Hartford pg 9 1-15-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Quinnatisset Country Club golf operations manager Mike Pizzetti. The cold weather and snow is the only reason Pizzetti isn’t at the course in the winter. A hard working individual, Pizzetti deserves the opportunity for time off and sunshine, besides that, his birthday is Jan. 16.
Jeff Jacobs is the well-known and highly respected sports columnist of the Hartford Courant. His opinions, which range from a variety of topics on professional and college sports, are articulate, complimentary and sometimes scathing. He’s also been known to express his candid thoughts on the performers and coaches without favoritism. He’s not what might be classified as a “homer” because he is known to tell it like it is.
What most readers of the thousands of columns that he’s written don’t know about the popular Jacobs is that he lives in Moosup. That’s correct, Moosup, the famous village in the town of Plainfield.
Occasionally Jacobs is known to write soft columns, which are more personal in nature, sometimes referring to people and events that he’s experienced in northeastern Connecticut. An example is the column he wrote approximately a decade ago about the heart attack he suffered while covering a basketball game at Mohegan Sun. In that article he highlighted and thanked two Day Kimball physicians, Lisa Cantor and Bill Bradbury, whom he credits with saving his life.
Recently he wrote on the topic of the difference of being a fan of sports and being a fan of a sport. In hundreds of words he notes that being a fan of a team often brings out a side of people that isn’t displayed under normal circumstances. For example, how parents at a game where one of their offspring is participating can sometimes be over the edge. Even to the point of where their screaming may embarrass their spouse who is sitting beside them.
After going from originally being a fan of a team to a more relaxed and objective fan of the game, Jacobs admits he’s recently reverted to “the glory of a being a fan of a team.” The reason – his son Liam who is a junior and a mainstay on the Bob Arremony-coached Plainfield Panthers.
Since Liam Jacobs has ascended to varsity status, dad, Jeff Jacobs admits that when he’s watching his son play he thinks “Anything is possible.” He admits that he tries to adjust his schedule to attend as many games as possible. When he can’t be in attendance he clips out game box scores from the Norwich Bulletin, which he pastes in a notebook, feeling like “I’m 14 again.”
The way Liam is performing, Jacobs has enjoyed reading and clipping, although he admits when play gets sloppy and turnovers occur he wants to apologize to Liam’s coach and the other parents for his fan behavior. He admits he can’t stop himself from rooting as a fan of the team and knowing that “the next shot is going in.” That’s the message he delivers to his son because right now he believes it, as he admits “I am a fan.”
After years of sitting and reporting on hundreds, possibly even thousands of games, where as a fan of sports he’s simply been an ardent but objective observer, Jacobs deserves the opportunity to root out loud for Liam and the Panthers.
As a father of three boys who played high school sports and brought me great pleasure, my advice Jeff is “Enjoy the ride.” The years go by so quickly that soon they’ll only be memories. Memories you can share fondly with Liam.
Farewell to a Man Whose
Hammer and Tools Brought
Pleasure to Many
Jean-Yves Drouin, known intimately by his friends and acquaintances as “Frenchie,” died unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 2014, doing what he did so well, working for other people. At 67 years old he died too young, when he collapsed while working on a roof.
For 51 of his 67 years, “Frenchie” worked as a carpenter and handyman in the Putnam area, where he and his hammer and tools were the creator of porches, additions, roofs, fire pits and garages. He was a craftsman who viewed every job he did as a work of art.
Around the community of Putnam he was often found driving his pick-up truck or motorcycle, which transported him to his favorite haunts, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or flea markets and yard sales.
But it wasn’t until his daughter moved to North Carolina that “Frenchie” learned to relax as he became a huge fan of NASCAR. On visits to North Carolina he was able to take in races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. His biggest thrill was a gift he received from his daughter of driving a NASCAR auto around the famed oval.
My personal memory of “Frenchie” is the pride he expressed when he showed me a plaque with his photo from his ride around the Charlotte track. The small piece describing his experience, which appeared in Ramblings, Points and Comments brought his experience full cycle, making him a noted sportsman and celebrity.
