Tshombe Lambert

EAST PROVIDENCE — City native and alum Tshombe Lambert has been recommended by district athletic director Gregg Amore to become the new head coach for the East Providence High School girls’ basketball program.

Amore made his selection known Wednesday, June 26.

If approved by the School Committee, which could come as soon as its next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 9, Lambert would take over the Townies in time for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

A new coach was needed following an initial request for a leave of absence by Russ Ferri at the start of the calendar year. Assistant athletic director and former EPHS boys’ freshman hoops coach Rob Traverse completed the 2018-19 season on the Townies’ bench. Just after the season was finished Amore said Ferri, whose tenure lasted a year-and-a-half, would not return.

Ferri stepped aside with EPHS winless at 0-7 in Division I league games and 2-9 overall at the time. The Townies eventually finished without a victory in their return to the D-I ranks at 0-18 and settled for a final record of 2-19. EPHS was realigned back up the state’s top tier following several successful seasons at the D-II level, including a record of 15-6 overall and spots in both the league and Open State tournaments during Ferri’s only full season of 2017-18.

Traverse opted not to take over the girls’ basketball job full time. He later announced his resignation after 20 years as the EPHS softball coach. However, he will continue to serve as an assistant to Amore and remains as an EPHS guidance counselor.

In selecting Lambert to take over the position, Amore noted his institutional knowledge, having attended EPHS, and of both his athletic prowess and experience as a coach.

“He is an EPHS grad, who garnered All-State honors in both football and basketball and went on to play football at Bryant University as a scholarship player,” Amore said. “He has been a successful girls AAU and middle school coach and we are excited to announce the hiring.”

Amore continued, “Tshombe is a born leader and motivator who is passionate, competitive and dedicated to leading our girls’ basketball program for years to come. We are thrilled to welcome him back home to the Townie athletic family where he was so successful as a student-athlete.”