A little of this, a little of that …

How important is family to Ed Cooley? It’s part of the core mantra he developed for the Providence College men’s basketball team: “Us, We, Together, Family, Friars.”

For nearly three years, we were told this day was coming. Rest assured it didn’t sneak up on us.

The beauty of the 2021 high school softball season is that every team in the state has already brushed up against adversity long before an official pitch was thrown in an actual game.

PAWTUCKET – Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself when the last time was you did something nice for the benefit of someone else.

PAWTUCKET – During this “Fall II” season where thankfulness for the opportunity to compete has intersected with the pursuit of a championship, the St. Raphael football team has bordered on between being very good and excellent.

PAWTUCKET – In Justin DeCosta’s bedroom, you’ll find a picture hanging that shows him standing next to Kwity Paye.

PAWTUCKET ­— Once again, the St. Raphael Academy girls’ volleyball team proved to in good hands with senior Maddy Nault and junior Victoria Adegboyega.

A little of this, a little of that …

It was one thing for Justin Minaya to hear the sales pitches from coach Ed Cooley and his staff about why Minaya would represent a good fit for the Providence Friars. It’s a different ball of wax when seeking out opinions from players who can speak firsthand about life in Cooley’s system.

PROVIDENCE – Even in defeat, the signs of victory were everywhere.

BURRILLVILLE — At some point in a championship season, a football team is going to encounter some adversity and have to find a way to overcome it.

PROVIDENCE — It was a Saturday afternoon spent in the state’s capital city to largely forget, yet the North Smithfield/Mount St. Charles Co-op football team can ill afford to lick their wounds following a 42-0 whitewashing against Classical.

PROVIDENCE – Elijah Osei, can you see the end zone – and the Division II playoffs?

You can say that Pawtucket native Mike Webb has fit in quite nicely in his first and what will prove to be his only season with the University of Rhode Island baseball team.

PAWTUCKET – You hear stories all the time about sportsmanship. What you’re about to read ranks right up there as one of the best examples of fair play. 

PAWTUCKET — Bottom line, the Tolman High football team was thrilled to resume its season on Saturday.

The latest Friar to depart the men’s basketball program does so without logging so much as a single game for the program that recruited him to Providence out of high school.

A little of this, a little of that …

Tyler Kolek is ready to fly like an eagle at a Big East school.

CRANSTON – Like many high school football programs around the state, Davies Tech walks the fine line of using the “Fall II” season as a chance to get the younger players primed and ready for the traditional fall season, while also pushing for a playoff spot.

PAWTUCKET – A year ago, Maddie Nault earned a headline in this very newspaper for the “Masks for Maddie” campaign that benefited Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement.

A little of this, a little of that …

PAWTUCKET – They took their lumps in consecutive seasons while competing in the state’s top division. Amidst back-to-back campaigns with identical win-loss records (2-5), there was always the belief that better days were on the horizon.

PROVIDENCE – David Duke’s time as a member of the Providence men’s basketball program has come to an end. On Friday, it was announced that Duke is foregoing his remaining eligibility with the Friars and entering the 2021 NBA Draft.

A little of this, a little of that …

A double-take was required. This kid can’t be in kindergarten?

“Brito is going to be a special player,” said Lincoln boys basketball head coach Kent Crooks, those words appearing in the Jan. 30, 2019 edition of the Call/Times.

For Amaya Dowdy, the missing piece to a stellar high school basketball career was achieved earlier this month when St. Raphael capped off a perfect season by capturing the program’s first Division I championship in two decades.

SCITUATE — Football coaches who have been around the block a time or two understand that one game does not define a season.

“I hope Noah comes back,” said Nate Watson on March 17 when asked if he planned to persuade his PC Friar roommate to follow his lead and utilize the NCAA’s extra of eligibility.

A little of this, a little of that …

PROVIDENCE – Another Friar basketball player is on the move as head coach Ed Cooley now has four open scholarships at his disposal in his quest to lead PC back to the NCAA Tournament.

Fortunate. Grateful for the opportunity. Thankful beyond belief.

PAWTUCKET — The weather on Sunday afternoon was perfect for this time of year. The location to mark an important occasion also proved to be ideal as two prime reasons why the Tolman High boys soccer team has ranked among the state’s elite in recent seasons made their respective Division I co…

The recently-completed indoor season bore witness to Nicolette Ducharme’s rise as queen of the R.I. high school girls’ shot put community.

There’s unfinished business on multiple fronts. That’s why Nate Watson plans to stick around for a fifth season with the Providence Friars.