No pg 7 1-24-13
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caption:
Bradley Show
The Bradley Playhouse will present "No Sex Please ... We're British" starting Feb. 1. Left to right, during rehearsal, are: David Hopcroft, Sheila Harrington-Hughes, Robert Latino and Catie Botting. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Now that the holidays are over and the New England winter has settled in, everyone can use some laughter. The TNECT ‘s Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present its first show of the 2013 season, the madcap British farce “No Sex Please… We’re British.” The play, written by Anthony Marriott and Alistair Foot, opens Feb. 1 and runs for three weekends.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 3, 10 and 17. Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for seniors and students.
Anyone who has ever tried to hide something unpleasant only to have it blow up in their face can relate to No Sex Please …We’re British. When a new bride sends a mail order for some Scandinavian glassware and what shows up is Scandinavian pornography, she, her bank manager husband and his assistant have to deal with a veritable flood of photographs, films and eventually girls. The matter is considerably complicated by her mother-in-law, her husband’s boss, a visiting bank inspector and the police superintendent.
The TNECT production of No Sex Please…We’re British is directed by Paul Neuhardt and assistant director Trish Young Neuhardt. Robert Latino is Peter, the husband, and Catie Botting is his wife, Frances. The hapless chief cashier, Brian, is played by David Smith. Sheila Harrington-Hughes is mother Eleanor and David Hopcroft appears as Peter’s boss Mr. Bromhead. Jim Weigel is the bank inspector and Don Gibbs plays the police superintendent. The cast is completed by Sharon Starr, Becky Proseus and Eric Moberg.
This year, the Bradley Playhouse will institute reserved seating to make your theater-going experience more enjoyable. When you make your reservation, you will also select your seat, either a specific seat or “best available”. Seating charts are available online or at the theater. All tickets will be purchased directly through the Bradley, either online, over the phone or in person at the theater box office.
Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance or at the door when you come to the show. Reservations are recommended but tickets will be available at the door.
Obituaries pg 8 1-24-13
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Richard Phaneuf,
Korean war vet
WOODSTOCK — Richard Phaneuf Sr., 77, of Ojala Road, died Jan. 15, 2013, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Boies )Phaneuf.
Born in 1935 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Laurence and Alice (LeClaire) Phaneuf and was a graduate of the Woodstock Academy Class of 1953.
Mr. Phaneuf was a veteran of the Korean war serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Phaneuf was employed as a mechanic at Louie’s Garage. After returning home from the Korean war he worked for his father’s plumbing and heating company prior to founding his own company, Rocky Hill Plumbing, Heating, and Electric. Mr. Phaneuf enjoyed rebuilding tractors, hunting, fishing, and tinkering and fixing things, but, above all spending time at his camp that he built in Dexter, Maine.
Mr. Phaneuf was a member of the American Legion Post 111 in Woodstock, Putnam Fish and game, and in the ‘70s and ‘80s he was active in several local area Beagle Clubs.
In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Richard Phaneuf (Mary Ann) of Woodstock, Raymond Phaneuf (Carol) of Woodstock; daughter Lori Gaudette (Armond) of Brooklyn; a brother Bernard Phaneuf (Janice) of Woodstock; sister Constance Black of E. Hartford; two sister in laws Janet Phaneuf of Putnam and Esther Phaneuf of Woodstock; a step daughter Kathie Duke (John) of Gardner, Mass.; grandchildren including Melanie and Holly; great grandchildren, and his special kitty Penelope. He was predeceased by two brothers Lawrence Phaneuf Jr, and Robert Phaneuf and a sister Genevieve Phaneuf.
The Funeral was Jan. 22 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Windham County 4H Camp, 326 Taft Pond Rd., Pomfret Center, CT 06259.
Rebecca Kuszewski
THOMPSON — Rebecca M. Kuszewski, 62, of Thompson, formerly of Woodstock, died Jan. 17, 2013, at home. She was the wife of Bernie Kuszewski. They were married Sept. 9, 1972.
She was born March 11, 1950, in Putnam, daughter of the late Perne R. and Alice (Smith) Maynard.
