A sold-out crowd packed Rogers High School’s gymnasium Tuesday night for far more than a basketball game.

Before the Vikings tipped off against island rival Middletown, the Rogers community gathered to honor Jim Psaras, the legendary coach who led the program for 26 seasons and passed away in July 2022 after a battle with cancer. The school dedicated its scoreboard to the Hall of Fame coach who compiled a 421-245 record, won three Division I state championships (1990, ’91, ’93), and earned 12 division titles during his tenure from 1988 to 2014.

Three men with deep connections to Psaras and Newport County basketball spoke before the game: Kevin Lendrum, Psaras’s best friend and the longtime Middletown boys basketball coach who stepped down last year after 15 seasons; John Dias, the Rogers coach whom Psaras succeeded in 1988; and Mike Newsome, who took over the Vikings program when Psaras retired and continues to lead it today.

Hundreds of former players, colleagues, family members, and fans filled every seat to pay tribute to the coach who touched countless lives both on and off the court. A Rogers High and University of Rhode Island graduate, Psaras also taught elementary physical education in Newport for 25 years and continued developing young players through his Vikings Hoops Youth Basketball Camp and Psaras Skills Academy after his retirement.

On the court, the Vikings gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about.

Rogers led throughout the contest, though Middletown mounted a late rally to pull within single digits in the closing minutes. The Vikings held on for a 48-41 victory.

Victor Ruggierri paced Rogers with 14 points. Luke Matthews contributed 8 points and Nechen Jones added 7 for the Vikings.

Ryan Johnson led all scorers with 16 points for Middletown, while Travin Martinez chipped in 11 points for the Islanders.

ROGERS 48, MIDDLETOWN 41

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Middletown116131141
Rogers131413848

Rogers (48): Victor Ruggierri 14, Luke Matthews 8, Nechen Jones 7, Juelz Peer 6, Kieran Moore 5, Angel Brito 4, Brody Kindness 2, Kevan Rivera 2

Middletown (41): Ryan Johnson 16, Travin Martinez 11, Vincent Cavalieri 4, Kingston Maghuyop 4, Yassin Hassan 4, Gabriel Cantone 2

All photos by Justin Walker/What’sUpNewp

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Justin Walker is a Newport County native who specializes in sports, portraits, weddings and events as a freelance photographer around New England. Justin has over a decade of experience starting in college covering high profile events, collegiate and professional sports in Washington, D.C. His photojournalism and freelance work can be seen in various local and national publications. Check out his work at justinlwalkerphotography.com!