Ferri hoops hosts toy drive

FANTASTIC FERRI FORCE: This is the combined players from the Ferri Middle School girls and boys basketball teams who recently hosted their 2nd Annual Holiday Scrimmage that raised revenue and collected presents for St. Mary’s Church in North Providence.

SANTA’S STAFF: Ferri Middle School basketball players Ava Waterman, Kaylee Poole and Aubrey Allen enjoy a lighter moment while delivering toys to St. Mary’s Church after their recent and 2nd Annual Holiday Scrimmage in Johnston.

(Submitted photos)

Posted Friday, January 17, 2020 1:15 pm

By PETE FONTAINE

The students who represent Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School in basketball recently learned lessons far more valuable than racking up a triple double or even sinking a last-second, game-winning bucket.

Led by Ferri’s fine coaches – namely Greta Lalli and Mike Bedrosian – the upstart Jaguars turned gift givers in a unique way that featured Ferri Middle School’s 2nd Annual Toys for St. Mary’s Kids Scrimmage Game.

The final score, Lalli – who also coaches boys’ volleyball at Johnston High School – and Bedrosian – who is an assistant coach with the Joe Acciardo-coached JHS baseball Panthers – enjoyed an in-house fun-filled basketball game with the net result being a good amount of toys for children at St. Mary’s Church which is located at 420 Fruit Hill Avenue in North Providence.

Admission charge, as Lalli wanted it known, was only $1 but more importantly one new and unwrapped gift for, as the two head Ferri coaches noted: “For the children.”

After the combined total of 30 middle school athletes scooted up and down the floor inside their famed gymnasium, Lady Jaguars like Ava Waterman, Kaylee Poole and Aubrey Allen played Santa Claus as they delivered bags of toys to St. Mary’s Church.

“This was special!” declared a Ferri fan while watching the girls and boys display their talents. “Hats off to the coaches and administrators for hosting this event that a lot of people hope will become a holiday tradition that next year will be bigger and better than ever.”

Thus, the members of Greta’s girls – a.k.a. Lady Jaguars – who played in the holiday hoop happening – were: Aubree Allen, Riley Guenette, Stephanie Marcantonio, Gisselly Nunez, Kaylee Poole, Jayana Rollins, Ariana Velasquez, Ava Waterman, Giada Achille, Isabella Schiavone, Ayva Soprano, Haley Boudreau, Annabella Gesualdi, Karissa Kopka and Gabriella Rusillo.

Bedrosian’s boys were represented by Cameron Walker, Mike Carlino, Jayden Testa, Neari Vasquez, Owen Gluschenko, Brandon Testa, Azani Rodriguez, Chris Civetti, Joe Matteo, Ryan Audino, David Cotoia, Derek Johnson, Max Card and Armani Arias.