She was a founding member of The Tri-State Cruisers. Rebecca and her husband loved to camp, to travel and wintered in Florida. Her favorite trips were to the Canadian Rockies and Switzerland.
She was a systems operator for 30 years at Day Kimball Hospital.
She leaves her husband Bernie R. Kuszewski; brothers Perne Robert Maynard (Fran) of Tolland, Thomas Maynard of Macon, Ga.; nieces and nephews and her dog Tinker Bell.
Burial in the spring in Grove Street Cemetery. A Celebration of her Life will be at a later date. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Alice (LaFleur) Bruce
PUTNAM — Alice A. (LaFleur) Bruce, died Jan. 19, 2013, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home. Born in 1924 in Goodyear, she was one of 17 children born to the late Adolph and Rose LaFleur.
Alice was a homemaker and an active communicant of St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Putnam.
She leaves two sons, Jack D. Bruce and Billy Bruce; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Edith, Alice, Gary and Scott.
Visitation is at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 24 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Burial follows in St. Mary Cemetery.
Olga Christina
Kallgren Johnson
WOODSTOCK — Olga Christina Kallgren Johnson died Jan. 14, 2013.
She was born Dec. 14, 1918, in Woodstock, daughter of K. Josef & Clara (Peterson) Kallgren. She married Axel Johnson on Sept. 21, 1940, and they spent most of their life in Woodstock. They moved to Covenant Village of Cromwell in 2009.
A graduate of Woodstock Academy and the Franklin School of Science & Arts in Philadelphia where she received the recognition of top graduating student she was employed as a medical technologist by the Hubbard Hospital in Webster and later by Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was a long time member of the Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church where she served in the nursery, and on the Flower Committee and Building Committee.
She leaves a son, Richard (Kristen) of Dunbarton, N.H.; a daughter Barbara Barnes (Jay) of Arden Hills, Minn.; six grandchildren and their spouses and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Axel, her husband of 70-plus years; two brothers and one sister.
A Memorial Service was Jan. 19 in The Evangelical Covenant Church of Woodstock. Donations: The Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 Child Hill Road, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Dorothy Brewster
Baton Paquette
ASHFORD — Dorothy Brewster Baton Paquette, 84 of Tremko Lane, Ashford, formerly of Brooklyn, died Jan. 15, 2013, at Hartford Hospital. She was the wife of Oliver Paquette. They were married June 28, 1981. Her first husband Joseph Baton died Aug. 11, 1979.
She was born July 11, 1928, in Danielson, daughter of the late Arthur J. and Amelia (Bodo) Brewster.
She was a graduate of the Killingly High School Class of 1946. Dorothy was employed by SNET for 15 years as an operator. She also worked for the Mansfield Training School as a charge aide for 13 years. Dorothy was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson and St. Philip the Apostle Church in Ashford. She was an active member of the Ashford Senior Center for many years.
She leaves in addition to her husband Oliver; a son Craig L. Baton of Willimantic; a daughter Lauren Beaupre (Galen) of Ashford; a daughter-in-law Carli Baton of N. Windham; five grandchildren, a niece and three nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph, her son Keith Allen Baton and sister Eva Peloquin Gladu.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 19 in St. James Church, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: American Heart Association, PO Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Michael R. Kieltyka,
insurance adjustor
BROOKLYN — Michael Robert Kieltyka, 48, of Brooklyn died Jan. 18, 2013, at Hartford Hospital in Hartford.
He was born Sept. 8, 1964, in Putnam, son of Mary (Weaver) Kieltyka of Dayville and the late Robert Kieltyka. He was the husband of LeeAnn (Beaudreault) Kieltyka; they were married at St. James Church on Sept. 19, 1992.
Michael was a graduate of Killingly High School Class of 1982 where he was a member of the 1981 State Championship Football Team, a graduate of QVCC in 1998 and Eastern CT State University in 2001. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and worked in construction for many years, most recently working as an insurance adjustor. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. Michael was very involved in his daughter’s soccer activities and was an avid UConn, Celtics, Red Sox and New England Patriot fan and loved his yearly Caribbean vacations.