His death was a shock to those who knew him or for whom he had plied his trade. They are still reeling and find it difficult to fathom. But from the “big track in the sky” Frenchie is smiling down on his friends and most likely rubbing elbows with some NASCAR greats. You’ll be missed more than you would ever have realized, “Frenchie.”
On The Mend
It’s great to see Charlie Franklin up and about and strolling on Sports Avenue after a stop at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. Word on the street is that Franklin is up to his old habits of harassing his friends in the Elks Pitch League on Wednesday evenings and kibitzing with his customers at Putnam Farmers Co-op. A 1958 graduate of Putnam High School where he played a little hoop, Franklin is promising to get back into his schoolboy playing shape. Be on the lookout for Charlie and wish him well as he returns to good health.
Catching Up with Scoochie
Last week local fans enjoyed the opportunity to witness a great performance by a former Putnam Science Academy standout if they were tuned in to NBCSN for the Atlantic-10 game between the University of Dayton and Duquesne University. The home team Flyers beat the visiting Dukes thanks to a solid performance by Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith.
Recruited off the Maple St. campus by Dayton coach Archie Miller, Smith is paying rich dividends for the man who believed in him. In the victory over Duquesne, Smith turned in a tremendous floor game while managing to score a career high 16 points. Some recent team issues have witnessed three Flyers suspended from the team providing Smith and others with the job of carrying the load for coach Miller.
While a Mustang for coach Tom Espinosa, Smith scored a career-leading 1,010 points. The way the sophomore guard is performing in Dayton it appears that he could be headed for some great stats there before he receives his degree.
Bobby Ahearn, the former Marianapolis standout, is currently a freshman at Binghamton University. In a recent game against the University of Hartford, Ahearn played 23 minutes in the 69-59 loss. He was 3-3 from the floor for six points with three rebounds before fouling out.
Quinnipiac University leveled its record at 7-7 following a 68-64 victory over Monmouth College of New Jersey. Ex-Marianapolis standout Ousmane Drame had 17 points in the win while former PSA big man freshman Chaise Daniels had three points.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Nothing worthwhile comes easy or cheap.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Centaur pg 10 1-15-15
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WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Academy went 2-3 Jan. 10 in wrestling at the Somers Duals.
Woodstock 39 – Somers 39 (Somers won by criteria)
138- Edwin Sandoval (W) Fall 4:43 over Dominic Tardlf (S)
145- Tristan Menard (W) Forfeit
152-Riley McMahon (W) Forfeit
160- Jacob Berry (S) Injury default over Graysen DeLuca (W)
170- Johnathan Vazquez (S) Fall 0:47 over Connor Quinn (W)
182- Tyler Lajoie (W) Forfeit
195- Adam Patsum (S) Fall 0:38 over Cahan Quinn (W)
220- Cody Lajoie (W) Forfeit
285- Mark Dumas (W) Forfeit
106- Scott Campbell (S) Fall 5:58 over Ray Rilling (W)
