If there were any questions about whether Johnston could compete in Division II, they were answered by its average margin of victory so far.
The Panthers have breezed through their non-league opponents to begin the 2016-17 campaign, winning each of their first four tilts by double digits. First, they downed Division I Woonsocket during Injury Fund last week, 62-52.
Johnston followed that up with a pair of wins at the Ponaganset Pink Madness Tournament. The Panthers first took care of Davies, 66-34, on Saturday behind senior dynamo Ryan Yankee’s 30 points, four rebounds, four steals and a block. Sunday’s tilt with Ponaganset was another blowout, 91-66.
“Ryan’s playing very well,” Johnston co-head coach Dan Mazzulla said after the triumph over Davies. “He’s playing very hard. I think he’s very focused. He wants to compete. Ryan’s a very good competitor, and he’s working hard in practice. He’s coming into every game focused and ready to play.”
Tuesday’s road contest with Division III Burrillville was a lopsided victory as well, as three different Panthers hit double figures to help their squad coast to a 4-0 record.
Yankee has been sensational yet again to start the season, and his dominance showed against the Patriots this weekend. He nearly outscored Davies by himself, taking control of the game during the first half and never letting go.
He drained seven field goals during the opening 16 minutes, as many as the Patriots hit as a team, and the remainder of Johnston’s starting five each contributed. Returners Nassir Vasquez and Mike Sabitoni combined for 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Patriots.
“We’re trying to concentrate on working on defense,” Mazzulla said. “We’re not very big, so we have to push the ball out to the perimeter. We’re really trying to take away the middle, take away the drive and make them beat us from outside.”
Center Kyle Nelson and point guard Nick Mollicone, newcomers to the rotation, have each impressed in the earlygoing. Nelson only had two points in the clash with Davies, but he pulled down a team-high eight boards.
Mollicone has admirably filled the shoes of Jake Coro thus far. He had four points and three rebounds versus Davies, but it was his team-high five steals that showed his defensive prowess.
If Johnston can keep this starting five in rhythm, it can be an underrated force in Division II.
“We’re in Division II, so we’re going to take it game-by-game,” Mazzulla said. “Everyone likes to look into the crystal ball, but we’re going to go one game at a time. [We’ll] learn, get better. The kids have good energy. We’re looking to keep it like that, one game at a time.”
Mike Pilkington and Andrew Zalisk have had some solid performances off the bench, which will be key in case Johnston finds itself in foul trouble. Pilkington had six points and a steal against Davies, while Zalisk posted six points on three field goals at Burrillville.
The real tests begin today for the Panthers as they face off with Toll Gate, a familiar foe from the ranks of Division III that also ascended this offseason.
The Titans most recently crushed North Smithfield, 64-30, at home on Tuesday night. Toll Gate brought a balanced strategy as Brandon Scott, Damien Mendoza and Joe Gionti each recorded at least 11 points. Toll Gate’s defense locked down during the second half, holding the Northmen to just 10 points.
Toll Gate and Johnston tip off in Warwick at 7 p.m.
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