Another season of Barrington Middle School basketball, for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, is underway, and like last year, each squad has high hopes of winning a state championship.

Last year's teams reach state finals.

Girls’ coach Mike Topazio and boys’ boss, Bill St. Vincent, say their teams know what’s at stake and are playing the type of basketball, at least early-on, that should take them a long way this season.

"We pretty much have a new team,” said Coach Topazio, “but it’s the same script as last year. We need a lot of work. The kids are still learning. But, our goal, like it’s always been, is to win a state title.”

Turning back the clock late last season, the Lady Eagles’ campaign ended with a disappointing 42-36 overtime loss to perennial power Curtis Corner of South Kingstown in the state championship final. The Eagles finished with a 19-1 overall record including a perfect 16-0 mark in the Eastern Division.

Returning this season is top scorer Grace Ceseretti, a seventh-grader who is currently leading the team in scoring and rebounding.

“Grace has a lot of potential and is a solid all-around player,” said Coach Topazio, now in his fifth year as leader of the Lady Eagles.

Also showing a great deal of promise is eighth-grader Lea Rouleau, who’s averaging around eight points per game.

Other eighth grade starters include Leila Beers and Nina Gibbons, along with seventh-grader Hailey Walter. Seventh-graders Sophia Richardson and Jane Small are the top subs off the bench.

Also on the team this year are Sarah Jageler, Lilliana Ingham, Chloe Rouleau, Katie McCarty, Ali Jarrett, Maddie Heinemann, Helen Jensen, Mary Ann Lamb, Caroline McConaghy, and Maeve Murphy.

Coach Topazio’s assistant coach, Corey Aguiar, has been with the program now for three years, and says being around his former head coach, whom he played for at Mt. Hope High School, is a real treat.

“Mike’s always been a good coach,” he said. “I’ve learned a great deal from him. Plus, I love being around these kids here in Barrington. They’re very coachable.”

Portsmouth figures to be one of the top teams in the East Division, which also includes Thompson, Bay View, Tiverton, Kickemuit, Jamestown and Gaudet School.

As for the Barrington Middle School boys, who finished with a perfect 16-0 regular season record a year ago, the playoffs ended with a bitter 43-41 loss to Narragansett as Will Rywolt’s shot fell one-half inch short in the state championship game.

Coach St. Vincent, now in his fourth season at the helm, is in a rebuilding stage at the moment.

“Only four kids on the team return from last year,” he noted, “but, we do have some talent.”

Heading the cast are eighth-graders Cole Reed and Mike Raffa, both double-digit scorers who have a great feel for the game. Cole is also the top rebounder.

“He’s a real good player,” said the coach, “and Mike Raffa is a great shooter.”

Other top players include eighth grade starters Jason Anderson and Ben Proulx, and seventh-grader Graham Vatter. Top substitutes include eighth-grader Connor Sullivan and seventh-grader Ethan Coutu.

Rounding out the roster are Mark Bernardo, Declan Cooke, Brigham Dunphy, Quinn Gaffney, Andrew Jameison, Luke Wilcox, Jack Abadi, James Anderson, Ethan Hines, Sean Bonneau and Matthew Raffa.

Assistant coach is Michael Raffa Jr., who has been with the program for a number of years and is well-respected in basketball circles around the state. He was an assistant men's basketball coach (under his dad, Michael Raffa) at Salve Regina from 1993 to 1999, and then became an assistant coach under Tom Sienkiewicz at Roger Williams University from 1999 to 2002. He’s currently coaching the eighth grade (fifth year with the group) Barrington travel team, and assisting the sixth grade team.

“Most of these kids on the team are basketball oriented,” Coach St. Vincent said. “They play the game 24-7. They really know their stuff.”

Like the girls’ team, the Barrington boys’ schedule includes every East Division opponent, with the exception of Bay View Academy.