Rhode Island
What an amazing Saturday of high school championship action across RI! Here’s what to know

Saturday was a day for the record books — many times over.
High school championships were decided on the track, softball diamond, lacrosse field and tennis court, and The Providence Journal’s award-winning Sports staff — writers Bill Koch, Eric Rueb and Jacob Rousseau, photographers Kris Craig and David Delpoio, and freelancers Will Geoghegan and Emma Marion — was everywhere.
So if you missed the history that was made across Rhode Island on a pristine spring Saturday, don’t sweat it. We’ve got you covered.
Here’s a look at one of the busiest days of the high school sports calendar:
BOYS LACROSSE
∎In Division I, the La Salle Rams did was the La Salle Rams do — win boys lacrosse titles. This one marked the 12th straight championship for La Salle, who stormed to a 19-1 final over Moses Brown at Stevenson Field at Brown University. The Rams scored the most goals in a state championship game and had the largest margin of victory in the season’s final game. The Rams had tallied 15 goals, the previous high, in 2017 and 2022.
∎In Division II, the Prout Crusaders grabbed some redemption, as most of the lacrosse players were on the hockey team that still tasted the one-goal, double-overtime Frozen Four defeat this winter. But on Saturday afternoon at Brown, Prout proved its championship pedigree, beating Pilgrim, 13-8, for the program’s fifth overall Rhode Island Interscholastic League crown.
∎Division III has gone to the Dogs … again. Westerly’s Bulldogs captured their second consecutive Rhode Island Interscholastic League title by besting Smithfield, 8-6. Westerly goalkeeper Ryder Casady described it this way: “It’s been a roller coaster this year of highs and lows. But overall, we put it together and the feeling is just amazing to go back-to-back.”
∎North Smithfield was playing with fire — tempting the fates by having championship hats ready to go. But after heartbreaking losses in 2021 and 2022, nothing was going to stop these Northmen from finishing the job. No. 1 North Smithfield (16-1) built its advantage in the third quarter and weathered second-seeded Lincoln’s late push for a 5-3 triumph in the Division IV championship.
BOYS TENNIS
∎The lights went out at Slater Park, but it was the Barrington duo of Garrett Meehan and Justin Kuo who turned the lights out on La Salle’s three-year title streak in Division I. It was the third straight season that the Eagles and Rams battled for the state title. This time, undefeated Barrington finished the job, with the No. 3 doubles team winning the final points.
∎The crowd had shifted over to watch East Greenwich’s David Levy play North Kingstown’s Owen Tegan. What’s already been an incredible debut season for Levy got better Saturday. Levy came out strong in the first set, looked ready to roll in the second but had to withstand an impressive comeback from Tegan before grabbing the win, giving East Greenwich a 4-3 win and the Division II title.
∎Finishing the year unbeaten and hoisting the championship trophy is no easy feat. But North Smithfield did just that — in the same way the Northmen won every match this season, by relying on every person in the ladder. On Saturday, North Smithfield completed a 4-0 win over Cranston East and put the finishing touch on the Northmen’s undefeated championship season.
GIRLS TRACK
Providence’s Conley stadium saw records being smashed and helping to lead the way to an outdoor track team title were West Warwick sisters Lisa Raye and Xenia Raye. The Wizards totaled 76 points, bettering runner-up Cranston West’s total of 59 and adding to what is becoming a crowded shelf of accolades. Lisa Raye set new state marks in three events and collected four gold medals while Xenia Raye set a new meet record while capturing the 400 meters.
BOYS TRACK
Barrington’s roots in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League date to the league’s founding in the 1930s. But Saturday was a first for Eagles — a boys outdoor track state championship. While Bishop Hendricken and La Salle offered plenty of fight, the Eagles were left standing tall at Conley Stadium — three gold medals, nine other top-3 finishes and 120 team points.
SOFTBALL
∎How’s this for a day’s work: Cranston East freshman pitcher Isabella Sousa struck out 16 Pawtucket batters, her defense made just one error behind her, and in the fifth inning, after failing to get a bunt down, Sousa smashed a grand slam that had the undefeated Thunderbolts dancing their way to a 10-1 victory at Rhode Island College and the school’s first-ever Division III fastpitch softball championship.
∎There were only two starters back from last year’s title-winning Central Falls team, but it didn’t take long for Chloe Acosta and Arghennis Disla and their classmates at Blackstone Valley Prep to mesh with their new co-op teammates. This special season ended with a 12-8 comeback victory over the Providence co-op of Times 2 Academy/Paul Cuffee and a Division IV title. Said coach Selena Martinez: “We really built it. It’s a great achievement to go back-to-back. It was basically a brand new team.”
