to prestigious 

holiday 

tournament

By Ron P. Coderre

The hard work that Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa has put in to developing a winning program in the short eight years the team has played varsity competition is beginning to payoff for the Mustangs.  The initial recognition of the legitimacy of the program came last season when the team posted a 29-5 record, was invited to the National Prep Championships and was ranked 5th in the country in the final prep poll.

The latest recognition was received recently when the team was invited to play in 2014 Best Western Caisson Shootout at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va.  The tournament, which is sponsored by ESPNU, is one of the most prestigious prep tournaments in the country, featuring eight of the top programs in the U.S.

“I went through a series of emotions when I received word that our team was invited to the tournament.  As a prep coach this is something you dream about but doesn’t often materialize.  This is great news for our program and our school.  It puts us on the basketball map but also helps to promote our school,” said Espinosa.

The tournament is scheduled for Dec. 3 through 7.  All teams get the assurance of playing three games in four days.  The tournament is an opportunity for schools to showcase players who are being recruited by colleges from throughout the country.

“I’m really happy for our returning players and out recruits.  This will provide them with an opportunity to experience high level competition as they prepare for college.  This news should also help us in our recruiting effort for the upcoming season,” said Espinosa.

Espinosa and the Mustangs have already signed four top level recruits for the next season.  The Mustangs have a pair of highly recruited guards, Kealen Ives, from Classical High School in Providence and Tim Quashie from Long Island Lutheran, on board for next season.  They also have two rugged front court performers in 6-foot, 5-inch twin brothers Aaron and Andrew Robinson from Maryland and returning junior 6-8 Mamadou Diarra from Queens, New York.

 

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