Quinnipiac pg 9 1-31-13

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Category: Current Issue

By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC Sporty shoutout goes to Thompson’s Shirley Houle who joined the ranks of millions of other octogenarians.  The popular Houle blew out 80 candles on her cake in front of a huge throng of friends and family on hand to help her celebrate at Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club.  Happy Birthday, Shirley!
Tom Moore, the sixth-year head coach of Quinnipiac University, was on hand Jan. 25 at the Putnam Science Academy gym for the Scientists contest against McDuffie School of Springfield.  Moore was there to scout McDuffie’s 6-foot, 8-inch Josh Wilchombe who hails from Elmont, N.Y.
Wilchombe saw limited second half action due to a recent minor knee injury.  Moore however, did not waste the trip from his home in Tolland, as he told RPC that he was very impressed with the play of another McDuffie player, 6-7 Phabian Glasco of Tulsa, Okla.  Despite losing by 10 points to PSA, Glasco was definitely a standout on the court, posting a double-double.
Moore, who won his 100th career game in a recent victory over cross-state rival Central Connecticut State University, is an amicable individual.  Prior to assuming his position at QU, Moore served as an assistant at UConn under coach Jim Calhoun.  In fact, Calhoun was on hand for Moore’s 100th win because CCSU coach Howie Dickenman was also a Calhoun assistant.
Moore’s current Bobcat unit features a pair of Marianapolis graduates, junior Ike Azotam and sophomore Ousmane Drame.  Azotam is Quinnipiac’s go-to guy and recently posted his 25th career double-double in a 58-56 win over Northeast Conference foe Fairleigh Dickinson University.  The 6-9 Drame comes off the bench for coach Moore and provides strong rebounding and steady offense.
“Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame have become a huge part of our success here at Quinnipiac University,” said Moore.  
“Ike has become a consistent scoring and rebounding force in the Northeast Conference.  He emerged as a double/double threat last year as a sophomore and has continued his growth this season as a junior.  He is scoring with his back to the basket and facing up.  He continues to be a terrific rebounder with good instincts and great hands,” noted Moore
“Ousmane Drame continues to improve this season as a sophomore.  He is such a talented offensive player, with great hands and passing ability for a player his size.  He has made strides defensively this year as both a shot blocker and team defender.  He has already had a big impact on a lot of big wins for us in his short time here and he has the potential to be one of the best big guys to ever play here at Quinnipiac,” Moore added.
Quinnipiac is 8-12 overall and 4-4 in the NEC behind the play of Azotam and Drame.  The pair played at Marianapolis for former coach Dave Vitale and current head mentor Andrew Vitale, who was an assistant at the time.      
Proud Grandparents…
Spotted in the crowd at the Assumption College vs. Franklin Pierce University women’s basketball game were Killingly residents Bob and Charlotte Picard.  They were on hand to cheer for their granddaughter, Ashley Forand, a freshman on the Ravens team. Forand, who comes from Storrs, is a former standout at E.O. Smith High School.  Also in the stands were her parents Scott and Sandy Forand and another Putnam friend Roger Franklin.
Unfortunately for Ashley and her fellow Ravens and her rooting section, Franklin Pierce lost to the 12-5 Assumption Lady Greyhounds.
Get Well Wishes…
Two of northeastern Connecticut’s truly good sports are home recuperating from recent visits to local hospitals.  Chad Neal of Putnam and Sam Markley of Dayville were hospitalized but are happily back in the Quiet Corner.
Markley made a trip to UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where he was treated for a cardiac-related issue.  He is back at his Alexander’s Lake home and smiling after what he termed as, “professional care from a very friendly and caring staff.”  Send Sam a card of encouragement at his 102 Island Road, Dayville, CT 06241 address.
Neal, the head football coach of the Killingly Redmen, was in Boston at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s for a surgical procedure.  He is home and would love to hear from his friends at his address, 20 Pleasant St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Both Neal and Markley are in great spirits and are itching to be active on Sports St. in the very near future.
Proud Teacher…
Putnam resident Joe Basinet, a retired teacher and administrator of the Fessenden School in West Newton, Mass., is proud of the fact that one of his former students may soon become the Secretary of State of the United States of America.
Basinet, who was a longtime educator at Fessenden, was proud to share the news of his former student Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who President Barack Obama has nominated to become Secretary of State to succeed Hilary Clinton.  
Fessenden is a Pre-K through 9 school for boys.  Its mission is to teach, nurture and celebrate growing boys while striving to develop balance in mind, heart and body.
As a young man growing up in Putnam, Joe Basinet, known to his friends as “Baz” was an active athletic individual.  In the days when St. Mary parish ran a very active summer camp for boys and girls in Woodstock, Joe Basinet was a main cog in its success.  There are still many local people who have fond memories of St. Mary’s Camp, either as a participant or a counselor.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: In gaining things that matter least, be certain you don’t lose the things that matter most.