Warriors have changed since loss to Tiverton

CENTRAL FALLS – It was about 6:15 p.m., Wednesday when Central Falls High head coach Jeff Doucette decided to bring his practice session, then 60 percent over, to a halt. He told his players to hustle to the far end of the gymnasium and settle under the basket. “It just seemed like the right time for a chat; some of them were a little bruised and tired,” Doucette said, referring to his squad’s 70-59 victory over Ponaganset in a Division III quarterfinal the night before. “I talked to the guys about our next game (a semifinal against second-seeded Tiverton, slated for 7:30, tonight at East Providence) and what we needed to do turn the tide.” According to the Warriors’ chief, the same Tigers scorched CF, 58-41, on this same floor during the league opener back on Dec. 13, and reminded his boys about how unattractive it was. “They took it to us,” sighed Doucette just after conducting the meeting. “They have two guys who average 20-plus points per game – (junior guard) Carson Hart scored 23 with five threes, and that’s why he’s probably the best player in Division III. Then there was (senior forward) Michael Hrycin, who averaged 19 per game; he finished with 17 and three (treys). “When I talked to the team, I told the guys we’re a totally different team than we were in that one,” he continued. “For instance, most of our starters are different. I’ve got Elton Soares, (a senior center) who didn’t score at all (against Tiverton). He wasn’t even the sixth man back then, but worked his way into the starting lineup because he busted his butt and made All-Division second team as a result. “This was his first year playing basketball; he came over from the soccer team to help us,” he continued. “Another kid, Emmanuel Division (a senior forward), didn’t score in that one, either, and now he’s averaging 14 points and eight boards a game. He’s also our leading three-point scorer, and made firstteam All-Division. “So did (junior co-captain/point guard) Dutchie Arroyo.” Doucette included the input made by junior small forward Starlyn Mercado, who led the team in rebounds throughout the regular season. Ask Doucette what his third-ranked Warriors must do to upset the Tigers, and he answered in kind. “In that first game, we just didn’t play well,” he offered. “Tiverton is a very, very good team; all of those kids played together last year, so they have that chemistry. They dominated (the opener), and we were still trying to jell, figure out the right lineup, the right formula. “The defense we played back then has disappeared; we’re now playing a 1-3-1, and we’re doing really well with it. Even opposing coaches have told us that.” When asked how CF can pull off a victory, he laughed and said, “That’s what my as- sistant (Greg Conroy) and I were just talking about! Seriously, it’s going to have to be the same formula that we’ve been using for the better part of the season. We have to contest every shot, and keep at least one of those (two) scorers (Hart and Hrycin) from doing so much (damage). “We can’t allow them to combine for 40 points. We have to do the same thing we did (during the regular season in a win) against North Smithfield, when we took away Steve Goulet and Ethan Savoie.” Doucette indicated his impromptu meeting seemed to have the desired effect. “I know Emmanuel actually said, “I’m not going get shut out again. No way.” he added. “He led us (Tuesday) night with 23 (against the Chieftains). “He hesitated, then noted, “You know, I say it all the time to the guys. It’s ‘Defend, rebound and run.' When we do that correctly, hold an opponent to one shot, get the rebound and go, that’s when we excel. That’s when things click for us.”