been preaching the team concept since Day One, it has to be a collective effort,” said Handy, who counts his lucky stars with a rotation that runs 11 girls deep. “The older girls can see that the younger girls can play and contribute, which has been a big help.”
While Handy, now in his ninth season in the head coaching chair, can hang his hat on the still-rising win total, he is just as pleased with the class the girls have displayed. “I’m a stickler for good sportsmanship, and this team is no exception. We may knock someone down, but we’re right there to help that person up. You want your team to be physical, but not to impact the game in a negative way.”
With four players averaging 14 points or better – Rob Alers, George Carle, Antonio Mena and Luis Pena – Crookes has talent bursting at the seams. The impression you gather after watching the CF boys fly around the court in that they’re utterly unselfish.
Carle and Pena, both seniors, were on Crookes’ first CF team when he succeeded Ed McVeigh in 2005. Since then the Warriors have advanced to the final game twice, falling to Feinstein in 2006 and Moses Brown last season.
Crookes believes finishing in the runner-up position has served as a prime motivator. Having that bitter taste hang over the players’ heads is only fueling their drive for another crack at the title. Opponents have certainly felt the Warriors’ wrath (CF has posted double figure wins in all 12 league wins).
“We felt we left something out there last season, but we came back to the drawing board raring to go. There’s been a definite increase in the intensity during practice,” said Crookes. “They’ve been together for a few seasons now and guys are always picking each other up when they come off the floor.”
The support system for both sets of Warriors is an unbreakable bond. Handy attends just about every boys’ game when the schedule doesn’t conflict. Ditto for the boys, who are among the girls’ biggest supporters whenever they take the floor at home.
“Coach Handy is someone that I rely on, he’s been a part of CF athletic history,” said Crookes. “I’m rooting for him as I’m sure he’s rooting for us.”  
Rooting all the way to the Ryan Center, site of where championship aspirations are possibly waiting for two basketball programs hailing from the same school.
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“Humbled, surprised,” were the words that sprung into Kathy Luther’s mind when she learned she was bestowed with the honor of R.I. Athletic Director of the Year. Luther, the AD at Central Falls, found out last week, the announcement coming from the Interscholastic League’s Athletic Administrative Association.
The athletic department has sailed right along under Luther’s watch after she grabbed the reigns four years ago. Since then CF has added the following to its sports repertoire – swimming and outdoor track.
Participation in all sports is also up since Luther, a former girls’ basketball coach for the Warriors, stepped into the big chair. “We’ve had over 300 kids involved in athletics this year,” Luther was happy to report.
“She’s the glue,” said Crookes. 
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As a backup goaltender, Brian Boucher has one of the best seats in the house. Make that a primo seat for one of the top clubs in the NHL in the San Jose Sharks. Boucher, a Woonsocket native who played one season for Mount St. Charles (2003-04), is doing a fine job backs up All-Star Evgeni Nabokov.
The 32-year-old Boucher has appeared in 13 games to date with the Sharks, compiling a solid 9-1-2 record. He also has a paltry 1.79 goals-against-average and two shutouts to his credit.