Besides his wife and mother he leaves his daughter Erin Kieltyka of Brooklyn; sisters, Jane Kieltyka Simao (David) of Tolland and Karen Kieltyka Brown (Christopher) of W. Newton, Mass.; brother Ron Kieltyka and Cindi Kasek of Danielson; mother and father-in-law, Leo and Sharon Beaudreault of Danielson, brothers-in-law Joe Beaudreault and wife Kerri and Leo Beaudreault Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 22 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: The Erin Kieltyka College Education Fund c/o Putnam Bank, 40 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Lucille Marcella
(Currier) Baker
DANIELSON — Lucille Marcella (Currier) Baker, 94, died Jan. 17, 2013, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brooklyn.
She was a former resident of Westfield Village, Danielson. Lucille was born Oct. 7, 1918, in New London, the second daughter of Marie S. and John B. Currier and grew up in Groton. She was the wife of the late Robert Patten Baker Sr.
She was a 1935 graduate of Fitch High School in Groton. Before her marriage and shortly after Lucille worked at Electric Boat in Groton as a Blueprint Tracer, a trade of which she was particularly proud. Later after moving to Danielson she worked in the Bugbee Memorial Library in Danielson and especially enjoyed her last employment of 14 years as a grandmother mentor to young children at the Goodyear School in Rogers.
The wintered at Saddlebag Lake Resort, Lake Wales, Fla.
She leaves four sons, Robert P. Baker Jr. (Isabel) of Brooklyn, William W. Baker (Maureen) of Putnam, Michael F. Baker (Marcia) of Dayville and Mark B. Baker (Gudrun) of Monroe, Ga.; one older brother John Currier of W. Melbourne, Fla.; eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by an infant daughter Bobbie Lu and two sisters, Helen Sylvester and Betsy Faggion.
Donations: Charity of your choice or Goodyear School, 22 Williamsville Road, Rogers, CT 06263. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Dorothy Bowers,
church member
DUDLEY — Dorothy M. Bowers, 92, died Jan. 18 ,2013, in Christopher House, Worcester. Her husband of 70 years, Robert B. Bowers died in 2010.
She was born in Audubon, N.J., the daughter of the late Melvin G and Mary Etta (Laurie) Chew.She lived in Runnemede, N.J., for 89 years. She was a member of Bellmawr Baptist Church in Bellmawr, N.J.
She leaves one daughter: Susan Spinney (Dennis) of Dudley; daughter-in-law, Becky Bowers of Longbeach, Calif.; three grandchildren, Johnathan Spinny, Joel Spinny and Sarah Steup; six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Robert A. Bowers; brother, Carlton Chew and sister Marie Brennan.
The Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 26 in Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley, with burial in Waldron Cemetery, Dudley. Calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 26. Donations: Thompson Bible Fellowship Church, PO Box 619, Quinebaug CT. 06262.
Dorothy Chickering
SPENCER, Mass. — Dorothy A. (Conrad) Chickering, 56, died WJan. 16, 2013, at home.
She was born in Chicago, daughter of the late Raymond Sr. and Millicent (Swan) Conrad. She lived in Sturbridge most of her life, moving to Spencer one year ago. She was formerly employed at the OFS Fitell Fiber Optics Company as a technician. She loved to crochet and to read.
She leaves a son, Nathan Chickering (Patricia) of Southbridge; three daughters, Claire Williams (Russell) of Woodstock, Colleen Chickering of E. Brookfield, Mass., Morgan Chickering-Cronican (Patrick) of Spencer; three brothers, Richard Anderson of Pennsylvania, Raymond Conrad Jr. of Delaware and William Conrad of New York; three sisters, Connie Grzembski of Florida, Ellen Lincourt of Worcester and Hope Wilson of Southbridge; five grandchildren.
The Funeral will be at noon Feb. 2 in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Southbridge. Donations: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 446 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Madeleine Plasse
WEBSTER — Madeleine D. (Choiniere) (Korch) Plasse, 80, died Jan. 17, 2013, in the Webster Manor. Her husband of 35 years, Emile Plasse died in 2002. Her first husband Leonard Korch Sr. died in 1962.
