Sorrentine has been at the helm at SRA the past 20 seasons, capturing five state championships during that span. A man widely known for his nickname and furry sideburns, “Saar” began shepherding the program following the untimely passing of Dennis M. Lynch Jr. in the late ‘80s.
The proudest feat during Sorrentine’s tenure materialized as a result of the historic “four peat” of Division I titles from 1998-02. Yet it’s the first championship under Sorrentine’s surveillance, that coming in the 1995-96 season, that conjures up the most memories.
“That’s when everyone bought into the whole thing,” said Sorrentine.
One Saint who epitomized the hard work that went into garnering that first banner was Jason Bennett, a fill-in player who played much bigger than his role. Noted Sorrentine: “He was the guy everyone looked up to. Every drill and conditioning run we did, he’d finish first. He was a basketball fanatic.”
Of course it helps a coach if he has talent, which Sorrentine has been blessed to work with. From Curtis McCants to Robert Griffin to sons T.J. and James Sorrentine to Jeff Xavier, St. Raphael has featured some of the state’s preeminent talent over the past two decades.
“Practices would always be so competitive,” said Sorrentine. “Guys would be fighting for (roster) spots or playing time.”
Lynch Jr. and Sorrentine perfected SRA’s tiny gymnasium, a ka the Lynch Complex, into the ultimate homecourt advantage. The court’s tight dimensions proved quite handy whenever the Saints blanketed opponents with a full-court press.
“No one wanted to play there,” said a laughing Sorrentine.
Simoes played at Tolman before entering the service. He attended CCRI in the early 70s upon his discharge, where he came off the bench for longtime coach Vin Cullen. Simoes then moved on to Plymouth State (N.H.) College before eventually taking up permanent residence in the Granite State. Today Simoes serves as an assistant coach at Brewster Academy, one of the more renowned prep schools in region (the Bobcats have produced 41 D-I hoopsters the past five years).
Widely remembered as “Gentleman Jim,” Donaldson Sr. thrived as the coach for the Tigers and Saints. The gymnasium at Tolman bears his name and a high school boys’ basketball tournament in his memory takes place there every December.
Standing at 6-foot-8, Don Suggs would tower over the opposition. Jerry, currently a girls’ coach at the William H. Davies Vocational & Technical High School, was two years behind Don at Tolman. October plans to be a busy month for the younger Suggs, who will be inducted into the Rhode Island College Hall of Fame as part of the Anchormen’s 1968-69 men’s basketball squad.
Hughes, an All-State performer in the early ‘50s at C.F., went on to star at Holy Cross, where he received NABC All-District honors in 1958. He would later go on to coach boys’ basketball at Cumberland High.
Pereira was the driving force behind the Clippers’ undefeated season in 1980-81, which was coached by Frank Geiselman, now the athletic director at Cumberland. Before transforming the girls’ program at La Salle into a 21st century powerhouse (five D-I crowns in seven years), Reddy helped put North Smithfield on the map. Reddy steered the Northmen to the D-II title in 2001 after numerous runner-up finishes.
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The induction ceremony will take place Friday, October 9 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. For more information on the purchase of tickets and other details, visit www.internationalsport.com/basketball or contact Dr. Mal Mackenzie at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (401) 874-2673.