Killingly pg 9 11-28-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
The days of the 2013 football season are dwindling down quickly. High school teams are preparing for Thanksgiving Day but in the meantime two games were played last week with disappointing results for the two local entries.
Killingly traveled to Stonington and were mauled by the Bears 41-18. Closer to home, Plainfield entertained Jonathan Law from the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II West and suffered a disappointing 36-20 setback.
In years past Killingly had some pretty good football players whose last names were Poirier. Unfortunately for the Redmen this year’s edition of the Stonington Bears has a running back by the name of Zach Poirier. Following Thursday evening’s game, Killingly probably doesn’t want to hear that name ever again.
Poirier ran for four touchdowns on scampers of 5, 61, 72 and 67 yards, while amassing 158 yards on 13 carries. He was the major difference in the outcome. Within the space of approximately four minutes Poirier scored his 61 and 72-yard touchdowns. The second one was the clincher.
Trailing 21-12, the Redmen attempted a squib kick as a way of keeping the ball for Poirier. The kick was so good that it bounced over the first two receiving lines and into the hands of, you guessed it, Poirier who went 72 yards to paydirt. From that point on it was Katie bar the door.
Killingly had some bright spots as Tyler Stucke showed some of his early season form, running for 149 yards on 16 carries, with one of his runs a 58-yard TD tally. Michael Elsey continued to shine, catching a Nick Hewitt 34-yard pass for a score. And the Redmen witnessed the return of freshman quarterback Kyle Derosier, who was 5-10 for 64 6ards and a touchdown toss.
The loss prevents the Redmen from posting a winning record as they stand at 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the ECC Medium Division entering the season finale on Thanksgiving Day.
Plainfield fell behind Jonathan Law 16-6 at halftime because when they had the opportunities in the red-zone they were unable to capitalize. Meanwhile the Lawmen with their Navy-style offense befuddled the Panther defense. The combination of squandered chances and porous defense was Plainfield’s downfall.
Plainfield got touchdowns from Cody Alday (27-yard run), Kade Amster (1-yard run) and Tyler Ballard (39-yard pass from quarterback Steve Jankowski) but it wasn’t enough to put them over the top.
The loss snapped Plainfield’s three-game winning streak and put them at 5-5 entering its Turkey Day contest against archrival Griswold.
Extra Points
Plainfield’s loss to Jonathan Law hurt in more ways than one. The Panthers two premier running backs, Jordan Federer and Cody Alday both left the game with ankle injuries…Panthers quarterback Steve Jankowski had a good night despite the final outcome. He carried the ball 16 times for 84 yards and was 5-14-88 in the air and a touchdown…Killingly welcomed back freshman signal caller Kyle Derosier, who split time under center with Nick Hewitt in the Stonington game…Killingly had an opportunity to play spoiler and keep Stonington from the postseason playoffs. The Redmen will have one more chance to burst a bubble when they face Quinebaug Pride, which is just ahead of the Bears in the CIAC Point Standings…Should the Pride prevail on Thanksgiving Day they should be the final entry in the Class M Postseason picture…This week’s games include Woodstock at Windham on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.; Thanksgiving Day - Plainfield at Griswold (10 a.m.); Quinebaug Pride at Killingly (10:30 a.m.).
Putnam Town Crier Super Standings: Quinebaug Pride – 8-2; Hyde-Woodstock – 6-2; Plainfield – 5-5; Pomfret School – 4-4; Killingly – 4-6; Woodstock Academy – 0-10.
PTC pg 9 11-28-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to all our faithful readers with wishes for a warm, peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving Day. This national holiday which originated with the Pilgrims in 1621 to celebrate the first harvest of the Plymouth Colony is America’s singular holiday that takes a moment to stop, pause and say thanks for all that we’ve been provided as a nation. Enjoy the day, hopefully surrounded by family and friends.
Cleaning out the sports desk in-box prior to the end of the year there are tidbits of sports chaff that need to be written because they involve the good folks who make up the fabric of the northeastern Connecticut sports community.
Keeping Up With MPS Grads
It’s nice to see former local players performing well on the college hardwood. Two former Marianapolis grads, Ike Azotam and Ousame Drame continue to spark coach Tom Moore’s Quinnipiac Bobcats.
