Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday's boys and girls basketball D-II championships
The RIIL Basketball Division Championships continue Tuesday at The AMP in Providence. After three games Monday, it’s Division II’s turn to take to the court in search of a title.
Up first at 6p.m. is the Division II Girls Basketball Championship, with undefeated Moses Brown taking on Pawtucket – which is a co-op of Shea and Tolman. That game will be immediately followed by the Division II Boys Basketball Championship between undefeated Lincoln and Tolman.
What else do you need to know about the games? Plenty – and we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about tonight's title games.
2024 RIIL Boys Basketball Division II Championship Game
No. 1 Lincoln vs. No. 3 Tolman
WHEN AND WHERE: Tuesday, 8 p.m., The AMP
LEAGUE RECORDS: Lincoln 18-0, Tolman 15-3
PREVIOUS MATCHUP: Lincoln went on the road and beat Tolman, 62-52, on Jan. 18.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: In the quarterfinals, Lincoln beat No. 8 Cranston West, 81-56, while Tolman beat No. 11 Middletown, 79-62. In the semifinals, Lincoln beat No.4 Johnston, 55-40, while Tolman beat No. 2 St. Raphael, 59-53.
TOTAL TITLES: Lincoln 4 (3 Division II, 1 Division III), Tolman 7 (7 State)
LAST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE: Lincoln beat Johnston, 51-48, in the 2020 Division III title game. Tolman lost to West Warwick, 74-70, in the 1994 Division II championship game.
LAST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP WIN: Lincoln beat Johnston in overtime, 51-48, to win the 2020 Division III championship. Tolman beat East Providence, 57-54, to win the 1964 Division I (State) championship.
HEAD COACHES: Lincoln – Jeremy Wilner, Tolman – Mike Neal.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Lincoln – Josh Bergeron, G, So.; Ace Cote, G, Jr.; Camden DiChiara, G, Sr.; Gianni Pagios, G, So.; Wayne McNamara, F, Sr. Tolman – John Hilaire, G, Jr.; Isiah Gois, F, Sr.; Malik Gelinas, F, Sr.; Pape Fall, F; Daniel Saulsby, C, Sr.
KEY RESERVES: Lincoln – Austin Noel, F, Sr. Tolman – Alex Alvarez, G, Sr.; Hayson Ortiz, G, Jr.
OUTLOOK: Does Tolman have a chance in this one. Lincoln walloped the Tigers by 23 in the Cumberland holiday tournament, but Tolman kept it respectable in the Lions’ 62-52 win. Lincoln’s not changing its plans for this game. The offense is centered around Wayne McNamara and Camden DiChiara and if things get tight, get ready for McNamara to take over and get to the hoop. Defensively the Lions can be had – they’re not especially big or fast – by teams with Tolman’s athleticism, but they play so disciplined it more than makes up for it. Tolman might have to skip trying to play basketball in this one and gimmick up the defense, like putting a man on DiChiara, two on McNamara and sitting two in a zone and dare the Lions to win with the other three. The Tigers have to be patient and not lose their heads when Lincoln goes on a run. They have to turn it into a grind and try, as best they can, to do something really no one has done this season – put doubt in the Lions’ head.
RUEB’S PICK: Lincoln
2024 RIIL Girls Basketball Division II Championship Game
WHEN AND WHERE: Wednesday, 6 p.m., The AMP
LEAGUE RECORDS: Moses Brown 18-0, Pawtucket 16-2
PREVIOUS MATCHUP: Moses Brown hit the road and beat Pawtucket, 52-35, on Dec. 13
HOW THEY GOT HERE: In the quarterfinals, Moses Brown beat No. 8 Tiverton, 65-34 while Pawtucket beat No. 7 Cumberland, 57-37. In the semifinals, the Quakers took down No. 4 Mount St. Charles and the Raiders beat No. 3 Chariho, 58-40.
TOTAL TITLES: Moses Brown 2 (1 State, 1 Division II), Pawtucket 6 (1 State as Tolman, 1 Division II as Shea, 2 Division III as Tolman, 1 Division III as Shea, 1 Division III as Pawtucket)
LAST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE: Moses Brown lost to Pawtucket, 57-46, in the 2023 Division II championship game. Pawtucket beat North Smithfield, 48-40, in the 2022 Division III championship game.
LAST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP WIN: Moses Brown beat St. Raphael, 57-51, to win the 2016 Division II championship. Pawtucket beat North Smithfield, 48-40, to win the 2022 Division III championship.
HEAD COACHES: Moses Brown – Tamara Tardy. Pawtucket – Bunk Gonzalez
PROBABLE STARTERS: Moses Brown – Jaelynn Perez, G, So., G; Vivian Stone, G, Jr.; Hannah West, G, Sr.; Lauren Bousquet, F, So.; Addy Prescott, F, Sr. Pawtucket – Aryana Blanco, G, Sr.; Tiyara Gonzalez, G, So.; Armani Rivera, G, Sr.; Trinity Burk, F, Sr.; Kasyra Fernandes, F, Sr.
KEY RESERVES: Moses Brown – Ava Giardino, G, Sr.; Tess Holch, C, So.; Elise Kurtis, G, Jr.; Marielle Nassiff, G, Fr. Pawtucket – Azilyn Medina, G, So.; Taniyah Teemer, G, Sr.;
OUTLOOK: Since Moses Brown beat Pawtucket in its season opener, all its done is dominate Division II, reaffirming it should have moved up to D-I this season instead of trying to win a title to be the 16th best team in RI. Sophomore Lauren Bousquet was the best player in D-II and is the catalyst in this game. Her size, strength and athletic ability make her an impossible cover for most D-II schools. The Quakers have strong pieces around her – freshman Marielle Nassiff is a future star – but when push comes to shove, Bousquet can take over and ensure an MB win. What can Pawtucket do? For starters, it has to play smart. Turnovers cannot exist. Pawtucket wants to run, but it may be better suited to play halfcourt, go at Bousquet and see if they can get her in foul trouble. Armani Rivera and Tiyara Gonzalez have speed the Quakers’ backcourt can’t match so maybe the larger floor at The AMP gives them an advantage, but it can’t play out of control. MB feasts on mistakes and if Pawtucket makes any, it will be tough to win. Pawtucket needs to get out early, create some semblance in the Quakers’ huddle and then see if it can hang on. If there's one thing in Pawtucket's favor, it's that Moses Brown faltered in the title game after an undefeated season last year. Of course, that experience is also a big reason why the Quakers have no chance of letting it happen again.
THE PICK: Moses Brown
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Who's playing in the 2024 RIIL Division II Boys and Girls Basketball Championship