113- Peter Garlick (S) Decision over Ethan Hellwig (W)
120- Ivan Asikainen (W) Decision 9-4 over Steven McBride (S)
126- Christian Andrade (S) Fall 0:14 over Jacob Murphy (W)
132- Jeffery Suschana (S) Fall 2:37 over Johnny Currie
Woodstock 30 - Conard 48
145- Dan Walsh (C ) Decision 12-5 over Tristan Menard (W)
152- Antonio Masse (C ) Fall 1:33 over Riley McMahon (W)
160- Graysen Deluca (W) Fall 1:28 over Dan Dachuna (C )
170- Nick Kremis (C ) Fall 0:40 over Connor Quinn (W)
182- Dylan Fostert (C ) Fall 2:38 over Tyler Lajoie (W)
195- Cahan Quinn (W) Fall 1:13 over Ali Han (C )
220- Cody Lajoie (W) Fall 1:10 over Jared Lizic
285- Jim Fisher (C ) Forfeit 18-27
106- Ray Rilling (W) Fall 3:27 over Andrew Walsh (C )
113- Ethan Hellwig (W) Fall 1:01 over Trevor Rachford (C )
120-Branden Rivera (C ) Fall 0:52 over Ivan Asikainen (W)
126- Tom Callahan (C ) Fall 1:15 over Jacob Murphy (W)
134- Eddie Bellow (C ) Fall 2:38 over Johnny Currie (W) 30-45
138- Josh Dufault (C ) Decision 7-0 over Edwin Sandoval (W) 30-48
Woodstock 66 - Holy Cross 15
152- Riley McMahon (W) Forfeit
160- Graysen Deluca (W) Fall 0:35 over Hunter Albee (H)
170- Connor Quinn (W) Forfeit
182- Tyler Lajoie (W) Forfeit
195- Jack Bowler (H) fall 3:58 over Cahan Quinn (W)
220 – Cody Lajoie (W) Fall 2:25 over Albert Nieves
HWT – Joe Korkendale (H) Forfeit
106 – Ray Rilling (W) forfeit
113- Ethan Helliwg (W) forfeit
120 – Ivan Asikainen (W) forfeit
126 – Jacob Murphy (W) forfeit
132 – John Currie (W) Fall 1:15 over Teddy Ozkowsi (H)
138 – DJ Manguni (H) dec 3-1 over Edwin Sandoval (W)
145 – Tristan Menard (W) Forfeit
Woodstock 51 – SMSA 30
160- Graysen Deluca (W) Fall 0:35 over Carlos Rivera (SMSA)
170- Edwin Matozo (S) Fall 0:13 over Connor Quinn (W)
182- Kevin Matozo (S) Fall 0:25 over Tyler Lajoie (W)
195- Cahan Quinn (W) Forfeit
220 – Cody Lajoie (W) Fall 1:00 over Ariel Brown
HWT – Kyrie Dawson-Hooks (S) Forfeit
106 – Ray Rilling (W) forfeit
113- Ethan Helliwg (W) Fall 0:36 over Ernesto Vargas (S)
120 – Giovanni Storniolo (S) Fall 0:36 over Ivan Asikainen (W)
126 – Cade Cannon(S) Fall 0:59 over Jacob Murphy (W)
132 – John Currie (W) Fall 1:22 over Mike Perry (S)
138 –Edwin Sandoval (W) Fall 1:57 over Angel Baez (S)
145 – Riley McMahon (W) Forfeit
152 – Tristan Menard (W) dec 8-7 over Romeo Valentine (S)
Woodstock 36 - Griswold 45
170- Sinjin Benitez (G) Fall 1:39 over Connor Quinn (W)
182- Jack Giard (W) Fall 0:33 over Tyler Lajoie (W)
195- Cahan Quinn (W) Fall 0:33 over James Miller (G)
220 – Devin Bellisle (G) dec 11-7 over Cody Lajoie (W)
HWT – Dane Taylor (G) Forfeit
106 – Ray Rilling (W) forfeit
113- Ethan Helliwg (W) Fall 1:38 over Jason Jacruso (G)
120 – Joe’l Garcia (G) Fall 1:18 over Ivan Asikainen (W)
126 – Evan Roy (G) Fall 1:26 over Jacob Murphy (W)
132 – Zac Cassidy (G) Fall 4:56 over John Currie (W)
138 –Edwin Sandoval (W) Fall 3:23 over Carl Edge (G)
145 – Tristan Menard (W) Fall 1:15 over Riley Noiseux (G)
152 – Victor Whelan (G) Fall 0:37 over Riley McMahon (W)
160- Graysen Deluca (W) Fall 1:43 over Ryan Gervais (G)
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Quest pg 10 1-15-15
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PUTNAM — Master Mike Bogdanski and Master Kristin Duethorn of Quest Martial Arts recently promoted the following students.
