Novans pick big road win over Kilties
Woonsocket beginning to develop identity
PROVIDENCE — The Woonsocket boys basketball team overcame 10 first-half turnovers and an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Mt. Pleasant, 74-66, at the Jim Ahern Gymnasium in Providence Thursday.
The Villa Novans were led by seniors Dwayne Robinson-O’Hagan, who made the go-ahead layup with 10:20 remaining to put the visitors up 46-45, Justo Colon, and Jossue Hernandez during the second half to regain their momentum.
Woonsocket outscored the Kilties 41-25 during the second half and the biggest difference was a switch to zone defense. “Our defense in the second half was as good as we played, holding a team like them to 25 points at their gym was good defense,” said Woonsocket coach TJ Ciolfi.
Senior Denzel Lyles finished with 12 points, two steals, one block and a couple of rebounds, Hernandez recorded six points, and had a key rebound in the second half, junior Ousmane Kourouma recorded eight points and Colon finished with two key steals.
“This league is so hard that for us to be 2-1 is a big difference between being 1-2,” said Ciolfi.
It was a great second-half effort by the nteam overall considering the Villa Novans
trailed by as many as 10 points early in the dfirst half. The biggest difference was the
turnovers in the first half and the several key nturnovers forced during the second half.
“We had a lot of possessions when we took tthe first available shot,” said Ciolfi. “When dyou do that, the defense is set up and you can’t get second shots. We lead Rhode Island in scoring for a reason so we’re in a hurry. We had to be a little more patient and in the second half, I thought we were.”
Mt. Pleasant came roaring back each time Woonsocket went on a run during the second half and made it tough, however, the seniors kept their poise and it showed.
Ciolfi pointed out seniors O’Hagan, Colon and Hernandez, whose leadership and poise is rubbing off on the younger players.
“The fact that it was the senior leaders making big plays (in the second half) helped because we’re going to need that down the line,” Ciolfi said. “In this league, you have to play well or it’s not going to work out.”
“We scored 70 for the sixth game in a row so there is plenty to go around so if we play unselfish on defense, we’re going to be good,” Ciolfi concluded.