Coventry Varsity Sports: 2023 Winter Season Preview

COVENTRY, RI  — Local high school hockey and basketball teams kick off their respective seasons beginning next week  — here’s a preview of what’s coming up in Coventry varsity sports, as reported by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

Girls hockey:

Co-op squad defends 2022 title

After winning the state title in a double-overtime victory over LaSalle Academy on March 18, the Smithfield/Coventry/Moses Brown co-op hockey team looks to defend its title in Division 1. Moses Brown junior Quinn Faria scored the game winner at 1:25 of the second OT period in the championship game against the Rams, who went into the contest undefeated. The Sentinels compiled a 10-2-2 record during the 2022-23 season, including a six-game win streak.

Up next: The Sentinels host Narragansett at Smithfield Ice Rink on Dec. 8.

Boys hockey:

Oakers look to improve

Coventry heads into the new season aiming to improve on it 5-11-1 record from 2022-23, finishing ninth in Division 2. The Oakers did have a few bright spots, including two wins over Mt. Hope by a combined 17-7 and a 6-4 win over St. Raphael Academy.

Next up: Coventry hosts Ponaganset on Dec. 9.

Girls basketball:

Coventry seeks return to postseason

The Coventry girls basketball team returns to the hardwood looking for a path back to the Division 2 postseason after finishing just outside the playoff picture last year. The 2021-22 squad put together a 14-10 overall record, good for the eight-seed in the championship tournament, and fell to top seed East Providence in the first round. West Warwick later knocked the Townies out in the semifinal round.

Next up: Coventry travels to Exeter-West Greenwich on Dec. 8.

Boys basketball:

Can Oakers maintain the good home record?

Although Coventry didn’t qualify for the Division 2 playoffs last year, the Oakers did compile an impressive 7-3 home record and went 2-0 in neutral site games, giving the basketball squad a clear advantage in non-road matchups.

Next up: The Oakers visit Rogers High School in Newport to face the Vikings on Dec. 14.

Want to contribute photos, video, or recaps of Coventry varsity sports? Contact Editor Joe Hutnak, and use “Coventry Varsity Sports” in your subject line.