She was born in Webster, daughter of the late Louis and Avelina (DesJardins) Choiniere. She graduated from the commercial program at St. Anne School. She worked many years at Bates Shoe and the American Optical. Maggie loved to cook and was known for making a delicious French meat pie (tourtière). She enjoyed crocheting.
She leaves two sons: Leonard Korch Jr. (Deborah) of Northbridge, Christopher Plasse (Barbara) of Woodstock; four daughters: Sharon Troy of Dudley, Debra Korch (Keith) of Sturbridge, Sandra Plasse of Dudley and Lisa Kontoes (Greg); seven grandchildren; five step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Jean-Paul Choiniere, and her sister, Lucille Choiniere.
The Funeral Mass was Jan. 22 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
Kaye Manyak
N. GROSVENORDALE — Kaye G. (Morton) Manyak, formerly of E. Douglas, Mass., died Jan. 13, 2013, at home.
She was born Feb. 9, 1943, in Glasgow, Scotland, and was the only child of the late Hector and Euphemia Morton.
Before retiring in 2006, Kaye had worked as a medical office manager and previous to that was a toll collector for the Mass Pike. She was a member of St. Denis Church in E.Douglas.
Kaye enjoyed vacationing in Aruba and was Blue Ribbon and Best of Show Ribbon winner of the Woodstock Fair for her meticulous Irish Knit Sweaters.
Kaye leaves her husband of 24 years, Richard A. Manyak of N. Grosvenordale; children, Angie Mungham-Milestone (Walter) of Thompson, Iainn Morton (Sheila) of Pittsburgh, and Sarah Lombard of Worcester; three grandchildren.
Donations: Hospice of NE CT, Pomfret Street, Putnam, CT 06260; or at Wolfhaven.org. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Lillian Paris
WEBSTER — Lillian S. (MacDougall) Paris, 83, of Golden Heights, died Jan. 19, 2013, in UMass/Memorial Healthcare, Worcester. Her husband, Maurice J. Paris, died in 1998.
She was born and raised in N. Grafton, Mass., one of the nine children of James and Annie (Steele) MacDougall. She graduated from Grafton High School. She moved to Webster in 1950.
Mrs. Paris was a weaver at Anglo Fabrics, at Stevens Linen Associates in Dudley and at Wauregan Mills, retiring in 1985.
She was an active member of the Church of the Reconciliation. She was once a member of the vestry, a member of the deanery, the superintendent of the church’s Sunday school for several years and a member of the choir. She also enjoyed organizing church fund-raisers over the years. She was a member and past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Nokomis Chapter 128 and belonged to the Past Matron Association of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Quinnatisset Grange in Thompson and also the Amarthan Association in Brooklyn, N.Y.
She leaves a son, James R. Arsenault (Susan) of Pomfret; six grandchildren, Jesse Arsenault (Crystal), Melissa, Jimmy, Jenna, Sara and Joanne Arsenault; three great-grandchildren; a brother, John MacDougall of Grafton; a sister, Janet Quermit of Williamsport, Penn. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas A. Arsenault; daughter, Sally Anne Gibbons; four brother sand two sisters.
A Funeral Service was Jan. 23 in the Church of the Reconciliation, with burial in Mount Zion Cemetery. Donations: Church of the Reconciliation, 5 North Main St., Webster, MA 01570.Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.
Joanne Payne
GRANBURY, Texas — Joanne Frances Payne, 74, died Jan. 19, 2013, in Granbury.
Joanne was born Jan. 27, 1938, in Putnam, to John and Rita Berniegn Florin. She retired to Lake Granbury for a little peace of Heaven and loved to be on the lake watching the ducks.
She leaves a son, John Andrews and companion, Peggy Belt; grandchildren, Paula Shelly and Danielle Andrews; great-grandchildren, Angela and Amber; companion, Delbert Tallman.
Theresa St.Hilaire
PUTNAM — Theresa B. (Carpenter) St.Hilaire, 87, died Jan. 16, 2013, in
Day Kimball Hospital. Her husband of 53 years, Arthur J. St.Hilaire, died in 1997.
She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Charles and Marie (Roy) Carpenter. She moved to N. Grosvenordale in 1960 and to Putnam last year.
