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Darryl Simmons became Putnam Science Academy’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made on Feb. 21 when he drained one from the left wing roughly midway through the first half of the Mustangs’ 104-52 win over We Believe Academy.
“I’m leaving a mark until I leave here,” said Simmons, who also still has a chance to join the school’s 1,000-point club. “I’ve got to let people know there’s a new leader to chase!”
Simmons’ first 3 of the game was the record-breaker and came on his second attempt. He entered the game tied with Hassan Diarra with 140 3s in his career. He finished with three 3’s among his 15 points.
As for passing his friend and former teammate Diarra, Simmons said: “Hass was a guy who was here for a long time and he set a lot of records and set a high standard. So to break one of those records and continue to set a high standard myself, like he did, it’s a big deal.”
Tom Espinosa said, “It’s a special record. Obviously, you have to be a terrific shooter, and Darryl is. He’s worked hard at that. And you have to be here for multiple seasons and be on the court enough. Darryl and his family have trusted PSA since he was in eighth grade, and he worked his way onto the Prep team at the end of his third year, and he’s been a leader for us ever since. He could end up with the 3-point record, 1,000 points, and three national championships. He will always be one of the names associated with the Mustangs.”
Simmons and the Mustangs finished their regular season this past weekend and open postseason play this weekend with the Power 5 Conference Tournament. The National Tournament will be held March 8-10 at Clark University. PSA is guaranteed to play at least four games in the postseason, and could play as many as six. Simmons enters the playoffs with 144 career 3-pointers and 893 points. He is averaging 11.3 points per game for the 33-3 Mustangs.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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The numbers that Owen Finberg has produced as head coach of the boys’ soccer prep program at South Kent School in Western Connecticut have been phenomenal. Since 2015, the Cardinals have a 132-6-13 record on the field.
They were named national champions by prepsoccer.net for a third consecutive year in 2022, the sixth time overall the Cardinals received it since it was initially awarded in 2011.
Just as importantly, for the last 15 years, Finberg’s players have achieved 100 percent college placement including 11 playing for Div. I programs in 2021 and ’22.
Beginning this fall, he will bring that elite level soccer program to Woodstock Academy.
“I’m really excited to continue to build on the program that I’ve been working to establish as one of the best in the country for the last 20 years and I think Woodstock Academy is the ideal place to continue that growth,” Finberg said.
There is a difference between South Kent and Woodstock Academy.
The Cardinals are a New England Prep School Athletic Council member and, as such, the soccer season takes place in the fall.
At Woodstock Academy, the prep soccer program is independent and can train and play year-round.
“One hundred percent,” Finberg said when asked if that was one of the primary reasons why the Woodstock prep program attracted him.
“I purposely didn’t look at any NEPSAC schools as I looked for my next job and next career opportunity. I had some professional opportunities, some MLS Next sporting director roles and certainly some other schools that I looked at as well, but the opportunity to train and compete year-round and to have the type of program that a high-level student-athlete is searching for, not only domestically but internationally, was key for me to choose this role. The independent nature of it is a real benefit,” he added.
Finberg was chosen the National Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches of America in 2015 and was named the Small School Prep Coach of the Year 10 times during his tenure at South Kent. He has also worked with numerous other soccer entities such as U.S. Soccer’s Olympic Development Program.
The Head of School Chris Sandford couldn’t be happier.
The school began an association with Global Education Sports Partners two years ago and it has been a successful venture.
“We’re taking the next step,” Sandford said. “I want to thank those who have been involved with the program for the first two years and got it going. We owe them a lot of gratitude and credit. Now, we’re ready to take the next step in the soccer world.”
What is the next step?
“It’s the caliber of student, the diversity of the student population and what happens when that student leaves the Academy,” Sandford said. “Wins and losses are important; I will be the first to say that, because if you win, you get a better caliber student. It’s in the cycle. The legacy that they will leave in their life based on our school, our program, our academic program, what we have provided them and how we’ve helped them be more successful.”
Finberg echoes those sentiments. “I’m very excited to give student-athletes a very high-level., year-round soccer program combined with an excellent education to prepare them to be a high-level collegiate student-athlete. I’ve shown a great deal of success in doing that and I think the support and environment at Woodstock Academy is only going to help that to continue to grow and flourish,” the veteran coach said.
