By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to a truly great American Armand Jolly of Pomfret and formerly of Putnam, who turned 92 on Aug. 23.  Jolly is another member of “The Greatest Generation,” who our country owes so much to for the freedom we enjoy today.  Jolly was one of the few survivors of a 1945 kamikaze attack on the USS Emmons.  He was chosen on Thursday, August 18 to bring forward the memorial wreath for the 60 sailors who were killed that day.  The ceremony was held in the Old Judiciary Room of the State Capitol in Hartford.  RPC sends a special thanks and a very Happy Birthday wish to a great guy.

 Headed Overseas for Pro Ball

Former Marianapolis Prep basketball standout Ike Azotam, who recently completed a very successful four-year college tenure at Quinnipiac University, is headed to Spain as he extends his basketball career on the professional level.  Azotam, who scored more than 1000 points for the Bobcats and was one of the team’s outstanding rebounders, has signed to play with Marin Piexegalego for the 2014-2015- season.

A little known fact about Azotam is that prior to enrolling at Marianapolis as a postgraduate, he played his high school basketball in the Boston area, where he was a teammate of Shabazz Napier, formerly of UConn and currently of the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.

Cody Semmelrock Update

Following up on the progress of former Woodstock Academy golfer Cody Semmelrock’s golf quest for a career as a professional, we’re happy to announce he recently tied for 16th in the New England Open PGA Championships.  He made the cut following two rounds of competition, when only 40 golfers of the 120 entries moved on to the final round of play.  He recorded rounds of 73, 72, 73 for a total of plus five.  This was his best finish in his brief career.

The Long Shot Tour-Nament to assist Semmelrock financially on his road to the pros is scheduled for Friday, October 3 with a 10 a.m. shotgun start at Quinnatisset Country Club.  The cost of the event is $125 per golfer and includes raffle, skins, special contests, hot dogs, hamburgers and soda during play.  Following play a dinner will be held at Connecticut National Golf Club, featuring a social hour at 5 p.m. and prime rib dinner at 6 p.m.  Anyone who doesn’t play golf but wishes to attend the dinner may do so at a cost of $40 per person.

Anyone wishing to play should contact Earl Semmelrock at 860 508-9525 or the Quinnatisset pro shop 860 928-7516.  Checks should be made payable to Cody Semmelrock and mailed to Earl Semmelrock, 69 Killingly Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259.

Summer Hoop Camps a Huge Success

Putnam Science Academy Athletic Director Tom Espinosa reports that the youth summer camps held on the PSA campus this year were a big hit with the boys and girls ages 6 to 17 who attended.  More than 60 youngsters from South Central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut were on hand.

“The three weekend camps were very successful.  The kids in attendance not only received excellent instruction but they also realized basketball is a fun game.  Many met and made new friends at the camp,” said Espinosa.

In addition to Espinosa, the camps were led by PSA assistant coach Josh Scraba, former PSA great and University of Pacific standout 7-foot, 1-inch Rundell Mauge, and Worcester State University women’s basketball standout Ashley Espinosa.

Early High School Football Stats

Following one week of the schoolboy football season, Plainfield is the only local team with a victory to its name.  Quinebaug Pride, Woodstock Academy and Killingly all suffered losses in the initial week of competition.  The preps, Hyde-Woodstock and Pomfret School kicked off action last week.

Individually, Killingly quarterback Kyle Derosier leads the area signal callers with 132 passing yards.  Plainfield QB Steve Jankowski is the rushing leader with 126 yards, while a trio of receivers had a great first week.  Quinebaug Pride’s Steve Dakai is the receiving yardage leader with 97 yards, followed by Plainfield’s Tyler Ballard with 76 yards and Killingly’s Vasileous Politis with 74 yards.

Of local interest, Capital Prep’s quarterback Rayshawn Phillips received special recognition from the Hartford Courant for his play against Quinebaug Pride.  Phillips led his team to a 38-15 victory completing 22 of 27 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns.

High school football question of the week…Is it politically correct to continue to refer to Killingly High School athletic teams as the Redmen?  Send your suggestions for a new nickname to RPC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Your suggestions will run in future columns. 

Tidbits from a Maine Golf Sojourn

A group of 12 golfers, often referred to as the “dubbing dozen” recently returned from a three-day golf trip, which included two-days of play at Point Sebago Golf Resort in Maine and a stop at Breakfast Hill Golf Club in Greenland (not the real Greenland), New Hampshire.

The group included former school administrators, a bank executive, an accountant, a high school guidance counselor, a local restaurant owner and real estate mogul, a music teacher, a used car salesman, an Audubon expert, and a hospital administrator.  As you can imagine, agreeing on anything, especially golf scores and how to split the restaurant tab were difficult decisions to come to for this “dizzy dozen.”

Long drive champs for the 72-holes of play were Roger Beaudet and Peter Gaudette, who was also voted the group’s optimist.  Top point earner and money maker, according to his own calculations, was Nelson “Buzz” King, followed closely by Gene Blain, who was voted group clown.  There was a tie for the player who created the most aggravation between Henry Bennett and Bud Kettelle.  Mike Dalpe received the title of biggest tipper.  Doug Valentine and Mike Finnemore were voted quietest among the twelve.  Can you believe that?  Fran Baranski, noted for his love of the outdoors, saw the most of all the courses.  He spent time in the woods and played Army golf, left, right, left.  George Lessard was voted the easiest player to get along with.     Can you guess who the 12th golfer was?  All are planning to return for the trip next year, that is, if they’re invited.

Late Golf Tourney Notice

Should you receive the Town Crier prior to Saturday, September 27 and are looking for a golf tournament, contact Chris Mayhew.  The Masonic Lodge is sponsoring a Glow Ball Tournament at Roseland Golf Course.  The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a meal at the Lodge in Woodstock  and then on to golf around 8 p.m.  Cost is $75 per golfer.  Mayhew can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Energy is contagious…Surround yourself with positive thinkers.  You want to be around people who share your passion and commitment.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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