Jaguars wrap up playoff run

The Ferri boys basketball team enjoyed another big campaign this winter, finishing the regular season undefeated and earning a playoff win in the preliminary round of the postseason before falling in the quarters.
The Jaguars had one of the most experienced rosters in the state with 15 eighth graders. Leading the way for Ferri was Jordan Diclo, who emerged as one of the state’s elite middle school players as he averaged 30 point per game.
The Johnston High School boys team is going through a rebuild in its first season in Division I, and Ferri coach Mike Iafrate is excited to establish a feeder system in the town’s basketball programs and to help replenish the Panther roster next winter with guys like Diclo.
“It’s very exciting. We have seven or eight kids that played a lot. That should help rebuild the high school team. Jordan Diclo is a kid that can start next year as a freshman. He’s one of the best players in the state. Ezekiel (Sonaike), Ethan Archambeault and (Michael) DeAngelis can help the team right away as well. We have a really good group of eighth graders that we’re hoping will stay together at the next level,” Iafrate said.
Much of this year’s Ferri team has played together for several seasons, which created a strong bond on the court. The experienced lineup also allowed multiple players to have breakout seasons.
“It was the chemistry between the players and the coaches. It was never just one guy. All five of our starters came together and we had a few key guys off the bench. The chemistry worked well all season along with the hard work and dedication,” said Iafrate.
Although Ferri will be losing a significant portion of its roster next season, Iafrate is confident in the returners and feels that the Jaguars are not going anywhere. Notable returners will be Eric Ferrara, Torin Kalnietis and Michael Iafrate.
“I hope that we can go undefeated again. We have the pieces to do that, we have the pieces to win the division,” Iafrate said.
Members of the 2024-25 Ferri team included: Sonaike, DeAngelis, Diclo, Ariel Castillo, Ferrara, Archambeault, James Smith, Michael Iafrate, Dante Ferranti, Cory Veitch, Kalnietis, Gio Labbadia, Joseph Wayne, DeMartino Petit Homme, Ryder Calabro, Jake Schroer, Patrell Hamilton, Domenic Keenan, Cam Hubbard, Ethan Patnaude, Galilea Guzman Vaca, Steve Heredia and Brendon Reed. Coaches were Mike Iafrate, TJ Leomensah and Mike Carlino.