Orange Dragon
Nathan Adams
Cooper Ducat
Lillian Frechette
Blue Dragon
Drake Abdullovski
Jake Jaworski
Xavier Lafleur
Rowan Lehmann
Carter Mydlarz
Red Dragon
Aidan Tyler
Yellow
Bella Ducat
Madelyn Frechette
Noelle Sallum
Colton Sallum
Orange
Landen Reschke
Keanu Sirimongkhoune
Ashton Sirimongkhoune
Brynn Perry
Blue white
Bella Andersen
Hunter Larson
Clayton Lehmann
Kathryn McArthur
Blue
Anthony Buckner
Blue Green
Isabella Selmecki
Blue Black
Campbell Fraser
Alishia Thompson
Green Black
Seth Dunton
Kyle Pazienza
Tucker Trahan
Red
Conor Stewart
Red Black
Zachary Rainville
Jr. Apprentice
Linsey Arends
Nicholas Boligan
Emma Brock
Matthew card
Ethan Ekman
Jeffery Gibbs
Zachary Willard
8 GUP Blue
Derek May
Sarrah Bernier
5 GUP Green
Chris Desmond
Doug Ryan
4 GUP Green: Michael Johnson, Troy Davis
3 Gup Red: Madison Hopkins, Michael McKeon, Anne Dilko
2 GUP Red: Zach Davis, Lydia Smith
1 GUP Red: Spencer Hall, Rachelle Davis
Adult Apprentice Black Belt
Alexis Elkinson
Emma Willard
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Schoolboy pg 10 1-15-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
It was a difficult week for schoolboy basketball as local teams only posted three wins in the 12 games that were played. Woodstock, which has become accustomed to winning games, finally posted its initial victory of the season after starting the 2014-2015 campaign at 0-5.
Killingly, Tourtellotte, and Putnam were all winless in a total of seven games. Plainfield split a pair of contests, while Ellis Tech enjoying the taste of victory won its only game of the week.
Putnam Science Academy, the area’s top prep combine, lost to St. Thomas More but rebounded successfully with a trio of solid performances that resulted in wins. Pomfret enjoyed a perfect week with two wins, while Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis failed in their bids to reach the Win column.
PSA Climbs to 14-2 with a Pair of Impressive Wins
Putnam Science Academy and St. Thomas More, two of the nation’s top prep basketball powers, clashed in a battle of the titans on the Oakdale campus of the Saints. The game was nip-and-tuck throughout with the final verdict coming in the last 1.2 seconds of the contest. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, STM prevailed by the narrowest of margins 73-72.
Coach Tom Espinosa’s charges trailed by three points, 39-36 at halftime and despite scoring 36 more points in the final 20 minutes still fell short by a single point. Kealen Ives and Andrew Robinson turned in eye-popping performances in the loss. Robinson was the game high scorer with 23 points, while also gathering six rebounds. Ives had 19 markers to go along with four assists. The only other scorer in double figures was Hamidou Diallo with 15 points.
The Mustangs got back on the winning track with a pair of solid home court victories, an 87-84 win over Mount Morency College of Canada and a 91-76 win over the Mt. Zion Warriors of Baltimore.
In the victory over the Canadians three players were in double figures as nine Mustangs made it into the scorebook. The Scientists were paced by the trio of Ives (24), Andrew Robinson (16) and Diallo (10). The Mustangs led by 11 at intermission, 49-38 but almost had the table reversed in the second half due to shoddy defense, as Mt. Morency outscored the hosts 46-38 over the final 20 minutes.
Thanks to a solid all-around effort by Josh Wallace (20 points, five rebounds and five assists) PSA awoke from the defensive doldrums of the previous contest to register the win over Mt. Zion. Wallace, who was all over the court in his starting role, was complemented by Ives and Andrew Robinson, who posted double-double performances. Ives had 13 points and 10 assists, while Robinson had 16 points and an equal number of caroms. Diallo was once again in double figures with 11 and Mamadou Diarra added 10 to the solid team effort. Leading by only three points at the half, 46-43, the Scientists turned up the defensive intensity in the final 20 minutes holding the visitors to a mere 23 points. Aaron Robinson, Vincent Eze, Dandre Rhoden and newcomer Brandon Hurst all contributed heavily to the win.
