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Boys’ Prep Preview
Coach/Year: Tom Espinosa/
13th year
2017-2018 Record: 38-4
Top Returners: 2020 Guard Demarr Langford, 2019 Guard Dan Porcic, 2020 Guard Hassan Diarra, 2020 Forward Kareem Reid and 2019 Forward Akok Akok.
Top Newcomers: 2019 Guard Tyson Etienne, 2019 Center Mohammed Sylla, 2019 Center Russel Tchewa and 2019 Guard Marty Silvera.
Outlook: The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs accomplished their goal that they set out on last season going 38-4 enroute to capturing the 2018 National Prep Championship, the first in school history. Now the bullseye is on the Mustangs back as they look to repeat this upcoming season but the competition will be stiff. Brewster Academy has been widely ranked as the #1 Prep School going into the 2018-2019 season with PSA right on their tales at #2. Head Coach Tom Espinosa seemed unfazed when asked out the newly placed bullseye saying, “We prepare for every game the same way so nothing has really changed there. We look forward to the season and taking the best shot from all of our opponents.” The Mustangs lost some key pieces from last year’s team with Kyle Lofton and Osun Osunniyi headed to St. Bonaventure, Josh Mballa going to Texas Tech and Jose Perez moving on to Gardener Webb but PSA still returns 5 players from that championship team. One of the best defenders on the team, Demarr Langford, has improved his scoring ability along with Hassan Diarra’s knack for getting to the basket. You match that with heavily recruited forward Akok Akok with newcomers Tyson Etienne, who recently committed to Wichita State and big men Mohammed Sylla and Russel Tchewa and this is a team poised for another championship run.
Girls 'Prep Preview
Coach: Derek Marchione/
2nd Year
2017-2018: 22-9
Top Returners: 2019 Guard Fatima Lee, 2019 Guard Ariana Koivisto and 2020 Guard Niya Fields.
Top Newcomers: 2019 Guard Trinasia Kennedy, 2020 Lucie Castigne, 2019 Helena Dellarule, 2019 Xianna Josephs and 2019 Amaya Santiago.
Outlook: The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs last year under first- year Head Coach Derek Marchione saw immediate success finishing the season 22-9 and qualified for the Independent School National Championship where they went 2-1 eventually losing to Crestwood Academy. This year’s team is without 6 players from last year but PSA returns three key players at the guard position. 2019 Guard Fatima Lee, who committed to Providence in the summer, brings leadership on the court for coach Marchione. “Fatima brings a ton of energy to our team, she understands what I expect to see from the girls and is a hard worker.” 2019 Guard Ariana Koivisto, who surprised many last year with her high basketball IQ and ability to knock down shots from anywhere on the court, returns for Coach Marchione and looks to build off of a successful season for PSA. One of the top newcomers this year for the Mustangs is 2019 Guard Trinasia Kennedy and Coach Marchione has been thrilled with his 1st year player so far. “Trinasia is a tough, lock down defender that we look to utilize this season. Her offensive ability has got better each and every day.” What the Mustangs lost with size they gained with ball handlers and girls that can get you a basket. Expectations are high for the Lady Mustangs in their 2nd season.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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