MORE ON TAP
Today, four girls lacrosse championships will be decided at Brown University:
Division IV: Tiverton vs. North Smithfield, noon
Division III: Narragansett vs. Westerly, 2 p.m.
Division II: Chariho vs. North Kingstown, 4 p.m.
Division I: La Salle vs. Moses Brown, 6 p.m.

Rhode Island
Providence man arrested in connection to narcotics and firearms investigation | ABC6

“);
$spagination = flexSlider.find(“.spagination”);
SPagination.Init($spagination.get( 0 ), {
size: slide_obj.count, // pages size
page: 1, // selected page
step: 3, // pages before and after current
cb: function(p){
flexSlider.flexAnimate(p-1, true);
}
});
}
}
}
function gtx_gallery_slide_before(slide_obj){
var slide=slide_obj.animatingTo;
$active_slide=$all_slides.eq(slide) ;
slideshow_ad_loaded = false;
var current_html = $active_slide.children(“.gtx-ad-container”).html();
if (current_html) {$active_slide.children(“.gtx-ad-container”).html(current_html.trim())}
gtx_track_slide( slide_obj );
changeURL(parseInt($active_slide.attr(“data-attachment_id”)));
//THUMBS SYNC – PAGINATED THUMBNAIL NAVIGATION
if($thumbs!==”” && navigation == “paginated_thumbs”){
var right_item=$slider.find(“.slides li[data-i=”+(slide +1 )+”]”).attr(“data-i-only-pics”)
if( right_item!= “”){
$thumbs.find(“li.gtx-thumb-img”).removeClass(“flex-active-slide”);
$thumbs.find(“li.gtx-thumb-img[data-i=”+(slide +1 )+”]”).addClass(“flex-active-slide”);
$page=$thumbs.find(“.slides>li”).has(“li[data-i=”+(slide +1 )+”]”);
$thumbs.flexAnimate($page.index(), true);
}
}
}
function gtx_gallery_slide_after(slide_obj){
var slide=slide_obj.animatingTo;
$active_slide=$all_slides.eq(slide) ;
if($active_slide.hasClass(“gtx-ad-slide”)==1){
if ($active_slide.find(‘iframe’).length === 1) {
$active_slide.find(‘iframe’)[0].remove();
}
$slider.delay(100).queue(function(){
$(this).addClass(“gtx-gallery-loading”).dequeue();
});
$ad_container=$active_slide.children(“.gtx-ad-container”).first();
if ($($ad_container).html().length li[data-i=”+(slide +1 )+”]”).attr(“data-i-only-pics”)
if( right_item!= “”){
$thumbs.find(“li.gtx-thumb-img”).removeClass(“flex-active-slide”);
$thumbs.find(“li.gtx-thumb-img”).eq(right_item -1 ).addClass(“flex-active-slide”);
$thumbs.flexAnimate(right_item-1, true);
}
}
if(typeof(googletag) != “undefined” && googletag !== null && googletag.pubads){
// Refresh ads within view
var tmp_now=new Date().getTime();
var last_refresh_diff= tmp_now – last_ad_refresh;
if(last_refresh_diff > 1000){
reset_ads_and_refresh();
last_ad_refresh=tmp_now;
}
}
//LAZY LOAD
range=5;
var $slides_to_hanle=$all_slides.slice(slide, slide + range +1);
if(slide – range >= 0){
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_slides.slice(slide – range, slide ));
}else{
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_slides.slice(0, range ));
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_slides.slice(range * -1 ));
}
if(slide + range >= $all_slides.size()){
//handle first slides
$slides_to_hanle= $.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_slides.slice(0,range));
}
$slides_to_hanle.find(“.gtx-image-container[data-background]”).each(function () {
var src = $(this).attr(“data-background”);
$(this).css(“background-image”, “url(“+src+”)”).removeAttr(“data-background”);
});
adjustNavHeight();
if( typeof SPagination !== “undefined” && flexSlider.find(“.spagination”).length>0 ){
if(SPagination.page != slide+1){
SPagination.page = slide + 1;
SPagination.Start();
}
}
}
function reset_ads_and_refresh(){
if(!advanced_ad_refresh){
// if option is not enabled, refresh all ads, minus out of page ads
if(ads_to_refresh.length > 0){
googletag.pubads().refresh(ads_to_refresh);
}
return;
}
if(ads_to_refresh.length == 0){
return;
}
var newAds = [];
var fullAdsToRefresh = [];
for(var i = 0; i wTop && slot.tn_positionY 8){
