to prestigious 

holiday 

tournament

By Ron P. Coderre

The hard work that Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa has put in to developing a winning program in the short eight years the team has played varsity competition is beginning to payoff for the Mustangs.  The initial recognition of the legitimacy of the program came last season when the team posted a 29-5 record, was invited to the National Prep Championships and was ranked 5th in the country in the final prep poll.

The latest recognition was received recently when the team was invited to play in 2014 Best Western Caisson Shootout at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va.  The tournament, which is sponsored by ESPNU, is one of the most prestigious prep tournaments in the country, featuring eight of the top programs in the U.S.

“I went through a series of emotions when I received word that our team was invited to the tournament.  As a prep coach this is something you dream about but doesn’t often materialize.  This is great news for our program and our school.  It puts us on the basketball map but also helps to promote our school,” said Espinosa.

The tournament is scheduled for Dec. 3 through 7.  All teams get the assurance of playing three games in four days.  The tournament is an opportunity for schools to showcase players who are being recruited by colleges from throughout the country.

“I’m really happy for our returning players and out recruits.  This will provide them with an opportunity to experience high level competition as they prepare for college.  This news should also help us in our recruiting effort for the upcoming season,” said Espinosa.

Espinosa and the Mustangs have already signed four top level recruits for the next season.  The Mustangs have a pair of highly recruited guards, Kealen Ives, from Classical High School in Providence and Tim Quashie from Long Island Lutheran, on board for next season.  They also have two rugged front court performers in 6-foot, 5-inch twin brothers Aaron and Andrew Robinson from Maryland and returning junior 6-8 Mamadou Diarra from Queens, New York.

 

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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.

April 28

David Labeck, 22, Providence Street, Putnam; breach of peace, third-degree assault.

April 29

Krisha Muniz, 33, River Road, Sterling; creating a public disturbance.

April 30

Elizabeth Fealy, 30, Arnio Drive, Moosup; operating under suspension, cell phone violation.

Stephen Rosenson, 46, Lamothe Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct, third-degree assault.

May 1

Nicholas Gonyer, 35, Morin Avenue, Danielson; third-degree assault, second-degree unlawful restraint, disorderly conduct.

James Murphy III, 29, Riverside Drive, N. Grosvenordale; failure to respond to an infraction.

May 3

Julia Haines, 30, Laurel Street, Putnam;  operating under the influence, failure to drive right.

David Courteau, 46, Poland Street, Webster; failure to verify address on sex offender registry, failure to notify registry of new address.

 

 

 

caption:

 

Visitor

Senator Chris Murphy visited eastern Connecticut recently and talked about the national scenic byway program, which includes Rt. 169. Left to right are Pomfret Selectman Barry Jesserun, Pomfret First Selectman Maureen Nicholson, Murphy and Jean Barton, a Pomfret business owner. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

Senator Chris Murphy was in eastern Connecticut last month making several stops to meet with constituents last week.  On one of his stops he met with representatives from towns along the Route 169 Scenic Byway corridor to discuss the future of the byway.  Officials and interested parties from Pomfret, Woodstock, Norwich, Brooklyn, and Canterbury were on hand along with John Filchak of NECCOG.

  One of the biggest selling point of northeastern Connecticut is the Route 169 National Scenic Byway that runs from the Connecticut-Massachusetts State Line in Woodstock, all the way down to Norwich. While it follows parallel with State Route 12 and I-395, this Route offers a more scenic north-south drive of the original New England with fields, scenic vistas, historical landmarks and infrastructure, and unique rural culture.

The Route 169 National Scenic Byway is 1 of 2 Nationally Recognized Byways in Connecticut (Merritt Parkway) and it is the mission at NECCOG to work with the Last Green Valley and towns to preserve this landmark, while also allowing it to be an asset in boosting economic development and tourism for the region. The Last Green Valley represents the last sections of southern New England that have been preserved through the rapid development that occurred throughout the last two centuries, and it is the mission of NECCOG to continue to provide collaborative efforts in preserving the byway. With plenty of sites, restaurants, hotels, and nearby activities, this is a route worth protecting.