Ocean State Sidelines

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. Our guest is Aiden Derkack, who became the first member of the high school Class of 2026 to verbally commit to the Providence College men’s basketball team on Wednesday morning. Derkack hails from New Jersey and is a top-50 recruit in his class.   As always, we’re sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.   PODCAST BREAKDOWN (8 min...

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. We’re taking a trip down memory lane as our guest is former PawSox/Red Sox pitcher Trevor Kelley. Originally from Barrington, Kelley attended PawSox games at McCoy Stadium before moving to North Carolina and enjoyed a full-circle moment when he took the mound at the ballpark that used to serve as the home of the Triple-A affilia...

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. Our guest is Duncan Powell, who became the latest college basketball player to commit to the Providence Friars via the transfer portal.   As always, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance PODCAST BREAKDOWN (14 minutes, 22 seconds) 1:10 – Recapping the decision to re-enter the transfer portal and saying yes to the...

We’re back with a freshman episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. Our guest is former Providence College basketball player A.J. Reeves, who recently wrapped up his second season in the NBA G League. A member of PC’s 2022 Big East regular-season title winner and Sweet 16 entry from the same year, Reeves talks about life as a pro, looks back his time with the Friars, and looks at the current...

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. We welcome Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports and three-year member of Providence College’s men’s basketball program. Cordella talks about his rise in the sports broadcasting industry and what were some of the factors that led to NBC getting involved in the Big East’s television rights package. The Foxboro native also reflec...

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Mount St. Charles President Alan Tenreiro. The arrival of the 2024-25 academic year meant the ushering in of a new era for Mountie athletics, as the Woonsocket-based Catholic school made the move to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Recently, Mount held a dedication ceremony for Sacred Heart Field, a multi-purpose turf s...

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. This episode’s guest is Kevin Randall, who spends his winters coaching boys basketball at Burrillville High School. Randall is also heavy into the sports card trading/selling world and experienced a viral moment last month when he sold cards to Tom Brady at a show in NYC. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (31 minutes, 1 second) 1:05 – Tracing t...

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Sharaud Curry, who scored over 1,600 points during his five seasons with the Providence College men’s basketball program (2005-10). After a 13-year pro career overseas, Curry has launched Worldwide Basketball Academy, a hoops school located in Pawtucket. As always, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.  PODCAST BREAKDOWN (20 minute...

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Jaylen Harrell, a Class of 2025 high school prospect joining Call/Times sportswriter Brendan McGair. Harrell supplied the Providence Friars with a verbal commitment earlier this summer. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (13 minutes, 33 seconds) 1:15 – On a personal level, how much has your life changed since committing to the Friars. 2:00 – With your recruiting pr...

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Christ Essandoko, who hopped out of the NCAA transfer portal last week and joined the PC Friars. Essandoko originally committed to Providence in high school before spending the past two seasons at St. Joseph's.   The interview was conducted by Call/Times sports writer Brendan McGair. The podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast features Call/Times sports writer Brendan McGair catching up with former Friar Ed Croswell, a member of the program's memorable 2022 squad that captured the Big East regular-season title and reached the Sweet 16. Presently, Croswell is in his first season playing professional basketball in Turkey.   PODCAST BREAKDOWN (29 minutes, 41 seconds):...

By BRENDAN McGAIR Call/Times Sports writer The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Dave Goucher, a graduate of Tolman High and current TV play-by-play announcer for the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. Before heading out west, Goucher was the longtime radio voice of the Boston Bruins and also served in the same capacity with the Providence Bruins.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast - sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance - welcomes Cumberland native Zach Fogell, who's currently down in Fort Myers, Fla. experiencing his first spring training as a member of the Red Sox organization. Hear from the lefthanded pitcher about the road he's traveled to get to this point in his baseball journey. 

The latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast makes the turn in the direction of the prep school ranks. Sports writer Brendan McGair (Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times) welcomes Joseph "Ladi" Odugbela, who was recently named boys' basketball head coach at Mount St. Charles, as the Woonsocket-based Catholic school prepares to transition its sports programs to the NEPSAC beginning with the 2024-25 school...

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Kayla Baptista, a Smithfield native who is entering her third season as a player development coach with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Hear from Baptista about being part of the best MLB club in 2024 and why coaching means a great deal to her.   This podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines Podcast coincides with the Big East basketball opener between Providence and Marquette. Joining Ca//Times Sports Writer Brendan McGair on the podcast is Ben Steele, who covers Marquette hoops for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ben gives his thoughts on Marquette making a strong statement during non-conference play, how Tyler Kolek has grown as a pla...

Breaking down the four RIIL Super Bowls that will be taking place Saturday (11/18) and Sunday (11/19) are sports writers Brendan McGair (Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent Emeritus). Schedule of Games: Saturday, November 18 Noon - Division II, Barrington vs. Cumberland 3 p.m. - Division III, Middletown vs. West Warwick 6 p.m. - Division IV, Davies Tech vs. West Wa...

It's time to gear up for the RIIL football playoff semifinals, which are being contested over three days. Sports writers Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent Sports Editor Emeritus) talk about the eight matchups that are on the docket.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Nicole Menner, who covers the New England Patriots for NBC10. Nicole talks about returning home to R.I. after previously working in Green Bay where she covered the Packers. Plus, Nicole and sports writer Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) talk about the current state of the Pats, plus Nicole weighs in on Jrue Holiday jo...

It's the final weekend in September and sports writers Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) size up the Friday-Saturday gridiron slate. Plus, how do Division I teams approach their non-leaguers against D-II teams?

It's Week 3 of the RIIL high school football season and Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) Will Geoghegan (Sports Editor Emeritus of The Independent) talk about some of the big games on the docket this week plus the need for Thursday night football in response to the referee shortage.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast features sports writer Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes Ryan Mela, who supplied Kim English's Providence Friars with a verbal commitment earlier this month. Get to know the Massachusetts product who has earned high marks for his ability to get to the basket.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Richard Barron, who is officially signed, sealed & delivered to join new head coach Kim English and the Providence Friars next season. Get to know the Chicago product who prides himself in being versatile on both ends of the court.

It's been a busy stretch with respect to the Providence Friars. The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes one of the program's newcomers as guard Justyn Fernandez talks about spending the weekend at his soon-to-be school as well as his relationship with new PC head coach Kim English. 

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast features not one but two guests who come next fall will be on the same college football sideline. Welcome St. Raphael senior Moses Meus and Cumberland High senior Patrick Conserve as both talk about their respective recruiting journeys and why each one ultimately chose the University of Rhode Island.