Mrs. St.Hilaire was a cosmetologist at Vogue Style Salon and then at Elite Hair Design, both in Worcester, for 30 years before retiring in 1984. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Webster, its Ladies of St. Anne, and the Webster Senior Center. She enjoyed archery and was a former member of the Bay Path Archers of Southbridge and also the New England Archers Association, winning several championships in their competitions.
She leaves a son, Richard P. St.Hilaire of Thompson; a granddaughter, Karen St.Hilaire of Beverly, Mass.
A Memorial Mass was Jan. 21 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Donations: Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 18 East Main St., Webster, MA 01570; or to the Oncology Department at St. Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer St., Worcester, MA 01608. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.
Coach - RPC pg 9 1-24-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s sporty shout out goes to another loyal reader Cheyenne Robertson of Putnam. She’s one of the friendly wait staff who graces the customers at Someplace Special Restaurant with her infectious smile and friendly personality.
Milestones in life and more specifically in sports are generally greeted with fanfare of some sort. Unfortunately Putnam Science Academy head basketball coach Tom Espinosa saw a milestone pass without any recognition at all.
Entering the 2012-2013 basketball seasons, Espinosa the only coach in PSA’s brief varsity history had a record of 95-37. He was only five games shy of reaching the century mark. The season began rather dismally for the Mustangs but a recent four-game winning streak has helped propel Espinosa over the 100 career victory mark.
The Scientists play the majority of their games on the road for two reasons. The schedule that Espinosa arranges for his team forces the team to travel to other schools if they wish to upgrade the competition. And since they don’t belong to a formal conference yet, they’ve become a “travelling team.” The other reason is that the PSA gym is rather tiny for the Mustangs fast paced style of play and the spectator accommodations on Maple St. are rather Spartan. So Espinosa reached his milestone on the road.
Espinosa had to be satisfied with picking up win #100 in New York at the Legendz Invitational Tournament when the Scientists handed him his milestone with a win over Satellite Academy. A recent win over Lee Academy gave Espo 104 career wins, but who’s counting?
Espinosa, a graduate of Worcester State University, where he served as captain of the Lancers for two seasons, has a solid coaching background. Prior to assuming the varsity role at PSA he served stints as an assistant at Putnam under coach Tony Falzarano and at Marianapolis under coach Dave Vitale. His apprenticeships under these two experienced veterans paved the way for his success. It’s now on to #200 for Coach Tom Espinosa.
Putnam Grad Working at MIT…
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is generally considered the top engineering school in the U.S. A little known fact outside of Boston and Cambridge is that the Engineers also boasted a solid football teams in the NCAA Division III last season.
Working as an assistant coach at MIT for his first season was former Putnam High School quarterback Nick Perron. His main duty with the Engineers under head coach Chad Martinovich was coaching the wide receivers. The team, which competes in the New England Football Conference, posted a winning record of 5-4. This was a significant achievement for a team that had won a total of four games over the previous three seasons.
Perron’s coaching bio includes his time as a standout player a Nichols College where he lettered for three seasons. He was a wide receiver for two seasons and was the Bison quarterback his senior year. That season he set a school record with three touchdown passes in one game. Perron also had a stint as assistant coach at Killingly High School, where he served as offensive coordinator. He’s currently employed at MIT, working with Recreation as Membership Services Associate.
Empowering Young Women…
A trio of young women was the guest speakers at the Putnam Rotary Club on Jan. 17. The group, from Woodstock Academy, presented a program entitled “Empowering Young Women,” which is a confidence building experience for female students at Woodstock.
Leading the program was Guidance Department faculty member Amanda Rice and her team partner, guidance counselor Val Carr. Sarah Owen, a student, spoke of her experiences in the program and what it meant to her and the many other young ladies who participate.
Rice and Carr are avid runners, who spend some off time together on long runs prepping for local races. A coincidental occurrence was noted when Rotarian Paul Dery, a former teacher and cross country coach at Tourtellotte, informed the gathering that he coached Carr when she was a student/athlete for the Tigers. Carr, a lifetime runner, served as captain of Dery’s team in her senior year.
