Ocean State Sidelines

It's the first Ocean State Sidelines podcast of 2023 as sports writer Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes Cayleigh Griffin to talk Providence College basketball. A 2014 graduate of PC, Griffin is currently in her seventh season covering the NBA and in the midst of her second stint chronicling the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The annual PC-URI contest is set for Saturday night at the Ryan Center (5 p.m.). Sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) break down the matchup in the latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast.

It's time to look back and look forward in the latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast as sports writer Brendan McGair (Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times) welcomes Malik Gavek, a member of the URI football team who hails from Cranston. Gavek joined the Rams as a walk-on in 2017 and eventually earned a scholarship. It's a story of perseverance where the reward demonstrates that hard work...

In the latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast, sportswriter Brendan McGair welcomes Bob Walsh, a long-time fixture on the Rhode Island college basketball scene. Walsh recently took a job as an assistant coach with Iona. Walsh looks back at his time with the Friars, his thoughts on Ed Cooley, what led him to take a job on a Gaels staff led by head coach Rick Pitino, and why caddying is...

The first Friday in November can mean only one thing - the start of the postseason march for RIIL football teams. Division II and III swing into action with quarterfinal-round games, but there are some noteworthy games in Division IV to keep an eye on. Sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) set the table as far as the postseason matchups...

The latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast welcomes Donovan Santoro, who supplied the Providence Friars with a verbal commitment last week. Santoro becomes the third member from the Class of 2023 to pledge to PC. He joins fellow Southern California Academy teammates Garwey Dual and Drew Fielder as part of Ed Cooley's latest recruiting haul.

In the latest episode of Ocean State Sidelines, sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) catches up with WPRI 12's Taylor Begley & Sam Knox. Suffering from a case of Zappe Fever? Time to give credit to Matt Patricia & Joe Judge? Besides discussing the Patriots, stock is put into the RIIL football scene. Plus, thoughts on Johnston native Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics open...

In the latest episode of Ocean State Sidelines, sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) talks with John Gillooly about his new book titled "Friday Night Thunderbolts." A retired sports scribe who covered R.I. high school sports for the Providence Journal for 50 years, Gillooly followed the Cranston East football team for an entire season (2018) and ultimately produced a book...

The final Friday in September and the first Saturday in October will feature a few non-league high school football matchups that offer plenty of intrigue (Woonsocket at Central, St Raphael at North Kingstown). Plus, sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) preview Saturday's Governor's Cup showdown between Brown & URI.

Sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) discuss a noticeable trend based off last week's RIIL high school football results and break down the Week 3 slate of games. 

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Drew Fielder, a four-star prospect from the Class of 2023 who supplied Ed Cooley's Providence Friars with a verbal commitment earlier this week. Fielder talks about his love of football while growing up in Idaho along with the person who helped change his viewpoint regarding basketball and the potential avenues it could open. Of cour...

One of the top Providence College basketball players in the Ed Cooley Era stops by for the latest episode of Ocean State Sidelines as sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes LaDontae Henton, who's gearing up for his second season as Special Assistant to the Head Coach. Henton looks back at his standout career with the Friars and also reflects on the similar traits be...

Bring on Thursday Night Lights! Four RIIL high school football games are on tap Thursday as sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan break down the games that will take place over three days. There's also a big-time college football game involving a pair of nationally ranked teams as URI hosts Delaware at Meade Stadium Saturday. 

We're now t-minus eight weeks until the start of the 2022-23 college basketball season with sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcoming Bryant University associate head coach Phil Martelli Jr. to the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. From the role his father played, to finding his way in the coaching circles, to forming a connection with Bryant head coach Jared Grasso, to...

A new R.I. high school football season is afoot and sports writers Will Geoghegan (The Independent) and Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) talk about the games that are on tap this week along with a few other additional pigskin-related matters.

Sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes Providence Friar basketball alum Emmitt Holt to the latest episode of the "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast. Holt looks back at his time with the Friars as he gears up for his latest professional stop that has seen him touch down in Brazil.

Sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes Providence College basketball assistant coach Ivan Thomas to the latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast. Thomas has been a member of the PC coaching staff since 2015 and a Friar assistant coach since 2016.

Sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes PC basketball alum Andrew Fonts to the latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast. Fonts spent the past five seasons as a preferred walk-on and was part of the Friars' memorable 2021-22 season.

Sportswriter Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) welcomes Garwey Dual, a 2023 guard prospect who supplied a verbal commitment to the Providence Friars last week, and Mike Saunders, Dual's AAU coach with the George Hill All-Indy program.

The latest episode of Ocean State Sidelines welcomes Bryant University newcomer Doug Edert, one of the stars of last year's NCAA Tournament. Get to know Edert as he looks back at his special season at Saint Peter's, what went into his decision to transfer to Bryant, and his thoughts on Name, Image, and Likeness.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Noah Locke, who will be joining the Providence Friars as a graduate transfer next season. Locke previously played at Florida and Louisville.

The latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast welcomes Clifton Moore, who is joining the Providence Friars as a graduate transfer next season. Moore opened his college career at Indiana (where he was teammates with former Friar Al Durham) before spending the past three seasons at La Salle (where he was teammates with current Friar Ed Croswell).

The latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast features Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) catching up with a pair of future Friars - Quante Berry & Jayden Pierre. Both are current high school seniors and will be joining Providence next season. 

Sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) get together to talk some college basketball, from the Friars getting set to tango with Kansas in the Sweet 16, to Archie Miller taking over as head coach at URI; putting a bow on memorable seasons for Bryant men & URI women.

Sportswriters Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) break down the news of URI parting ways with David Cox after four seasons. Plus, Bryant off to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I participant and PC gearing up for the Big East Tournament semifinals.