East Providence girls' hoopsters up win streak to seven

Townies defeat Mount St. Charles by 10

Townies guard Shaniah Hazard drives to the hoop for two points during their game against Mount St. Charles at home on Friday night.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Forward Julia Andrade fights for a rebound (center) with Amber Drainville closing (right).

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

The Townies celebrate after guard Shaniah Hazard sinks a jumper to bring East Providence within one point at the half.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Townies guard Shaniah Hazard (left) and forward Emma DaSilva fight for an offensive rebound.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Head coach Mike Solitro talks strategy with the team during a time out.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Emma DaSilva jumps after a loose ball.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jrq

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

EastBayRI.com · Friday, January 20, 2017 11:29 pm

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' basketball team continued its best start to a season in some seven years by winning its seventh consecutive Division II game with a 55-45 victory over visiting Mount St. Charles Friday night, Jan. 20, at Ramos Gym.

The Townies improved to 8-1 as they reached the mid-point of their league schedule with the win over the Mounties. E.P.'s run to open the season mirrors that of the 2009-10 squad, which finished with a 14-2 league record. The locals sat a half-game behind 9-1 Westerly for first place in the II-South standings.

Friday, the Townies had a tussle on their hands, trailing Mount 28-27 at the break. But E.P. finally grabbed hold of the game midway through the second half to keep their winning streak intact. EPHS head coach Mike Solitro said his team played better defense and attacked the basket more on offense in the final 16 minutes, helping the Townies to pull away.

Shaniah Hazard led all scorers, netting a night-best 20 points for the locals. Amber Drainville added 13 while Lily Conti had in nine. Emma DaSilva chipped in six and Courtney Dorr five.

East Providence hits the road for a pair of league games next week, January 24 at unbeaten and II-North leading Johnston (8-0) and January 26 at Woonsocket. Both contests tip at 7 p.m.

— Photos by Rich Dionne