gtx_gallery_thumbs_set_backwards()
}
}
function gtx_gallery_thumbs_after(slide_obj){
if(slide_obj.count > 8){
gtx_gallery_thumbs_set_backwards()
}
}
function gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_start(slide_obj){
gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_lazy();
if(false && slide_obj.count > 8){
$thumbs.find(“.flex-control-nav.flex-control-paging”).removeClass(“flex-control-paging”).addClass(“g-pagination”);
}
if(slide_obj.count > 8){
$thumbs.find(“.flex-control-nav.flex-control-paging”).hide().after(“”);
$pagination = $thumbs.find(“.spagination”);
SPagination.Init($pagination.get( 0 ), {
size: slide_obj.count, // pages size
page: 1, // selected page
step: 3, // pages before and after current
cb: function(p){
$thumbs.flexAnimate(p-1, true);
}
});
}
}
function gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_before(slide_obj){
var slide=(typeof slide_obj == “object” && slide_obj.animatingTo ? slide_obj.animatingTo : 0);
gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_lazy(slide_obj);
}
function gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_after(slide_obj){
var slide=(typeof slide_obj == “object” && slide_obj.animatingTo ? slide_obj.animatingTo : 0);
//THUMBS SYNC – Go to first slide of this batch
if($thumbs!==”” && navigation == “paginated_thumbs”){
var $active_slide=$slider.find(“.slides>li.flex-active-slide”);
var $active_thumb_page=$thumbs.find(“.slides>li.flex-active-slide”);
//Check if the current slide is within this thumb batch
if(!$active_thumb_page.find(“li[data-i=”+$active_slide.attr(“data-i”)+”]”).size()){
first_thumb=$active_thumb_page.find(“li”).first().attr(“data-i”);
flexSlider.flexAnimate(first_thumb – 1, true);
}
}
if( typeof SPagination !== “undefined” && $thumbs.find(“.spagination”).length>0 ){
if(SPagination.page != slide+1){
SPagination.page = slide + 1;
SPagination.Start();
}
}
}
function gtx_gallery_paginated_thumbs_lazy(slide_obj){
var slide=(typeof slide_obj == “object” && slide_obj.animatingTo ? slide_obj.animatingTo : 0);
//LAZY LOAD THUMBS
if($all_thumbs!==”” && navigation == “paginated_thumbs”){
range=1;
var $slides_to_hanle=$all_thumbs.slice(slide, slide + range + 1);
if(slide – range >= 0){
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_thumbs.slice(slide – range, slide ));
}else{
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_thumbs.slice(0, range ));
$slides_to_hanle=$.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_thumbs.slice(range * -1 ));
}
if(slide + range >= $all_thumbs.size()){
//handle first slides
$slides_to_hanle= $.merge($slides_to_hanle, $all_thumbs.slice(0,range));
}
$slides_to_hanle.each(function () {
$(this).find(“img[lazy-src]”).each(function () {
var src = $(this).attr(“lazy-src”);
if(!src) return;
$(this).attr(“src”,src).removeAttr(“lazy-src”);
$thumbs.find(“img[lazy-src=””+src+””]”).attr(“src”,src).removeAttr(“lazy-src”);
});
});
}
}
function adjustNavHeight(){
imageHeight = flexSlider.find(“.gtx-slide-img.flex-active-slide .gtx-image-container”).outerHeight();
if(imageHeight > 0){
flexSlider.find(“.flex-prev,.flex-next”).css(“top”,Math.round(imageHeight/2));
}
}
var nextSlotId = 1;
function generateNextSlotName() {
var id = nextSlotId++;
return “adslot_” + id+”_”+Math.floor( Date.now() / 1000 );
}
function addAdInto(selector,options) {
try{
gtx_gallery_enable_dfp();
}catch(err) {
}
var slide=options.slide || -1;
var slotName = generateNextSlotName();
var ad_index = 0;
// Create a div for the slot
var slotDiv = document.createElement(‘div’);
slotDiv.id = slotName; // Id must be the same as slotName
$( selector ).append( slotDiv );
try{
ad_index=$( selector ).closest(“.gtx-ad-slide”).attr(“data-i-only-ads”);
}catch(err) {
}
// Define the slot itself, call display() to
// register the div and refresh() to fetch ad.
