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PSA suffers first loss
By Ron P. Coderre
The start of the boys’ and girls’ high school basketball season is right around the corner now that the footballs have been stored away for another season. The local prep schools are in full swing and will pack in as many games as possible prior to the Christmas break.
Putnam Science Academy had a visit from its sister school, Pioneer Academy of Wayne, N.J., last week. The Eagles, who are coached by former Wheaton College product Robert Hoffman, are a fledgling program with only two seasons of varsity play under their belt.
The Mustangs enjoyed the opportunity to put their offense on full throttle, racing past the visitors 109-64 and 113-77 in contests played on back-to-back days. Five players posted double figure numbers in the opening victory, led by “the Alaskan husky” 6-foot, 7-inch Jalen Terry who had 25 points. The following day Anthony “Bull” Durham was hotter than a firecracker on 4th of July as he poured in 38 points, hitting shots from every possible angle. Danny “Up-tempo” Upchurch contributed 15 points and dished out a dozen assists for the Scientists.
After feasting on the Eagles, the Mustangs traveled to Massachusetts for an encounter with perennial power Notre Dame Academy. The two teams are ranked in the prep Top-10 in the nation. Unfortunately for the Scientists a basket at the buzzer in regulation by Detrick Mostella forced the contest into overtime, robbing the visitors of what should have been an impressive victory.
Mostella continued his hot shooting in the overtime leading Notre Dame to a 97-91 disputed victory. He finished with 22 points on the evening.
Upchuch with 23 points and 14 assists paced PSA, which placed five players in double-digits. Jordan Butler had a strong game posting 11 points and 11 boards, while Durham had 21 markers, Mingo 19 and Terry 15.
The Mustangs got back on the winning track with a 72-48 win over masters in a game on the road. PSA, which led 36-21 at Halftime placed five players in double figures. Durham and Dalique Mingo with 13 points apiece were the high scorers for coach Tom Espinosa’s 5-1 Scientists.
Marianapolis Gets Off to Rough Start
The Marianapolis Prep Golden Knights of coach Andrew Vitale started the season on a sour note, losing back-to-back contests in games they felt could easily have be in the win column. Playing its opener without the services of starter Bobby Ahern, benched for a disciplinary matter, the Knights were dropped 66-62 in front of the home crowd by Hoosac School. The visitors, from Hoosick, N.Y., known more as a hockey school, led 36-25 at intermission and hung on to post the big win.
The Knights had three players in double figures, led by Eric D’Aguanno with 14, followed by Eric Long (12) and Devin Springfield (10). The second setback came at the hands of Coastal Academy in a game played in Barrington, R.I., where the Knights were dropped 51-44. D’Aguanno once against led the scoring with 14 points followed by Long, who had a dozen to go with 11 rebounds for 0-2 Marianapolis.
The Marianapolis II unit got off to a 2-0 start beating Williams School 58-28 and following that victory with a 63-30 win over Falmouth Academy. Steady Art Lachik had 10 points, seven boards and six steals for the Knights, while Dylan Horn was the team’s high scorer with 17 in the win over Falmouth.
In the win over Williams in a contest played in the Whaling City of New London, Lachik poured in 27 markers to go with his game high 12 assists. Austin Miller added 13 points in the win.
Marianapolis Women Impressive in Opener
Under new head coach Lauren Moore and with its initial venture into Varsity I competition, the Marianapolis Lady Knights stepped out in stunning fashion posting a 59-46 victory over Worcester Academy.
Marianapolis, which led by only two 22-20 at halftime, turned up the defensive thermostat in the second half to pull away for the win. Caroline Soucy was the team’s high scorer with 17 points as three players got into double figures. Madison Springfield had 15 points while former Wachusett Regional standout Rachel Aho chipped in 10. Post-graduate Nicole Viselli, who is headed to Post University next season, had five points but was the catalyst on defense for coach Moore.
The Marianapolis Varsity II program had a difficult time finding its way to the basket as they dropped their first two contests. The Lady Kinghts lost their opener to Lincoln School 44-6 and were beaten by Williams School 34-27. Katie Pangiouto was the Marianapolis high scorer in the Williams contest with eight points.
Season Underway for Hyde Men and Women
The Hyde-Woodstock Wolfpack of coach Tom Bragg ventured up to Bath, Maine, to play in the James Roman Tournament and emerged from the two-game set with the tourney crown. Kenny Grant, who had 16 points in the 58-25 title game victory over Landmark, was named the event’s Most Valuable Player.
Hyde opened the tourney with a 52-41 victory over Kents Hill. The winners were paced by Dexter Thompson’s 16 points. He was joined in double figures by Damon Gomes (15) and Fedja Durisic (13)
The Hyde-Woodstock women split their two-game set in the Aliegh Mills tournament winning the consolation contest against Hebron Academy 38-21 after falling in the opening round 37-30 to Kents Hill. Janicha Diaz with 17 points and Dossou Ndiaye with 14 led the way to the consolation round win. Ndiaye with 12 points was the high scorer in the loss to Kents Hill.