By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Pomfret resident David Smutnick.  The former U.S. Marine, who has a love for competitive volleyball, is out migrating to Avon Park, Fla., where he hopes to resume his love of golf and softball.  His smiling face will be missed by all his friends.

In a prediction that could have been made by most high school football followers, Killingly High School, the No.1 ranked team in Connecticut’s Class M dominated the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division All Star selections for the recently completed fall season.

Austin Caffrey, the vaunted Redman running back, was a unanimous First Team selection.  He was joined on the First Team by teammates Jake Gauthier, who was the pick at tight end and Justin Lasher and Collin Byrnes in the offensive line.

Josh Angell, Killingly two-way end, led the way on defense along with Vasileios Politis, who was a defensive back choice.  Six Killingly players received Honorable Mention selections.  Named were Conner Lemley, Kyle Derosier, Kelsy Rhines, Zach Caffrey, Spencer Lockwood and Luke Desaulnier.

The Plainfield Panthers placed three players on the First team.  Selected was sure handed wide receiver Isaiah Fort, linebacker Hunter Griffin and utility specialist Tyler Ballard.  Kyle Coady and Marcus Robinson were Honorable Mention selections.

Sportsmanship Awards went to Chace Wood of Killingly and Coady of the Panthers.

Woodstock Academy punter Alden Brennan and utility performer Kyle Prouty were First Team picks in the Large Division.  The Centaur trio of Mason Defocy, Kyle Wigmore and Cahan Quinn received Honorable Mention honors.  Alex Basto was the Sportsmanship recipient. 

More Honors For Becher

Emily Becher, the Woodstock Academy grad, concluded a banner sophomore season for the Eastern Connecticut State University Lady Warriors soccer team by garnering more recognition for her great season.  Becher was named to the second team NCAA Division III All-New England Regional team.  Her selection makes her the first player in the history of the ECSU program to earn all-regional honors in her first two years on the Willimantic campus.  The high-scoring Becher led the Little East Conference in points with 33 this fall.  She also led the conference in goals with 15.

Congratulations on New Arrival

RPC sends along heartfelt congratulations to Jessica and Jeff Rawson on the birth of the couple’s second child, Blake, who was born at 12:15 a.m. on November 25.  Blake came into the world weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz. and measuring 21.25 inches.  Blake joins his older brother Beau in the Rawson household.  From all reports mother and baby are doing well.

Mark the Calendar

The annual Clipper Classic Holiday Basketball Festival, which is one of the area’s basketball traditions, is ready for the next edition that will take place on Saturday and Monday, December 26 and 28.  The tourney is sponsored by CNB a Division of ESB.  According to Putnam High School principal Jacqueline A. Vetrovec, there are four games each day.  The separate admission program includes two girls’ game in the afternoon and two boys’ games in the evening.

This year’s matchups include the girls’ lidlifter at 1 p.m. between Killingly and Windham Tech followed by the Putnam and Tourtellotte contest.  In the evening the boys’ take the court with Killingly squaring off against Tourtellotte followed by the Putnam vs. Ellis Tech contest at 7 p.m.

All tournament contests are scheduled in the newly constructed Putnam High School gymnasium.  The facility was dedicated on Tuesday, December 8 in a grand opening ceremony.

On The Mend

The affable Cosmo Quercia, former Norwich Free Academy and Central Connecticut State University running back and current Thompson resident, is recuperating from a medical procedure that most former athletes don’t experience.  On November 16, Quercia had his second rotator cuff surgery.  His initial surgery was in 2004.  The work on his right shoulder was performed at Hartford Hospital by Dr. Christopher Lena.  Quercia is still in a sling but reports that the healing and rehabilitation process is coming along just fine.  He expects to be fully back in action sometime in the first part of 2016.

Coaches Convention 

Right Around The Corner

Roger LaFrancois, former Boston Red sox catcher, and Pete Walker, pitching coach of the Toronto Blue Jays, are busily at work preparing for the 2016 Mohegan Sun World Baseball Coaches’ Convention scheduled for January 21 through January 23, 2016.

Once again the convention has lined up a stellar array of performers and presenters.  Included in this year’s program are Blue Jays pitching sensation Marcus Stroman and the Jays slugging first baseman and former Assumption College standout Chris Collabello.  Former UConn and current Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Nick Ahmed will also be featured along with former Major League standout Bob Tewksbury of Tewksbury Hitting.

For more information or to register, go to www.BaseballCoachesClinic.com. 

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

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