Mustangs pg 9 11-12-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
A surprise announcement in May by the Wellspring Foundation that Putnam Science Academy was closing its doors caught the Putnam community and northeastern Connecticut basketball fandom off guard. After nine successful seasons on the hardwood, the question remained, “What would become of the Mustangs basketball program?”
Following lengthy deliberations, new ownership of the school under the direction of Dr. Tieqiang Ding, assumed leadership of the institution. And the issues surrounding the Putnam Science Academy basketball program appears to finally have the situation on an even keel.
Throughout the summer despite the uncertainty coach Tom Espinosa and his assistants proceeded with the recruitment of players as though business as usual would return to the Maple Street campus. Their faith and hard work has resulted in what many feel may be the best team in the brief but starry history of the program.
Last season coach Espinosa led his team to a 27-8 record and a second consecutive trip to the National Prep School Tournament Championships. Six players are gone through graduation from that team. Gone are twins Aaron and Andrew Robinson (Quinnipiac), Kealan Ives (Rider), Dondre Rhoden (Farleigh Dickinson), Vincent Eze (Maine), and Josh Wallace (Palm Beach JC). Espinosa has reloaded, bringing in 14 recruits to go along with three returning players.
Leading this year’s edition of the Mustangs is Captain Mamadou Diarra back for his third season in Putnam. The 6-foot, 9-inch Diarra, who has signed to play with UConn in 2016, is “the inside force and shot blocker” that Espinosa will rely on as his leader.
“Mamadou will see more minutes than previously. He’s matured mentally and physically and has become a smart player,” said Espinosa.
Another mainstay of this year’s team is heavily recruited Queens, N.Y., product Hamidou Diallo. “Hamidou has grown physically and in maturity. We’ll look for him to fill the stat sheet as our go to guy,” said Espinosa.
The third returnee is guard Brandon Hurst who will be a key operative off the bench.
Espinosa’s brought in three big men to complement Diarra and Diallo. The Mustangs will look for 6-9 sophomore Darnell Brodie from New Jersey, who is described as a “rebounding machine” to team with post graduate Tyere Marshall another 6-9 Division I recruit, who is a low post scorer. The unknown factor in the middle is 7-2 sophomore Emanuel “Manny” Umoffia, who “continues to get better with every day on the court.”
The Mustangs have a plethora of guards with nine players vying for playing time. Early on it appears that sophomore 6-4 point guard Eric Ayala and senior shooter Jaheam Cornwall have the inside track at starting in the backcourt. Collin Sawyer, who hails from nearby New London is a “very special player that is a steal.” According to Espinosa, “Sawyer is deadly from three-point range and moves well without the ball.”
In the mix for playing time are Brandon Steed, lefty Tyree Perkins, Texas Longhorn Danny Salamah, post graduate Turian Archie, late comer KJ Smith and fourth year player from Turkey Uamus Demirkol.
The wing position is loaded with skilled players led by Worcester Academy transfer 6-4 Saul Phiri, who was the NEPSAC AA leading scorer last season. A pair of post graduates, Chuba Ohams from the Bronx and Sean Delaney adds skill and versatility to the frontcourt.
As usual Espinosa has assembled a rugged 38-game schedule that has his Mustangs facing the iron every time they step on to the court.
They open the season on November 17 at home against Spire Institute of Ohio and close when they host the Northeast Prep Tournament, featuring Redemption Christian, Mount Zion of Maryland and Rise Academy. In between the Mustangs face six teams projected in the Top Ten in the preseason poll and participate in a dozen tournaments throughout the East coast. They have only one contest against a local team, traveling to Hyde School-Woodstock on Feb. 8.
The goal for Espinosa and his Mustangs is a third consecutive trip to the National Prep School Tournament Championships scheduled for March 8 at Connecticut College in New London.
“On paper this is probably the most talented team we’ve ever assembled. The key to our season is the players coming together as a unit. We have plenty of work ahead of us but I’m confident that these players will pull it together. They knew the expectations when they decided to come here, so it’s up to them how far we go,” said Espinosa.
Working with Espinosa and associate head coach Josh Scraba are coaches Travis Godley, Dan Gomes and Ryan Rumrill. Eric Mauer will once again serve as the Director of Basketball Operations.
Sean Martel joins the staff as a volunteer assistant.
Legals pg 10 11-12-15
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Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Commission
The Town of Putnam Zoning Commission will hold a meeting on November 18, 2015, at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 126 Church Street, Putnam. CT. A public hearing will be held on the following:
Docket # 2015-01: Town of Putnam Aquifer Protection Agency — Request for a map amendment to the Town of Putnam Zoning Map dated May 28, 2014, to reflect the revised mapping of the Aquifer Protection Area as approved by CT DEEP.