In a recent 79-69 victory over the University of Albany, Drame led the Bobcats with 18 points and 10 rebounds as he recorded his 10th career double-double at Quinnipiac. The 6-foot, 9-inch Drame, who is a junior, has continued to improve season by season and game by game.
In the Albany victory Azotam posted eight points in a steady performance. In a 71-68 win over Hampton, Azotam had a double-double, recording 12 points and 13 caroms. That evening Azotam climbed into the eighth place on Quinnipiac’s all-time scoring list. Drame added 13 points in the victory as the Bobcats raised their record to 3-1 on the season.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy life together to former Killingly High School coach Scott Desrosiers and his soon-to-be bride Annie Scott. The couple will be tying the knot the day after Thanksgiving in a quiet ceremony in the presence of their respective families.
Desrosiers, one of Killingly’s top athletes in his heyday, was the successful coach of the Redmen for many years, retiring from the coaching ranks two years ago. He’s the radio commentary voice of WINY baseball with John Wilbur and occasionally fills in on basketball broadcasts.
RPC says thumbs up to the lovely couple.
Kudos to a Great Guy
Dan Durand, the TriTown American Legion Junior Baseball coach, has another life off the diamond. A military veteran, Durand has been attending Three Rivers Community College and working on a degree in nursing since being honorably discharged.
Now in his Semester II affiliation, the soon to be RN was the recent recipient of the prestigious “Excellence in Bedside Nursing Award” given by the school. Durand is one of approximately 300 individuals who were eligible for the award.
It’s no surprise that he garnered this recognition. Watching Durand on the baseball diamond with the young men under his tutelage, he’s a perfect role model. Always respectful and understanding of the needs of teens, Durand in his own inimitable style is able to teach winning baseball while seamlessly melding his style with teaching his players what it takes to be a success in life.
Everyone associated with the TriTown Program is very proud of you Nurse Dan.
College Basketball Agreeing with Former Clipper
Former Putnam High School basketball standout Ashley Espinosa is transitioning to the college hoop scene in a satisfactory fashion. While at Putnam during her four years, Espinosa was plagued with knee problems that hampered her performance. Despite the nagging injury she proved to be one of the area’s top players and the leader of coach Willie Bousquet’s team.
Espinosa is currently a freshman at Worcester State University where she is averaging 13 minutes per game. She’s the first player off the bench for the Lady Lancers. The team is 2-1 early in its season, which started with an exhibition contest against Division I University of New Hampshire. In her baptism to college basketball against UNH, Espinosa had two points, one rebound and one steal.
At Worcester State she’s following in the footsteps of her famous Uncle Tom Espinosa and his wife, the former Trish Cushing. Both Tom and Trish were captains of their respective teams at WSU.
Northeastern Connecticut Prominent at Assumption Basketball Game
On Saturday, November 23 when the Assumption College men’s and women’s basketball teams squared off against St. Anselm’s College there was a definite northeastern Connecticut flavor to both games.
In the lid lifter, which saw the Greyhound ladies lose by three points in overtime, the head referee for the contest was Danielson resident Pam Lomerson. In the nightcap the referee was Marek Drabinski, the baseball coach at Brown University. Drabinski is a familiar face to local high school basketball from his days as an Eastern Board 8 ref, when he was a frequent whistle blower in the region.
Spotted in the stands was Marianapolis girls’ basketball player Nicole Viselli, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play next season at Post University in Waterbury. She was on hand to watch her sister, Ashley Viselli, who is a senior at St. A’s.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History
November 1903: In basketball, Putnam High School defeated Woodstock 17-6 at the Armory. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Let us, on the day set aside for this purpose, give thanks to the Ruler of the universe for the strength which he has vouchsafed us to carry on our daily labors and for the hope that lives within us of the coming of a day when peace and the productive activities of peace shall reign on every continent.” Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 31, 1939
Martial pg 10 11-28-13
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caption, page 11:
Promotions
Students at Quest Martial Arts who were promoted recently. Courtesy photo.
Martial arts
promotions
PUTNAM — The following students were promoted at the November Graduation at Mike Bogdanski’s and Kristin Duethorn’s Quest Martial Arts.