The competitive schedule likely will not change all that much from what it has been for the last two years.
The Centaurs will continue to play primarily prep and independent programs in the fall and then play more club competition against MLS Next programs, other top-level clubs, and college showcases and tournaments in the winter and spring.
“The path for the majority of our guys is going to be to move to NCAA institutions but we’re certainly going to have guys with the capability and desire who can, ultimately, achieve their desire of playing professionally as well,” Finberg said.
He has coached 18 players who have done so including the No. 4 pick in the 2023 Major League Soccer Superdraft, Joshua Bolma, who was chosen by the New England Revolution.
“I think the future (of the program) will be dictated by some forces from outside the Academy, obviously, but in reality, once Owen comes on campus and becomes part of our community – he’s building a program from afar at the moment- I think the future is boundless. I think we can do almost anything. Could we start hosting tournaments ourselves? Do we become a mecca for soccer? Like people who move to the area for our academic program, do people move to the area to become part of the soccer program? Parents travel based on the athletic prowess of the student. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m excited for it,” Sandford said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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caption:
Ben Ahmed. Thomas Netzer photo.




As PSA’s Prep basketball team concluded its regular season as the Power 5 conference champions, the Mustangs now have two goals remaining: a conference tournament title, and of course, another national title.
PSA beat Commonwealth 67-50 Saturday to finish 10-0 in the conference, and 33-3 overall, leaving coach Tom Espinosa feeling good about the way his team is playing.
“We’ve won a lot of close games where we had to be tough,” he said, “and that’s how we want to be. There are a lot of good teams out there, especially when we get to the national tournament, so we have to be ready to play close games and be tougher than our opponents. We haven’t always been that way this year, so to be doing it now going into the postseason is a good thing.”
The headline again last week for the Mustangs – who won all three of their games – was the pursuit by Mouhamed Dioubate and Darryl Simmons of some career milestones. Simmons hit one, and Dioubate moved much closer to three more. Simmons hit career 3-pointer No. 141 to move past Hassan Diarra and into first place on the school’s all-time list. Simmons still needs 107 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
Dioubate meanwhile finished the week with 35 points and 35 rebounds in the three games. He now needs just 80 points for 1,000 in his career, 26 rebounds to become the school’s all-time leader, and 71 rebounds to set the school’s new single-season record. The Mustangs have at least four postseason games coming up, and could play as many as six. Dioubate is averaging 14.2 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.
The Power 5 Tournament gets underway in Springfield on Friday; the National Prep Tournament begins March 8 at Clark University.
In Tuesday’s 104-52 win over We Believe Academy, Dioubate had 16 points and 16 rebounds, Baye Ndongo tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds, Ben Ahmed had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Duane Thompson finished with 10 points, four assists, and three steals. Muazabini Adamu added eight points and 10 boards for the Mustangs, who had 32 offensive rebounds and 70 overall.
Ndongo, Ahmed, and Thompson combined to make all 19 of their shots and finish with 44 points Friday in a 102-73 win at Busche Academy. Ndongo went 8-for-8 (including one 3-pointer) from the field to finish with 17 points; Ahmed went 6-for-6 and finished with 15 points, while also grabbing five rebounds and blocking two shots; and Thompson went 5-for-5 (including a pair of 3s) for the Mustangs. Dioubate had six points and 10 rebounds.
Saturday, Ahmed had a double-double, Blake Barkley pulled down double-digit rebounds, and Thompson scored in double figures for the third straight game as PSA beat Commonwealth 67-50. Dioubate had 13 points and nine boards. Ahmed had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double, Barkley grabbed a season-high 10 boards, and Thompson finished with 12 points, while Oswin Erhunmwunse added eight points and eight rebounds in the win.
PSA’s Boys Elite team split their two games this week, topping Commonwealth 69-66 Saturday behind 18 points from Thierry Lokrou. Travis Upchurch added 15 points, while Jalen Claude and Anthony O’Brien both chipped in 12 for the Mustangs.
They lost their final home game Tuesday, falling 81-71 to Evangel Christian Academy. Yhali Steinhauer scored 21 points for the Mustangs, who were down five players - including two of their top three scorers - due to illness, Tyler Hanson took advantage of more playing time and finished with 17 points, making five 3-pointers along the way.