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
slideshow_ad_loaded = true;
adslots[slotName] = googletag.defineSlot(‘/132916964,22666483375/abc6.com/news’, [300, 250], slotName)
.addService(googletag.pubads())
.setTargeting(“placement”, “gallery”)
.setTargeting(“slide”, slide)
.setTargeting(“post”, ‘5103141’)
.setTargeting(“category”, ‘[“news”,”providence”,”rhode-island”]’)
.setTargeting(“galleryAdIndex”, ad_index);
googletag.display(slotName);
googletag.sizeMapping().addSize( [0,0], [[300,250]])
googletag.pubads().refresh([adslots[slotName]]);
});
}
gtx_gallery_syncHash = function(path){
pic = “”;
re = /pic/?([0-9]+)/?$/i;
if(!path && window.location.hash && window.location.hash.match(re)) path = window.location.hash;
if(!path && window.location.pathname && window.location.pathname.match(re)) path = window.location.pathname;
if(path){
matchslide = path.match(re);
if(matchslide && matchslide[1]>0){
pic = parseInt(matchslide[1]);
}
if(!isNaN(pic) && pic > 0){
slide=get_slide_by_attachment_id(pic);
if(slide>0){
avoid_next_pageview = true;
flexSlider.flexAnimate(slide – 1, true);
}
}
}else{
gtx_track_slide( )
}
}
function debounce(func, wait, immediate) {
var timeout;
return function() {
var context = this, args = arguments;
var later = function() {
timeout = null;
if (!immediate) func.apply(context, args);
};
var callNow = immediate && !timeout;
clearTimeout(timeout);
timeout = setTimeout(later, wait);
if (callNow) func.apply(context, args);
};
};
// delay the url state replacement to avoid overload
// RAYOS-271
var efficientlyReplaceState = debounce(function(title, path){
window.history.replaceState({}, title, path);
}, 1250)
function changeURL(pic){
basepath = window.location.pathname.replace(//pic/?([0-9]+)/?$/i,”/”);
if(isNaN(pic)) return;
path = basepath + “pic/”+pic+”/”;
title = “Pic “+pic;
if (typeof(window.history.replaceState) == “function”) {
efficientlyReplaceState(title, path)
} else {
window.location.hash = path;
}
}
function get_slide_by_attachment_id(id){
var slide=$slider.find(“.slides li[data-attachment_id=”+id+”]”).attr(“data-i”);
return parseInt(slide, 10);
}
function gtx_track_slide( slide_obj ){
if(slide_obj){
var slide = slide_obj.animatingTo;
}else{
var slide = 0;
}
$active_slide=$all_slides.eq(slide) ;
if(!avoid_next_pageview){
try{
var loc = location.pathname + “#slide” + (parseInt(slide) + 1);
if (rayos_gtm_gallery_pageviews) {
// Add gallery navigation info to dataLayer
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
window.dataLayer.push({
‘event’: ‘rayos_virtual_pageview’,
‘location’ : loc
});
}
// Legacy support for GA tracking
ga(“send”, “pageview”, loc);
if (ga.getByName(“gtxcelTracker”)) {
ga(“gtxcelTracker.send”, “pageview”, loc);
}
}catch(err){
}
}
avoid_next_pageview = false;
}
//Add a callback on ad render
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.pubads().addEventListener(‘slotRenderEnded’, function(event) {
var slotName=event.slot.getSlotElementId();
if(typeof adslots[slotName] !==”undefined” && !event.isEmpty){
$slider.clearQueue();
$slider.removeClass(“gtx-gallery-loading”);
}
});
});
jQuery(“#gtx-gallery-slider-5103141”).flexslider({
animation: “slide”,
pauseOnHover: true,
prevText: “”,
nextText: “”,
slideshow: false,
controlNav: true,
init: gtx_gallery_slide_init,
start: gtx_gallery_slide_start,
before: gtx_gallery_slide_before,
after: gtx_gallery_slide_after
});
if(mobile_mode){
$slider.find(“.flex-direction-nav”).hide();
}
});
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said a Providence man was arrested after police allegedly discovered multiple narcotics and a gun inside two residences on Sept. 23.
47-year-old Joel Garcia was charged with possession with the intent to deliver over 1 kilogram of fentanyl, possession with the intent to deliver over 1 kilogram of cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver one ounce to one kilogram of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and distribution of a controlled substance in a school zone.
According to RISP, police received court-authorized search warrants for two residences in Providence in connection to a narcotics and firearms investigation.
Inside an apartment on Dresser Street, police allegedly seized 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 2.3 kilograms of cocaine, and 147 grams of methamphetamine.
Police also searched Garcia’s residence on Portland Street and allegedly seized one fully loaded pistol.
