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Guarding

Cody White of Putnam, a security agent at MAPFRE, guards the 2013 World Series trophy with Red Sox mascot “Wally the Green Monster.” Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to James Frost, owner of the Courthouse Restaurant in Putnam.  Frost is a former Putnam High School football lineman.  Today he confines his athletic endeavors to golf and occasionally riding his bicycle.

Working in security can often be a lonesome job.  Making rounds on off hours.  Very few people to interact with on evening and overnight shifts.  But sometimes an event comes along that is a lifetime moment that will be etched in ones memory forever.  Just such a moment occurred recently for Putnam resident Cody White.

White, who is a 2010 graduate of H.H. Ellis Technical School in Dayville, is currently employed in security at MAPFRE (the former Commerce Insurance) in Webster, Mass.  The company recently had a distinguished visitor at its location.  Wally the Green Monster, the mascot of the Boston Red Sox and a very good friend of Jerry Remy, was at MAPFRE for a visit.  Wally was accompanied by a treasure that not many folks get the opportunity to see in person, the Red Sox 2013 World Series trophy.

While the trophy was at MAPFRE, one of the Red Sox major sponsors, White was assigned to guard the precious award and protect Wally from the many fans who wanted to get a piece of their hero.  According to White, this is one of the benefits that comes along only rarely in his type of work.  But he took it all in stride, like a pro, much like Wally.

When he was at Ellis Tech, White was a member of the Eagles wrestling team.  He is a black belt in tang soo do and a member of the Putnam Fire Department.

Recently White was a patient at Day Kimball Hospital where he underwent a successful planned shoulder surgery, which was not related to the “man hug” he received from his new found friend, Wally the Green Monster.

Coaches In The House

The success of the Putnam Science Academy basketball team has been attracting coaches from throughout the region and the country to the Mustangs’ gym.  On Jan. 10 the team entertained Believe Prep from South Carolina.  One of the spectators in the crowded bandbox was Providence College coach Ed Cooley.

According to reports, Cooley was there to scout one of the guards from the Rock Hill, S.C., team but walked out being more impressed with one of the Believe big men.  The Scientists won the game over Believe, which was ranked 12th in the nation, by a 105-77 margin.  Maybe Cooley should have been looking at some of the Putnam Science Academy players instead.

Also on hand was Assumption College assistant coach Dan Wendt a graduate of Chaminade in Hawaii.  According to word around the Worcester campus, the Greyhounds are interested in the Scientists’ 6-foot, 4-inch Anthony “Bull” Durham who comes from Philadelphia.  Wendt also alluded that they think very highly of 6-7 Jalen “The Alaskan Husky” Terry.  Durham is a player who can handle the rock and shoots it well.  He’s capable of playing guard or small forward.  Terry shoots the ball from beyond the arc well for a big man and is a rugged rebounder.

UConn Husky On The Bench

The young ladies from Marianapolis who play for coach Lauren Moore are fortunate to play for an individual who brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Golden Knights program.  There’s also an added bonus for playing in the Marianapolis girls’ program.

Heather Buck, the former UConn Husky, has been working with the team as an assistant coach as her time allows.  Buck has been conveying techniques, especially defense and inside play, she learned from coach Geno Auriemma during her five seasons on the team.

Buck, who hails from Stonington, was the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year when she was a senior for the Bears.  As a high school player she scored more than 2000 points during her career.  Although relegated to a substitute role at UConn during her time at Storrs, she did have some moments where she played key minutes in games that kept the team’s record winning streak alive.

A magna cum laude graduate, Buck is currently working as a nurse.  She recently became engaged to her fiancé, whom we understand was a football player for the Huskies.

Spotted In The Crowd

When the University of New Haven Chargers visited Worcester to play Assumption College a large contingent of northeastern Connecticut individuals was on hand.  Coach Tom Espinosa along with his assistants Josh Scraba and Ryan Walsh brought the Putnam Science Academy team to see the game because one of the New Haven players is a former Mustang.

Jemal Mosely, who last season helped PSA to a 22-8 record, is a member of the Chargers of coach Ted Hotaling.  Mosely has been seeing plenty of action as the first sub off the bench for the 10-4 Chargers.

Also spotted in the crowd was former Plainfield High School great Wayne Irons along with his wife, son and grandson.  Irons, who was one of the best baseball players to grace the diamond in Plainfield, later went on to an illustrious softball career.  He’s a member of the Connecticut Softball Hall of Fame.  His son Mark is a graduate of Assumption College.

Pam Lomerson of Killingly was one of the officials working the LeMoyne College versus Assumption women’s contest Jan. 14.  Lomerson is a highly respected NCAA referee who works approximately 65 Division I and II women’s contests each basketball season.

Catching Up With College Players

Two college freshmen, who last season were playing on different courts in Putnam, recently turned in stellar performances for their college teams.  Former Putnam Clipper Ashley Espinosa, currently at Worcester State University, had the best game of her young college career when she tallied 15 points in a tough setback at the hands of Keene State.  She followed that performance with four points against Becker College despite being saddled with foul trouble.

Paul Brooks, the former Putnam Science Academy Mustang who is currently a member of the Worcester State University Lancers, was named the MASCAC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week.  Brooks averaged 11 points and 8.5 rebounds during the week of his selection.  Through the first 13 games of the season Brooks is averaging 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest, he also leads the team in blocks with 13.  The best performance for the 6-9 center/forward was a 14-point, 10-rebound and two block game in a victory over MCLA.

The Quinnipiac University duo of Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame continues to be the top performers for the Bobcats.  The former Marianapolis standouts led coach Tom Moore’s team to victories over MAAC top ranked teams Iona and Manhattan.

Finally, Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, the former PSA standout, now a member of the University of Dayton Flyers, is becoming a regular on television.  Smith and the Flyers were seen recently on ESPN2 and SNY.  He’s averaging about 15 minutes per game for coach Archie Miller.

From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…

January 13, 1906: On Saturday afternoon, the young ladies’ team of Woodstock Academy will play the young ladies’ team of Killingly High in Danielson.  All ladies are invited to attend.  Gentlemen will not be allowed to attend.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken.”  Oscar Wilde

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