JHS inducts 42 Panthers into athletic HOF

As the classic credo that Johnston High School’s new athletic director Justin Erickson, who has pumped new life into the Blue and White’s storied sports program goes: “It’s a great day to be a Panther!”
That was especially true Sunday afternoon when 42 alums were inducted into the prestigious Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
During a lively and historic happening held inside the famed Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium, long-time induction officer/one-time teacher Allan McGillivray, who was assisted by David Taraborelli and John Graham, read what he called the “remarkable resumes” of each member of the Class of 2023.
Within the span of 60-plus minutes, members of the 1995-96 Boys Basketball Class C State Championship team and 19 former Panther greats received what has become the traditional Lucite award bearing each inductee’s name and applause from a small yet appreciative audience that included proud family members, friends, former teammates and long-time JHS supporters.
“This is just like one big family reunion,” several people suggested. “Everyone here knows Gary is looking down on us smiling and recanting the glory days of yesteryear.”
The late Gary V. Mazzie, who succumbed to an illness but founded the prestigious JHS Athletic Hall of Fame back in 2012, would have indeed been proud of what the event has become in just 11 short years.
That’s especially true for Jim Hopkins, the late Mazzie’s best friend and coaching cohort, who teamed up to lead the Panthers to that Class C state title.
“We all miss Gary,” Hopkins emphasized as he greeted his long-time friend’s widow Lee Mazzie and daughters Samantha and Becky. “We are indeed proud to carry on this important tradition in his memory.”
Inductees who were named All-State were Michael Pennacchia, 2013 baseball; Ryan McKeon, 2014 baseball; Marc Conte, 2014-15 football and those who received multiple All League or multiple sport All League were Alex DiRaimo, 2013 volleyball; Isabella DiRaimo, 2015 basketball; David Principe, 1984 cross country, outdoor track and wrestling; Leah Gravel, 2015 soccer; and Rachelle Boehm, 2014 soccer.
Also, Jason Cerro, 1998 football; Steve Denencour, 1990 hockey; Michael Mollicone, 1979 hockey; William Lytle, 1963 cross country, outdoor track and Heidi Baker, 1982 outdoor track and softball.
Bill McNamara was honored for his track and cross country coaching career while Len DiMeo received his induction as the former wrestling coach.
Mark Gilmore and Glen Carroll received the Contributors Award for volunteering the past 16 years to announce the boys’ and girls’ basketball games as well as Ferri Middle School basketball and JHS soccer.
The Gary V. Mazzie Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jen Saccoccio Paolantonio, 2001 soccer and Miliken Award in Education for 2019 and Gary Bucci, 1979 letter winner in football, hockey and baseball who coached the Cranston Western Little League All-Star into the World Series as well as a number New England and state championships.
The 1995-96 state basketball champions were John Holder, Steven Russillo, Mike Rainone, Brian Renaud, Jim DiPetrillo, Dave DelFino, Doug Waterman, Norm Paquin, Carmone Goneconte, Steve DeMeo, Ken Norigian, John MacAndrew, Brent Williams, Bob Pelland, Kent Waterman and coaches Jim Hopkins, Gary Mazzie, Stephen Gaskin, managers Steven Frederick, Dan Beliveau, Matt DiIorio, Kelly Eramian and Mrs. Coach Lois Hopkins.