According to police, Garcia had allegedly used the apartment on Dresser Street to “store, package, and distribute large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.”
Garcia was arrested and charged.
RISP, Providence police, Cranston police, North Providence police, Johnston police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program assisted in the investigation.
Rhode Island
The Ocean State’s Bond With Robert Redford

Millions have been mourning the death of a cinematic icon over the last week with the passing of Robert Redford at age 89.
The award-winning actor is arguably one of the most famous of all time. With over 70 films to his credit on screen and nine he directed throughout his career, Redford’s work in cinema stands out as some of the greatest.
Though only two of Redford’s movies were ever filmed in Rhode Island, the Oscar-winning actor has a deep connection with the Ocean State.
Redford’s Family Roots Near Rhode Island
Though no Redfords actually lived in Rhode Island, Robert’s family was longtime residents of Stonington, CT and several members were born in nearby Westerly, RI.
READ MORE: ‘Sopranos’ Star Officially Becomes a Rhode Island Resident
Throughout Robert Redford’s childhood there were visits to his grandparents in Stonington, where his grandfather worked as a milkman.
Presumably this time in Stonington meant crossing the state line into Westerly on more than one occasion in his youth and perhaps led to his love of the Rhode Island seaside in later years.
Filming The Great Gatsby in Newport
During his career, Redford came to Newport in the 1970s to film The Great Gatsby at the historic Rosecliff Mansion. Decades later he returned to Rhode Island with the science fiction film The Discovery and even wrote a thank you letter to Newport, praising their preservation efforts in the city.
READ MORE: HGTV Says You Need to Drive This Road in Newport
Though when he did ultimately settle in New England, Redford chose Weston, CT as his home for almost two decades. He purchased a home not too far from his close friend and fellow actor, Paul Newman.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Rhode Island Honors Robert Redford
Rhode Island never forgot its ties to the beloved actor however. In 2002 Redford was asked to be the commencement speaker at Brown University and that same year Trinity Repertory Company awarded him a Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
Just one of the many lifetime achievement awards Robert Redford would go on to accumulate during his illustrious career.
20 Stars Who Hail From Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation, but it has been home to many celebrities. Though some have moved here, filmed here or attended school here, only a handful were actually born here. These are those celebrities.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Academy Award and Golden Globe Winners from Massachusetts
These Massachusetts natives have taken home some of Hollywood’s top honors.
Gallery Credit: Michaela Johnson
30 Things To Do in Newport Any Time of Year
Newport has always been seen as a summer destination. Wealthy New Yorkers used to escape the city in the hotter months for this picturesque seaside spot and the label as a summer vacation destination began.
There are, however, plenty of things to do in this historic town in any season and we’ve found a few that you may want to try the next time you head to Newport.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | Sports | VIDEO: Providence’s Lassiter Scores 44-Yard TD in Vanderbilt’s Upset Over #11 South Carolina

Sunday, September 14, 2025
Zell Lassiter
PHOTO: Via Vanderbilt
Providence’s Jamezell Lassiter had a big play on a huge stage on Saturday when Vanderbilt football upset #11 South Carolina. SEE 7:25 MARK.
Lassiter, who played for the Edgewood Eagles and the Mount Hope Cowboys and attended the San Miguel School in Providence, smoked the Gamecocks on a 44-yard touchdown score.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE — SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Vanderbilt won 31-7 over No. 11 South Carolina, snapping a 16-game losing streak between the two programs.
Zell Lassiter PHOTO: Vanderbilt Athletics
In 2024, GoLocal sports columnist Robert McMahon wrote about Lassiter’s journey to the top Division I program:
His athletic skills impressed his San Miguel classmates. Flag football, soccer, basketball—Jamezell could do it all. He was a natural athlete.
But the transformation of Zell, as he likes to be called, happened in the San Miguel classroom.
READ MORE HERE
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
-
Finance6 days ago
Reimagining Finance: Derek Kudsee on Coda’s AI-Powered Future
-
World1 week ago
Russian jets enter Estonia's airspace in latest test for NATO
-
North Dakota6 days ago
Board approves Brent Sanford as new ‘commissioner’ of North Dakota University System
-
World5 days ago
Syria’s new president takes center stage at UNGA as concerns linger over terrorist past
-
Culture5 days ago
Test Your Memory of These Classic Books for Young Readers
-
Crypto6 days ago
EU Enforcers Arrest 5 Over €100M Cryptocurrency Scam – Law360
-
Technology5 days ago
These earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
-
Crypto5 days ago
Texas brothers charged in cryptocurrency kidnapping, robbery in MN