‘Canes let big lead slip away in quarterfinal loss to Panthers

Joe Russo
Posted 2/26/15

The Division III boys’ basketball tournament got under way with a bang this past Tuesday night at Johnston High School, with the Panthers rallying from an early 26-point deficit to defeat Warwick …

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‘Canes let big lead slip away in quarterfinal loss to Panthers

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The Division III boys’ basketball tournament got under way with a bang this past Tuesday night at Johnston High School, with the Panthers rallying from an early 26-point deficit to defeat Warwick Vets, 68-64.

It looked as though the ‘Canes, 11-5 and the fifth-seed in the tournament, were going to run away with the game, as they built a 34-8 lead in the first eight minutes of play with a 16-0 run. Vets did everything right in those eight minutes thanks to some hot shooting from seniors Shane Kittila, who sank four 3-point shots and scored all 14 of his points in the first half ,and Kevin Martin, who scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half, as well as dominating the boards and blocking numerous Johnston shots.

Not to be outdone, Johnston, 12-5 and the fourth-seed in the tournament, proceeded to go on an 18-0 run, playing solid defense that created 14 Vets’ turnovers in the first half. The Panthers were sparked by Ryan Yankee’s 10 first-half points and they received strong leadership from Chris Vizzacco, who scored all seven of his points late in the first half.

“Chris Vizzacco settled us down emotionally and set up the offense the way it was supposed to be,” said Johnston head coach Steve DeMeo. “Ryan Yankee carried us offensively, but without Chris, we do not win this game. We started pressing with Chris and Warwick started turning the ball over, it just gave us a second wind. We are a better team than what we showed in the first eight minutes of the game.”

The ‘Canes took a 38-30 lead into the half, but it was the Panthers that had the momentum on two late baskets by Vizzacco as time was winding down in the first half.

“We did not panic,” DeMeo said. “I told the guys a lot of the shots we took early were good, they just did not fall and I knew we had to change what was going on out on the floor because Warwick was shooting very well.”

The Panthers got off to a good start as the second half began, with two Yankee buckets and Steve Cotoia, who netted 14 points in the game, making a shot to trim the lead to two. Israel Thomas, who contributed 11 points, put Warwick up, 52-47, as he crashed the boards and scored inside on two occasions after multiple opportunities. A technical foul on Johnston gave the ‘Canes a 56-51 lead, as Josh Muto hit three free throws. Muto was the fourth ‘Canes’ player to score in double-digits with 12 points.

The intensity of the game carried into the crowd, as things got a little out of hand and the game was stopped for a few minutes after an altercation between some fans at the 5:46 mark of the game.

As play resumed and order was restored, the Panthers tied the game on two of Yankee’s game-high 24 points. He gave Johnston its first lead of the game shortly after, putting the Panthers up, 62-60, with two minutes left in the game. Pete Smith, who had only two points on the night, kept Johnston in front with a basket that made it 64-62.

Trailing, 67-64, with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the ‘Canes needed a 3 to tie, but came up short and would turn the ball over to the Panthers with just 6 ticks left on the clock. Nas Vasquez was fouled on the inbounds pass, but missed his first free throw. After a Vets’ timeout, Vasquez sank the second free throw to make it a two-possession game, which preserved an amazing Panther come back.

“Steve DeMeo did a good job with the adjustments – they doubled the post and made a nice 18-0 run in the first half, while we were stuck at 34 points for some time,” said Vets’ head coach Chris LeBlanc. “We were up by seven with 3:30 left to go and we could not put it away. We have nine seniors on the team and their experience has paid off this year and we usually win close games like this – it just did not happen tonight. The turnovers were uncharacteristic of our team. I don’t know if it was the playoff atmosphere, but there was great atmosphere here tonight.”

“I have never been involved in a comeback like this before in my 10 years of coaching here,” DeMeo said. “It says a lot about my assistant coaches and players – they never gave up. It got a little weird with the crowd towards the end, but I liked the atmosphere here tonight.”

DeMeo also spoke about the play of Yankee.

“Ryan Yankee has been our leader all year and it is not easy for a sophomore to put all that responsibility on his shoulders,” DeMeo said. “He comes through every time for us.”

Johnston will play Moses Brown in the D-III semifinals on Friday night at 8 p.m. at East Providence High School.

The other semifinal will be Pilgrim and Scituate, with that game set for a 6 p.m. tip.

“If this game does not give us confidence for Friday, I don’t know what will,” DeMeo said.

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