Patricia Hedenberg,
Chairman
Nov. 5, 2015
Nov. 12, 2015
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Planning Commission
The Town of Putnam Planning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 23, 2015, in the First Floor Community Room at the Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT, on the proposed comprehensive amendment/restatement of the Town of Putnam Subdivision Regulations. Hard copies of the proposed regulations may be viewed in the Planning/Land Use Office and the Town Clerk’s Office at the Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT, during regular Town Hall business hours, and a hard copy of the proposed Subdivision Regulations may be viewed at the Putnam Public Library, 225 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT. Electronic copies of the Regulations may be viewed on the Town of Putnam Website: http://www.putnamct.us. This public hearing was originally scheduled for October 25, 2015 but was not held due to a lack of a quorum.
Edward Briere,
Chairman
Nov. 12, 2015
Nov. 19, 2015
Legals pg 11 11-12-15
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Legal Notice
Public Hearing
Town of Pomfret
Planning and
Zoning
Commission
The Pomfret Planning & Zoning Commission will hold the following Public Hearings at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, starting at 7:00 PM at the Old Town House:
1. Christine Baird, 151 Mashamoquet Road, special permit for professional offices and living space for owner
2. LIUNA (NELTA), 37 Deerfield Road, special permit for new 10,500 sq. ft. office/training building, associated utility structures (generator, HVAC, etc.), and parking area with 25 new spaces
A copy of these applications is on file in the office of the Planning and Zoning Commission, 5 Haven Road Pomfret, Connecticut. The files are available for review during normal business hours.
Dated this 28th day
of October 2015
Town of Pomfret
Planning &
Zoning Commission
Lynn L. Krajewski,
Clerk
Nov. 4, 2015
Nov. 11, 2015
Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Inland Wetlands
and Watercourses
Commission
At the November 4, 2015 meeting the following application was acted upon:
1. Robert Higgins, 125 Youngs Road, new house, garage, septic, well and driveway.
Withdrawn by applicant. Applicant will re-apply in spring.
2. Roger Daigle, 193 Putnam Road, install deck on existing bridge beams/abutments. Approved with conditions.
Town of Pomfret
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission
Dated this 9th day
of November 2015
Lynn L. Krajewski,
Clerk
Nov. 11, 2015
Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Invitation to Bid
Sealed bids for a 1999 Chevrolet pick-up to be sold ‘as is’ will be received by the Town of Pomfret at the Office of the First Selectman, Pomfret Town Hall, Five Haven Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259. K-2500 series, Regular cab, V-8, automatic 4x4. TMU. Bids should be submitted no later than Monday, November 23, 2015, at 12:00 Noon, in a sealed envelope marked “1999 Chevrolet Pick-up”.
No bidder may withdraw his/her Bid for a period of forty-five (45) days after the actual date of the Bid opening. The Town of Pomfret reserves the right to waive all formalities or to reject any or all Bids.
Dated at Pomfret, Connecticut
This 12th day of November, 2015
Maureen A. Nicholson,
First Selectman
Nov. 11, 2015
Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Invitation to Bid
Sealed bids for a 1990 International 6-wheel dump truck to be sold ‘as is’ will be received by the Town of Pomfret at the Office of the First Selectman, Pomfret Town Hall, Five Haven Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259. $2,000 minimum bid. DT 466 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, hi-lo range, GVWR 35000, TMU. Bids should be submitted no later than Monday, November 23, 2015, at 12:00 Noon, in a sealed envelope marked “1990 International Truck”.
No bidder may withdraw his/her Bid for a period of forty-five (45) days after the actual date of the Bid opening. The Town of Pomfret reserves the right to waive all formalities or to reject any or all Bids.
Dated at Pomfret, Connecticut
This 12th day of November, 2015
Maureen A. Nicholson,
First Selectman
Nov. 11, 2015
Quest pg 11 11-12-15
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caption:
Promoted
Students who were promoted at Quest Martial Arts. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Grandmaster Mike Bogdanski and Master Kristin Duethorn of Quest Martial Arts in Putnam announced the promotions of the following students:
GRADUATION October2015
TIGER
Camo Tiger
Jayden Watkins ~ Jackson Bendall
DRAGON
Orange Dragon
Ryan Freudenthal ~ Kaleb Herrick ~ Elijah Laprade
Red Dragon
Rocco Billard
CHILDREN
Yellow
Xander Satterly ~ Keira O’Toole ~ Josiah Vadeboncoeur ~ Breana Briere Jones ~ Brayden Briere Jones
Orange
Cole Hopkins ~ Nathan Adams ~ Alexandra Lee ~ David Sumner
Orange -Blue
Abigail Nelson
Blue-White
Paul Poplasky ~ Brynn Perry
Blue-Green
Landen Reschke
Blue-Black
Hunter Larson ~ Anthony Buckner
Red
Kyle Pazienza
Red-Black
Emma Rainville ~ Ela Gadoury
Jr. App Black
Arianna Garnsey ~ Jai Abrams
ADULTS
9 GUP Orange
Tyler Houle
7 GUP Blue: Jessica Rochett-Stanger