Meet the 2023 Providence Journal Independent Schools All-State Team
The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2023 Independent Schools All-States Team, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. The Providence Journal has been naming All-State teams for more than 80 years to recognize and celebrate the top student-athletes across Rhode Island. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determine the first and second team members. The All-State teams are also posted on the High School Sports Awards page on providence journal.com/sports.
All first-team members were nominees for Player of the Year in that sport, and winners were announced at the High School Sports Awards show held last month at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, featuring ex-Patriots safety Devin McCourty.
The Providence Journal Independent Schools Player of the Year is Sadie Martiesian, of the Wheeler School.
Emmanuel Beldeh
Rocky Hill, Senior
Boys Basketball
The Providence native was a constant in the Mariners’ lineup this winter. His play on the court earned him SENE Player of the Year honors and an All-League selection from the NEPSAC. Beldeh will continue his playing career next winter at Rhode Island College.
Anthony DeThomas
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Boys Basketball
The junior from Narragansett continued his impressive growth under coach Mike Hart and turned into a reliable guard for the Saints. DeThomas led St. Andrew’s in assists this season and was one of the top defenders in the NEPSAC, setting him up for a big senior season.
Thomas Franke
Providence Country Day, Senior
Boys Golf
The top player for the Knights, Franke closed out his high school career with another tremendous season. Franke picked up All-SENE honors for the second straight season and was named Providence Country Day’s team Most Valuable Player.
Blake Fuller
Providence Country Day, Senior
Baseball
The Knights’ captain embodied the heart and soul of the team this spring and did whatever was needed to help them succeed. Fuller pitched, played shortstop and outfield and his play earned him a spot as a member of the All-NEPSAC team this year.
Kian Garcia
Rocky Hill, Freshman
Boys Lacrosse
Only a freshman, Garcia hardly looked in on the field for the Mariners. Whether at attack or in the midfield, Garcia was an offensive weapon and earned himself First Team All-League honors from the SENE and a spot on the NEPSAC All-League team.
Will Guilette
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Boys Lacrosse
Guillette ended his career for the Saints in terrific fashion. His play helped the team win the SENE Championship and earn Guillette SENE Player of the Year honors. He earned All-SENE honors, All-New England honors and leaves St. Andrew’s as the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Jami Hill
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball
The former South Kingstown All-State girls basketball star continued to have success at St. Andrew’s, dominating on both the soccer field and the hardwood. After a successful final season for the Saints, she’ll take her hoop game to the College of Charleston.
Maysen Hill
St. Andrew’s, Sophomore
Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball
Hill, the younger sister of fellow All-Stater Jami, took her game to the next level as a sophomore. She was second on the girls soccer team in goals and was a star on the basketball court. She’s got two seasons left but already holds a few offers from Division I women’s basketball programs.
Cadence Johnson
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Girls Basketball
The dominant big from Dartmouth, Mass., was a force again in her final season for the Saints. She led St. Andrew’s in rebounding this winter and earned All-New England honors. She’ll take her game to the Division I level and will play at Merrimack this winter.
Brady Jones
Providence Country Day, Sophomore
Cross Country
Jones was terrific in his freshman campaign and was miles away from any sophomore slump. He was the anchor for the Knights, helping the team win their fourth straight SENE title and earned Runner of the Year honors.
Koray Kokturk
Rocky Hill, Sophomore
Boys Tennis
The Coventry native split time between singles and doubles this spring and all he did was win, losng one match the entire season. Kokturk earned First Team All-League honors from the SENE and was a NEPSAC all-league honorable mention.
Sophia Mahar
Rocky Hill, Sophomore
Girls Basketball
The former South Kingstown star had a tremendous sophomore season, averaging 16.8 points per game to go with 6.4 rebounds per game. She was a First Team selection in the SENE and earned All-League honors from the NEPSAC.
Wheeler, Junior
Sadie Martiesian
Girls Lacrosse
Martiesian’s been an elite scorer since her freshman season, earning Second Team All-State Honors as a freshman and First Team as a sophomore. Wheeler’s move to the NEPSAC didn’t stop Martiesian this spring, as she scored a program record 116 goals this season. Martiesian, who led the Wheeler girls soccer team in scoring and is the floor general for the basketball team, has one year left at Wheeler before heading to Lafayette, where she’ll play lacrosse.
Thalia Shepard
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Girls basketball
Shepard has been a star since arriving in Barrington and nothing changed this winter. The senior from Boston was the team’s top scorer and passer and dominated on the defensive end. She’ll play D-I hoops next year, joining teammate Cadence Johnson at Merrimack.
Scott Sloan
Wheeler, Senior
Boys Track
While the junior didn’t compete in the RIIL, his distances would have made him tough to beat. His throw of 172-0 at the Emerging Elite National Championships was the best from any high school athlete in Rhode Island. Sloan is currently ranked No. 6 in New England.
Mateo Smith
Wheeler, Senior
Boys Swim
A second-team All-State swimmer last winter, Smith’s times got better as the Warriors took on the NEPSAC. He earned All-NEPSAC honors in the 200 Individual Medley, 500 free and as part of the 400 Freestyle Relay. Smith will swim at Swarthmore College next winter.
Grayson Sparr
Wheeler, Senior
Baseball
A four-year starter for the Warriors, Sparr continued to have success in the NEPSAC. Sparr served as the team’s captain this spring and those leadership qualities – along with his slick glove and quick bat – should translate well when he plays at Division I Stonehill next spring.
Pat Spenard
St. Andrew’s, Senior
Boys Baskeball
The senior big put it together in his final season for the Saints and was the difference maker in the paint. He led the team in rebounding and earned All-New England honors. He’ll play at the next level, suiting up for Division II Franklin Pierce next season.
Miranda Ye
Wheeler, Senior
Girls Tennis
A three-time All-State selection when the Warriors played in the RIIL, Ye battled tough in the highly competitive NEPSAC. Ye was Wheeler’s captain this spring and played some of the best players in all of New England every match, more than deserving of her her fourth straight spot.
Katrina Zysk
Providence Country Day, Senior
Girls Track
Zysk was one of the best runners in Rhode Island. Her specialty was the 400 meters and she finished Top 10 in New Englands this spring with a personal best 1:04.30. Zysk will take her talents to the next level, running for Division I Loyola University in Maryland.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2023 RI Independent Sports All-State team for the Providence Journal