At the Ballas TV Invitational in Boston, the Mustangs disposed of Redemption Christian 69-49. Diarra with 18 points was selected the Player of the Game for his effort. Andrew Robinson had 16 in the win, while Wallace chipped in 14, as he continues his fine play.
Pomfret School appears to be gelling as a unit as the Golden Griffin had two victories in the past week. The team opened with a 57-50 win over Deerfield Academy on the home court of the Big Green. Cam Winston was immense with 28 points to pace the victory. Gerald Blount notched a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The Golden Griffins moved to 6-3 on the year with a nailbiting 56-54 victory over Governor’s Academy on the wings of a pair of free throws in the final nine seconds of the contest. Winston was high scorer with 21 points, while Obim Okeke contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Hyde-Woodstock (3-6) lost to St. Luke’s 60-55 despite 20 points from Dexter Thompson. The Wolfpack also had Damon Jones in double figures with 16 and Kris Carroll with 11. In its first game of the week, Hyde bested the St. Thomas More V2 team 60-52 as Damon Gomes led the way with 18 points. Thompson added 16 and Carroll 11 in the victory. The Wolfpack was also dropped 90-42 at the Ballas TV Invitational.
The Marianapolis Golden Knights V2 team traveled to Worcester for an encounter with Worcester Academy and came away empty as they were felled 67-44. Colin Hourihan was the top scorer for the 2-3 Knights with 10 points.
Coach Andrew Vitale’s V1 team enjoyed success in Massachusetts at the Hoop Dreams Magazine Prep Classic at Tufts University with a 55-48 victory over Tabor Academy. Tom Horvat had 20 points to lead the way for the 5-4 Golden Knights. Adrian LaFleur chipped in 18 points for the winners.
Woodstock Boys Hit the W Column
After waiting since mid-December the Woodstock Academy Centaurs relished their first victory a 68-42 win over Greenfield High School of Massachusetts. Thirsting for the win, the Acads led from start to finish as a quartet of players finished in double digits. Luke Blodgett was the team’s high scorer with 18 points as they snapped a five-game losing streak. He was joined in double figures by Oliver Simon with 13 points, Bryce Jarrett with 16 and Adam Converse with 10.
The Acads came back to earth when they traveled to New London where they were manhandled by the Whalers 75-49. Converse with 18 and Blodgett with 11 were the top point producers for the 1-6 Centaurs.
Ellis Tech, which is 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in the Constitution State Conference – East, won its only game of the week, a 65-56 victory over Grasso Tech. The Eagles placed four players in double figures, led by Ryan Fletcher with 16 markers. Spencer Anderson and Pat Garrett each tossed in 15 points and Chicago Rogers had a dozen.
Plainfield split a pair of games, beating Stonington at home 66-64 and losing to archrival Griswold 58-52 in Jewett City. The Panthers led 29-24 at halftime against the Bears and withstood a second half surge by the visitors to squeak out the win. Steve Jankowski was immense in the win with 32 points including four from three-point land. Jankowski’s cousin, David Carpenter was also in double figures with 13 points.
After being tied 25-25 at intermission, Plainfield allowed Griswold a huge fourth quarter in which it was outscored 18-11by the Wolverines for the margin of victory. Liam Jacobs and Jankowski each posted 15 points in the disappointing loss for 5-2 Plainfield. Killingly lost all three of its games over the past week, the most disappointing being a 52-51 hand wringer to Wheeler. The Redmen let Wheeler hang around long enough that they eventually felt they could win and they did! Brendan Turner (20) and Chace Wood (11) were high scorers for the 2-5 overall and 0-3 Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division Killingly team. Earlier in the week the Redmen were walloped by Ledyard 90-60, which was followed by a 65-50 loss at the hands of Waterford. Putnam dropped to 1-5 on the season after losing 45-40 to Norwich Tech and 65-52 to Griswold. And winless Tourtellotte at 0-7 overall, lost to Windham Tech 75-46 and to Parish Hill 53-40.
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