Girls’ High School Basketball Preview

Senior-laden Panthers have one more shot at something special

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No matter how you slice it, the Johnston girls’ basketball team has underachieved the past two years.

After going to the Division II semifinals three years ago with a young team, that group was unable to get past the preliminary round each of the last two seasons.

Now with six seniors on the roster, it’s the final chance to break through for the Panthers’ longtime varsity players.

They’re going to do all they can to seize the moment.

“We’ll get better,” said Johnston head coach Chris Corsinetti. “Hopefully we won’t peak too early. I think by the time the end of the year comes we’ll be clicking on all cylinders.”

The top contributor Johnston graduated off last year’s team was post player Alex DiRaimo. Guard Aziza Asad also graduated.

Other than that, everyone is back in the fold, and the Panthers are understandably aiming higher than last year’s 11-5 mark. Corsinetti has 10 players who should see the floor consistently without much drop-off.

“I probably can go with 10 players,” Corsinetti said. “There’s no question about it.”

Also working in the Panthers’ favor is the fall season, which saw the volleyball program capture the Division III championship. Four of the top players on that title-winning team are in the rotation for the basketball team, with seniors Dana Desmarais – the D-III volleyball player of the year – and Francesca Gaudiana – the MVP of the championship match – penciled into the starting lineup.

Senior Angela Gallucci and junior Kristina DiMascio are other volleyball players who will help anchor the second unit.

The attitude coming off the championship is entirely different than last year, when the volleyball team lost in the finals in heartbreaking fashion. That may have carried over into basketball.

This year, the only things carrying over are confidence and a championship pedigree.

“I think they know what it takes as far as keeping kids focused and making a team effort to win,” Corsinetti said. “I think they understand that more than ever.”

In addition to the players with that volleyball background, Johnston also has some true basketball players who have carried the team the past two years.

Seniors Isabella DiRaimo and Karina Mattera are serving as captains have been the team’s two leading scorers each of the past two seasons. Mattera reached 1,000 points for her career last year as a junior.

She’ll play on the wing, while DiRaimo runs the point, although she may see some time in the post this year.

Those two, along with Desmarais, will probably be the team’s top scoring threats.

“I think they will be (our top scorers), but I don’t think the burden will be totally on them like in the past,” Corsinetti said. “I think we have other kids who can step up and score.”

Gaudiana is a guard and is one of the team’s top defensive players, while senior Lauren Tedesco is also serving as a captain and will be in the starting lineup.

“Lauren is one of those players that you always find a spot for because of her work ethic,” Corsinetti said. “She’ll run through a wall for you if you ask her to. She’s a very good leader.”

The team’s second unit features the two volleyball players, Gallucci and DiMascio, as well as returning junior Renee DeAngelis, who has made big strides in the off-season.

The other two players making up that group are junior twin transfers Jalontei and Shalontei Young, who moved to Johnston from Mississippi.

They’ll provide some much-needed athleticism, with Shalontei playing point guard and Jalontei playing on the wing and in the post.

“They’ll fit in nicely by the time we’re prepared to play the season, once they start getting more comfortable in the system.”

They’ll also allow Corsinetti to move DiRaimo off the ball at times, giving his team a look it hasn’t had the past few years.

“Bella is taller than most point guards,” Corsinetti said. “We can even move her to the post. Our team is full of even players as far as height is concerned. She may help us down low a little bit.”

Juniors Mira Quirini and Katerina Athaide could also see some time.

Division II has changed this year, as it was comprised of 24 teams last season and is now made up of just 20. It may be more difficult, however, as a number of D-I teams moved down. There are now just two subdivisions, as opposed to the four of the past.

Johnston plays in D-II-North.

The Panthers already scrimmaged Smithfield, last Monday, and were pleased with the results. Their first league game was scheduled for Wednesday against Woonsocket, with results unavailable at press time. They also host Cumberland on Saturday at 7 p.m.

It’s the beginning of the fourth and final chance for Johnston’s senior class.

“Last year we totally just underachieved,” Corsinetti said. “But that seems to be all behind us. These seniors now realize, like any kid wouldn’t realize to begin with, how fast high school goes. I think they’re going to stay focused.”

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