The cities of Warwick and Cranston had another big year in sports in 2024. There were many notable stories that captured headlines throughout not only the town, but throughout the state and in some cases, the world. Here is a look at what happened this past year:

CRANSTON
Kicking off the 2024 year for Cranston was West senior Quiana Pezza, who led the Falcons in indoor track when she took home the state championship in the long jump.
Perhaps the biggest story in Cranston in 2024 was the massive success of its softball scene.
The Cranston East Bolts were the best team in Division III from start to finish and made it look easy in the playoffs, as they beat Pawtucket 10-1 in the finals to claim their first softball title in school history.
Then, of course, were the CLCF-CWLL Gals, who made national headlines as they mercied Tiverton 12-0 to win the state championship, then cruised through the regional tournament to qualify for the World Series. The team went 1-2 in Greenville, NC, and will be remembered as one of the top youth sports teams the city has ever seen.
The CLCF-CWLL 10’s also won their state title and qualified for regionals, as the Cranston Western baseball 11 year olds won their state championship and qualified for regionals.
Youth sports continued to dominate the headlines in the fall season, as the CLCF 14-U cheerleading team reached nationals after winning state and regional titles. The team put on a show in Florida, taking second place overall to cement its place as one of the premier youth cheer teams in the country.
The CLCF 13-U football team also won its state championship and would reach the regional final, where it fell to Springfield, Mass. in a tight 6-0 decision.

WARWICK
The Toll Gate girls basketball team made history when it won the Division III state championship, which was the program’s first title in over 40 years. Adeline Areson was named All-Division and put on an epic fourth quarter performance to lift the Titans to the win.
Player of the Year Griffin Crain led the Bishop Hendricken hockey team to its fourth straight championship, while the Hendricken swim team also got the job done after coming up short the previous season. The Warwick co-op gymnastics team won its second state championship in three years as Riley Bromage finished second and Madison Long third in the all-around category.
Three female wrestlers took home individual state championships as Pilgrim’s Allison Patten won the 100-pound title and Toll Gate’s Angel Bui took first at 114 pounds. Toll Gate’s Victoria Salinas took first at 145 pounds.
Putting a bow on the winter high school season was Toll Gate’s Alison Pankowicz, who won her first-ever title when she took first in the 1,000 meter run.
Hendricken was well-represented again in the spring and the baseball team captured the state championship. Once again, Crain put on a show by getting the game-winning hit in the first game of the series then picking up the victory on the mound in the second game as the Hawks pulled off the sweep over South Kingstown.
Warwick saw a handful of locals win outdoor track and field state titles, led by Pilgrim’s Brandon Wolfenden, who won the shot put championship. Carson Dean won the pole vault for Hendricken while Markus Sukkar finished first in the discus throw for the Hawks. Teammate Matt Giuliano finished first in the hammer throw. Hendricken’s Damon Buchanan finished first in the javelin.
Hendricken alumni were honored in the spring and summer as the school retired Kwity Paye’s number in the gym as he is enjoying life in the NFL.
Next up was Joe Mazzulla leading the Boston Celtics to their NBA record 18th championship when they beat the Dallas Mavericks in the finals back in June. Mazzulla became the youngest coach in nearly six decades to win an NBA title after guiding the Celtics throughout a dominant regular season and postseason run.
Mazzulla would then go on a tour in the summer, making stops at the Rhode Island State House, Johnston Town Hall and his alma mater Bishop Hendricken.
It was a busy fall season to close out the year.
Headlining the season was Pilgrim’s Keaney Bayha, who won the cross country state championship and was the first Warwick public school runner to ever do it. Her brother, Kingston, took first place in the boys middle school championship for Vets as well. The Hawks cruised to the team win up at Ponaganset.
The Hendricken football team topped La Salle in an epic football state championship clash, led by another huge performance by running back Jeremy Seidi. The final Warwick team to win a championship was the Hendricken soccer team, which beat La Salle in penalty kicks to claim its first title since 1996.
The last big event to take place in Warwick was the annual Thanksgiving Warwick Beacon Bowl between Pilgrim and Toll Gate. The Pats rolled to the lopsided win to extend their Thanksgiving streak while also celebrating one final victory on historic Morry Field, which will be closed down as the new high school is set to break ground in 2025.