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Putnam Science Academy’s prep boys’ basketball team backed up its new No. 2 ranking in the latest national polls, posting a 4-0 week in impressive fashion.
It started Feb. 17 with a 65-54 win over in-state rival St. Thomas More. PSA was ranked No. 2 at the time, St. Thomas More No. 6.
Terrell Ard Jr. led the Mustangs with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Josh Gray added 12 points, 12 rebounds, and a pair of blocks. Hassan Diarra and Marty Silvera both had 10 points and nine rebounds, and Vlad Goldin finished with five points and 12 rebounds in the win.
PSA won its next three games by an average of 41 points, knocking off Redemption Christian Academy 78-53 on Feb. 20, topping Winchendon 102-64 Feb. 22, and Alma College 110-50 Feb. 23.
In the road win over RCA, Johnnie Williams scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Ard Jr. added 10 points and 15 rebounds, Diarra 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists. D’Maurian Williams finished with 13 points, six assists, four steals, and four rebounds for the Mustangs.
The win over Winchendon didn’t appear so sure in the early going, as PSA led just 36-33 at halftime before turning up the intensity in the second half. Diarra finished with 16 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds, while Gray had 13 points and eight rebounds. Johnnie Williams (12), JuJu Murray (11), D’Maurian Williams (10), and Elijah Hutchins-Everett (10) all scored in double figures. Ard. Jr. had nine points and 11 rebounds.
The win Feb. 23 win was never in doubt. It was 17-6 six minutes in, 37-7 midway through the first half, and 59-23 at the half.
Diarra continued his all-around strong play, finishing with 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals. Ard. Jr. went for 11 points and six rebounds, Johnnie Williams 17 points, Elijah Hutchins-Everett 12 points and six boards, and Josh Gray 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mustangs (29-3) have four regular season games remaining, then start postseason play.
“It’s a long season, and we always go through droughts every year,” said Mustangs coach Tom Espinosa. “Sometimes in December, January, early February, whatever the case is.
“We went through our drought already. And I think we’re moving in the right direction and I’m really excited to see what we can do in March.”
Varsity 2 Team
PSA’s varsity 2 team ended its season last week, dropping all three of its games to close at 13-9.
Erwan Menguy scored 11 points and Kevin Ravix 10 in a 79-49 loss to Redemption Christian Academy on Feb. 18. Joey Pezzano had a team-high 10 points the next night, but it wasn’t enough in a 52-36 loss to St. Andrews. Then playing shorthanded on Feb. 21 because of illnesses and injuries, the Mustangs fell to Fessenden in their season finale. Khalil Gooden had 11 points, and Javier Cobo 10 in the loss.
Varsity Team
The boys’ varsity team won a pair of games last week, including a 94-71 romping of Alma College on Feb. 22. Sophomore Darryl Simmons Jr. led the Mustangs with 28 points, and Abdul Seck added 16 of his added 23 points in the first half. Ty Drummer finished with 16 points and Amir Sanders chipped in with 10 for the Mustangs (19-9).
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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