The North Providence High School boy’s basketball team has officially entered the 2019-2020 season. Evan Gavlick, Alwyn Sousa, and Enzo Centracchio are the only returning varsity players. Timothy Walker, Quentin Sanders, Ryan O’ Connell, Marcio Evora, and Cory Johnny returned back to the program after leading the junior varsity team to playoffs last year. Pasquale Ferrario and Pierre Imad joined back into the program this year, after not playing in their junior year. To fill out the 12 man senior team, Ethan Paulo and Adrian Tavares will have their debuts for the cougar team. After the varsity’s rough 5-13 record last year, the team will look to improve their record in order to get 7 wins, which will grant the team a playoff spot for the first time since the 2015-16 season. All 12 players on the team are eager to make a playoff push this season considering this is the last time that they will play for North Providence High School. “All 12 players have to be all in to have a successful season and try to change the culture of the program.” Coach Taylor Rabbitt will be joined by new Assistant Coach Fernando Torres, who previously coached the La Salle boys basketball freshman team. The cougars had a good run in the summer league that was played at the Johnston Indoor Recreation Center. They had a 6-4 record, which led them into the playoffs. The first round match was against the Johnston Panthers, which resulted in a win for the cougars. The cougars then played the Smithfield Sentinels and lost by a score of 57-50. The team will look to carry on the success from the summer league into the regular season.