Letters, We Get Letters…
This week’s snail mail correspondence came in the form of an anonymous very compassionate American Greetings card of condolence. Simply stated, the card read, “Thinking of you, with deepest sympathy.” It was signed in majestic hand writing “Roll Tide Bama #15.”
Assuming that the card came in reference to the University of Alabama’s championship game victory over Notre Dame on January 7, we are most grateful for the words of sympathy. Never boastful in victory, we remain humble in defeat.
Passing of a Legend…
I don’t know for certain whether I ever met Laurent “Larry” Bouley Sr. personally. If I did it was probably thanks to my late friends from Moosup, George Dropo or Gerry “Hooker” Carroll.
I read Bouley’s obituary this week and the cobwebs started clearing up but they’re still somewhat fuzzy as I put these words on paper. Bouley came from a renowned Jewett City athletic family and his history as an athlete and an American is quite impressive.
Bouley attended Norwich Free Academy and LaSalle Military Academy on Long Island. I suspect he went to school on Long Island to prepare for admission to Boston College. He went to BC, following in the footsteps of his brother Gil Bouley, who was a standout tackle on a team that featured Mike Holovak at fullback. Holovak later went on to coach the Boston Patriots. In January 1943 the Eagles, with Holovak and the two Bouleys, played in the Orange Bowl and lost to Alabama.
Like many athletes of his day, Bouley enlisted in the Army after the Orange Bowl game and served in the infantry in WWII. At the end of the war Bouley enrolled at the University of Georgia where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. While playing for the Dawgs, Bouley participated in the Oil Bowl, Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl. In four years of collegiate athletics he played in four Bowl games, quite a feat in any era.
In later life he was inducted into a number of athletic and education Halls of Fame. Bouley remained loyal to his home town of Jewett City, where he was spiritually involved with St Mary’s Roman Catholic Parish.
He died quietly on Jan. 15, two months short of his 90th birthday. He’s now in a place where he is likely meeting many of his friends and former teammates.
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: If you look like your passport photo, you need the trip.
Horse pg 9 1-24-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
At approximately the halfway point of both the boys’ and girls’ basketball season, the teams are jockeying for position as they come down the back stretch and prepare for the turn, to steal from horse racing terminology.
In the boys’ Super Conference standings, Woodstock Academy and Marianapolis Prep are battling for the top spot but the sudden winning streak by Putnam Science Academy has bolted them into contention for the lead. Hyde-Woodstock, Plainfield, Pomfret and surprising Tourtellotte all appear comfortable in the middle of the pack. Killingly, Putnam and Ellis Tech are taking up the rear.
Woodstock with 10 wins has qualified for the State Tournament, while it continues in the top spot in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division. The Centaurs are facing a crucial test on Friday, when the New London Whalers sail into the former New Roxbury. Plainfield under veteran coach Bob Arremony is poised to qualify for the States, while Tourtellotte appears to be making a move, realizing that time is now of the essence.
On the distaff side of the ledger Pomfret continues to pile on the victories as the addition of Morgan Olander is reminiscent of two years ago when Ketia Zenab, currently playing for NCAA Division I Yale, appeared on the scene in bucolic Pomfret. Marianapolis despite moving up a class in the preps is showing that it’s legitimate with a solid 10-4 log.
Putnam girls, the schools only winning program, under Coach Willie Bousquet continue to sail along at 10-3. The Clippers along with Plainfield (9-4) have qualified for the States. Woodstock Academy with a tough stretch of games ahead appears to be a dark horse to qualify for the postseason.
The final month of action should prove very eventful for the teams and those loyal fans that enjoy the competitiveness of schoolboy (and girl) basketball.
Scoring Races
Woodstock Academy’s Ian Converse widened his scoring lead in the boys’ race maintaining an even 22 points per game average. Tourtellotte’s Kaevon Safford dropped down to 20.9 points per game but is being seriously threatened for the second spot by University of Dayton bound Dayshon Smith of Putnam Science Academy who upped his average to 19.3 ppg. Ryan Pambuku of Plainfield remains in the fourth spot at an even 18 points per contest.