Tiger
Mason Steele
Orange Dragon
Evan Rawson
Blue Dragon
Sawyer Britt
Green Dragon
Vincent Adonizio
Red Dragon
Kristjan Conroy
Yellow
Jordyn Butler
Avery Butler
Giana Cinque
Ian Rawson
Justin McGroary
Eric McGroary
Orange
Samuel Chitwood
Campbell Fraser
Alexis Thompson
Alishia Thompson
Blue/Green
Charlie Caggiano
Ela Gadoury
Tucker Trahan
Green/White
Evan Antonson
Kyle Pazienza
Green
Jack Adase
Marcos Escobar
Green/Red
Deidrea Hanshaw
Green/Black
Matthew Card
Zachary Rainville
Red/White
Linsey Arends
Abby Card
Jeffrey Gibbs
Sophie Griffin
Annie Griffin
Zachary Willard
Adult Orange
Emily Colangelo
Leonard Lafleur
1 Stripe Green
Rachelle Davis
2 Stripe Green
Spencer Hall
3 Stripe Red
Emma Willard
2 Stripe Red
Arielle Kippax
1 Stripe Red
Carl Anderson
Tyler Hopkins
Gerald LaMontagne
Stacey Pazienza
PSA pg 10 11-28-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs placed seven players in double figures as they sprinted out to an early lead over Spire Academy from Geneva, Ohio, for a comfortable 106-85 victory. The Mustangs shot out of the gate quickly and never stopped until a Berkan Tuylu inside spin move broke the century mark for the high flying Scientists.
Playing in front of an enthusiastic full house in the tiny PSA gymnasium, the Mustangs responded to the spirit in the bandbox by building a 15-4 lead less than four minutes into the contest. Led by rugged Jordan Butler, who posted 12 points and 14 rebounds and 6-foot, 8-inch Chaise Daniels, who recorded 11 points, the Scientists controlled the boards, which allowed point guard Dan Upchurch to put the PSA machine in high gear and get the running game going full throttle.
Upchurch, who could be nicknamed “up tempo,” led the fast break as he was the Mustangs high scorer with 17 points. In addition to filling the hoop with basketballs, Upchurch dished out a game high 10 assists. Along with Daniels and Butler, Jalen Terry (11 points), Anthony “Bull” Durham (15 points and seven steals), Kyle Menard (12 points) and Dalique Mingo (13 points) were all beneficiaries of the running game.
“The nice thing about this type of game is it puts the team in a positive frame of mind as we get a few days off for the Thanksgiving Day break. The kids have been working hard in practice so this is a reward and a confidence builder,” said coach Tom Espinosa of the runaway win.
The score at halftime had the home team ahead by 19 points, 46-27. Despite the wide margin, Espinosa’s talk at intermission must have hit home as the team never took its foot off the accelerator as it built a lead of more than 30 points before Espo emptied the bench.
There was a brief period midway through the second half when the Mustangs got a little sloppy before they regrouped to finish strongly.
“The 2-3 zone is our bread and butter but what the sloppy play did was show us that we must work on our man-to-man coverage. I’ll take the blame for the defensive breakdown but rest assured we’ll work on man-D this week,” said Espinosa.
The bench players maintained the tempo in the final six minutes of the contest, scoring 15 points while they were on the floor. Also hitting the scoring column were Calveti Nyabingi with six points, Burak Eraslan with four markers, Tuylu and Hacibey Catalbasoglu with two apiece and Ruslan Badalov with a free throw.
“Jordan Butler played like a man tonight. Coming off the bench he gave us a needed boost early with his strong inside play and scoring. All the big men were impressive this evening,” said Espinosa.
Earlier in the week the Mustangs opened the 2013 season in an entirely different game than the home opener. Playing in Tilton, N.H., against a perennially powerful Tilton Academy, PSA produced an 80-78 victory as Dalique Mingo hit a pair of free throws with two ticks remaining on the clock to seal the seat squirmer.
Dan Upchurch had a game-high 20 points to go with his seven assists in the win, while Mingo contributed 16 points. Jordan Butler and Kyle Menard were also in double digits. Butler posted 13 points and eight rebounds, while the rugged Menard had 12 points and six boards.
After two games the Scientists are 2-0 as they look forward to a pair of home games prior to going back on the road. They face Pioneer Academy in back-to-back games at the Maple Street gym on Monday, December 3 (7 p.m.) and Tuesday, December 4 (3:30 p.m.). The following day they travel to Fitchburg, Mass., to take on the always dangerous and loaded Notre Dame Prep.