Veteran 'Canes will use size to their advantage

Kevin Pomeroy, Sports Editor
Posted 12/16/14

The Warwick Vets boys’ basketball team has two key factors that it hopes will guide its 2014-15 season.

For one, the ’Canes are big. With half a dozen post players measuring over 6-feet – …

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Veteran 'Canes will use size to their advantage

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The Warwick Vets boys’ basketball team has two key factors that it hopes will guide its 2014-15 season.

For one, the ’Canes are big. With half a dozen post players measuring over 6-feet – some well over – Vets is in a hugely advantageous position, especially in Division III.

The second factor is experience. Vets has nine seniors on its team, most of who were key contributors last season, and some who are now in their third year with the team.

That combination of veteran leadership and size gives the ’Canes high hopes, and high expectations. They’re planning to make some real noise this year for the first time in a while.

“Expectations are there to make a run at this baby, and I expect to make a run,” said Vets head coach Chris LeBlanc.

Vets went 10-8 last season and won a playoff game before losing to Mt. Hope in the D-III quarterfinals. Gone from that squad are some big pieces, most notably First-Team All-Division selection Will Remak. Second-Team selection Scott Camara graduated too, as did Justin Batista, Tim Hogan and Kyle Agin.

The ’Canes’ personnel last year dictated a fast-paced game, where they put a premium on shooting from the outside.

Vets can still shoot, but this year its game plans will revolve around the interior, where it hopes to take advantage of all that size.

“We’re pretty big, with Shane Kittila and Israel Thomas and Ryan Wirth and Kevin Martin and Levi Martin,” LeBlanc said. “They’re all over 6-2. We’re big in that sense and that’s a good thing for us.”

Kittila, Thomas, Wirth and the 6-foot-8 Kevin Martin are all seniors, while Levi Martin is a junior.

LeBlanc expects all of them to play.

“We’re trying to find some consistency right now,” LeBlanc said. “But we’ve got some seniors on the team and I expect them to lead the charge.”

The ’Canes feel confident at the guard spots too, especially with senior Josh Muto back for his third-year at the point.

Muto was a Second-Team All-Division selection last year.

Stepping into the shooting guard role is senior Jeremy Batista, the brother of Justin. In the three spot is senior Kyle Rice, who saw some time last year.

“He’s one of those guys that will run through a brick wall for you,” LeBlanc said of Rice.

LeBlanc is high on his big men, but he still expects strong play from his guards.

“Josh and Jeremy and Kyle, they’re all seniors too,” LeBlanc said. “We should have some leadership. Hopefully they’ll step up.”

Senior Zach Caruso is in his first year playing varsity and will see a good amount of time, while first-year senior Nikone Soupharath is fresh off the soccer season and should contribute.

Sophomores Jake Gonsalves and Nate Ferri are also playing varsity.

The ’Canes played an Injury Fund game on Friday against Middletown – a perennial D-III power – and lost 42-39. Yet, it was encouraging.

The Islanders have actually moved up to D-II, and Vets hung with them every step of the way. Vets led 13-0 and by seven at halftime before a rough second half sent them to the loss.

But the ’Canes very easily could have won. On Sunday, they were even more impressive, defeating Division I West Warwick 70-58 in the Ponaganset Pink Madness Tournament behind 17 points from Muto, 16 from Rice, 15 from Batista and 12 from Kitila.

It was a total team effort.

“We’re trying to foster the idea that everybody means something on this team,” LeBlanc said.

Vets is one of 14 teams remaining in D-III this season after Interscholastic League realignment shook up the landscape. There are only three subdivisions this season – as opposed to four, and 16 total teams, last year – and the ’Canes are playing in D-III-South along with Pilgrim, Toll Gate and Chariho.

They’ll play their first D-III game of the season today at Davies at 6:15 p.m.

It might be the start of something special.

“Our goal is to get better,” LeBlanc said. “Get more consistent.”

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