Two PSA Scientists are in the lead in the 3-point field goal race. Jonte Rutty is on top with 48 from beyond the arc well ahead of his teammate Dayshon Smith who has 33 treys. Ryan Pambuku is in a tight race with Marianapolis’ Eric D’Aguanno for third place. Pambuku has 30 and D’Aguanno 29.
The female scoring leaders remained stable with Hyde-Woodstock’s Cashmir Sulcher seeing her leading edge reduced to .8 of a point over Plainfield’s Morgan Griffin. Sulcher is scoring at a 17.8 pace while Griffin is checking in at an even 17 points a contest. Pomfret’s Morgan Olander moved into the Top Five, occupying the fifth spot at 14.3 points per games.
Putnam’s Monica Phongsa is maintaining her position as the top three-point shooter, hitting 22 from beyond the arc. Adrienne Lorange and Haley Beausoleil of Plainfield are second and third with 18 and 15 treys respectively.
Boys Scoring Leaders
Ian Converse, Woodstock 22.0
Kaevon Stafford, Tourtellotte 20.9
Dayshon Smith, PSA 19.3
Ryan Pambuku, Plainfield 18.0
Three-Point Leaders
Jonte Rutty, PSA 48
Dayshon Smith, PSA 33
Ryan Pambuku, Plainfield 30
Eric D’Aguanno, Marianapolis 29
Devon Willard, Killingly 28
Stephon Edmonds, Marianapolis 22
Jemal Mosley, PSA 22
Girls Scoring Leaders
Cashmir Sulcher, Hyde-Woodstock 17.8
Morgan Griffin, Plainfield 17.0
Janicha Diaz, Hyde-Woodstock 15.8
Ashley Espinosa, Putnam 15.3
Morgan Olander, Pomfret 14.3
Three Point Leaders
Monica Phongsa, Putnam 22
Adrienne Lorange, Plainfield 18
Haley Beausoleil, Plainfield 15
Notes
Woodstock Academy moved up a notch in the New Haven Register media poll going from ninth to eight place this week. That perch appears to be precarious with the Centaurs recent one-point loss at the hands of the Windham Whippets… Sydney LaTour a four year starter at Marianapolis for Coach Charlie Baron reached the 1000-point career plateau when she led the Lady Knights to victory over Westminster with a 20 point scoring barrage… Plainfield’s Morgan Griffin is currently at 906 career markers …Returning to the hardwood following the holiday hiatus the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs were struggling to reach the .500 mark. That was cured by a four game winning streak that jumped Coach Tom Espinosa’s charges to 9-6 …An interested spectator in the Fieldhouse at Woodstock for the Centaurs contest against Windham was Marianapolis coach Andrew Vitale. The rumor swirling around was that he was there to see the Whippets Kendall Marquez, who may be a candidate for a prep postgraduate stint next year …Despite the fact that Marquez is the poster boy for Windham; his teammate Julian Sanchez is silently impressing. Sanchez led the upset victory over Woodstock and followed that up with a 24 point performance in an easy win over Killingly …Former area players continue to shine in college. Ike Azotam, recently of Marianapolis is now the top performer at 6-11 Quinnipiac University. In a recent overtime win against St. Francis (PA), Azotam posted his 23rd career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. His teammate Ousmane Drame, also a former Golden Knight, chipped in 10 markers and four boards in the win …At Sacred heart University former Killingly standout Shane Gibson leads SHU (5-11) in scoring. He posted 27 points in a loss to NEC foe Robert Morris …Who is Mike Benkowski? The rugged Tourtellotte Tiger sub posted his career best numbers in a win over Lyman. “Big Ben” had 10 points and a humungous rebounding performance with 15 caroms. That should get him more playing time.
RPC’s Super Conference Standings
Boys:
Woodstock 10-1; Marianapolis 11-3; PSA 9-6; Hyde Woodstock 7-7; Pomfret 6-5; Tourtellotte 5-6; Killingly 2-11; Putnam 2-8; Ellis Tech 2-10.
Girls:
Pomfret School 12-1; Putnam 10-3; Marianapolis 10-4; Plainfield 9-4; Plainfield 7-4; Hyde-Woodstock 7-2; Woodstock Academy 5-9; Tourtellotte 3-9; Killingly 4-8; Ellis Tech 1-11