Also Saturday, the Girls Select team lost at Hoosac, 66-56, despite a game-high 23 points from Astou Ndiaye. Zuzanna Komor added 13 points and Keyani Jackson finished with nine for the Mustangs.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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WOODSTOCK — Bernard A. Phaneuf, 84, of Woodstock, died Feb. 20, 2023, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, following a long battle with heart disease. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was an entrepreneur with a keen ability to transform struggling businesses into successful ventures.
Born Dec. 23, 1938, in Putnam to Lawrence Phaneuf and Alice LeClaire Phaneuf, he graduated in 1956 from Woodstock Academy.
Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 through 1958, he was honorably discharged as a corporal, and attended Norwich Commercial College.
Following his military service, he met his wife, Janice A. Benoit of Putnam. They were married on Oct. 7, 1961, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam and celebrated their 61st anniversary shortly before he entered Massachusetts General Hospital last autumn.
For 35 years he held administrative and executive positions at American Standard Corp. in Plainfield, Glass Container Corp. in Killingly, United Abrasives in Windham and Bay State/Sterling in Westborough, Mass.
He acquired Bay State/Sterling in 1994, transforming the struggling abrasives manufacturer into a thriving business that was successfully sold three years later.
In 2000, he purchased The Woodstock Line Company in Putnam, expanding the high-quality braiding and fishing line business until his retirement in 2021.
He loved collecting antiques, gardening, caring for his pets, and rooting for the UConn women’s basketball team.
A man of deep faith, in 1986 he was ordained a Roman Catholic deacon in the Diocese of Norwich and served at St. Mary’s Parish in Putnam for 20 years.
He leaves his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Allison and Mark Bertorelli of Farmington, Mary and Dr. David Wilterdink of Brooklyn, and Heather and Daniel Page of Simsbury; one son and daughter-in-law, Keith Phaneuf and Jenna Carlesso of Farmington; two granddaughters, Mara and Aerin Bertorelli of Farmington; one sister, Constance Black of East Hartford. He was predeceased by three brothers, Lawrence Phaneuf Jr., Robert Phaneuf, and Richard Phaneuf and by one sister, Genevieve Phaneuf.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., March 2, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Providence Street, Putnam. Relatives and friends are invited to gather directly at the church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
The Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, P. O. Box 665, Putnam, CT 06260.

Armand G. Boisvert
PUTNAM — Armand G. Boisvert, 87, of Sabin St., formerly of Woodstock, died Feb. 23, 2023, at Day Kimball Hospital.
Born in 1936 in St. Hermenegilde, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of the late Emile and Parmelia (Brodeur) Boisvert.  On Feb. 24, 1962, in Cap-de-LeMadeleine, Canada he was united in marriage to Muriel (Maurice) Boisvert.
Always a hard worker, a trait likely learned growing up on a farm and logging in his early years, Armand dedicated his professional life to the construction industry.  He started with Ray Allard & Son, and eventually retired as the Head of Safety for C.R. Klewin Construction Company, where he proudly served as a key part of the team who built the first phases of Foxwoods Casino.  In addition to his rigorous full-time work, over the years he took on side work, sometimes with the help of his children in the early years, and later helping them with their homes and businesses.
He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in New Hampshire, as well as the Canadian National Guard. Armand taught himself English and read the newspaper each day.  He could be seen on his regular walks, especially in recent years with his dog, a Papillion named Fairway.  Armand enjoyed keeping his property in pristine condition but, above all he cherished the quality time he had with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He spent countless hours giving rides, attending sporting and school events and supporting his family locally, while remaining close to his family in Canada.
Armand is survived by his wife of 61 years, Muriel (Maurice) Boisvert; his children, Brigitte Jurczyk (Craig) of Pomfret, Marc Boisvert of Danielson, Johanne Bates (Brian) of Waterford, Roger Boisvert (Paula) of Thompson, Mariel Boisvert of Worcester, and Jean-Louis “John” Boisvert (Jaime) of Woodstock; his siblings, Rene Boisvert of Quaticook, Quebec, Canada, and Yvon Boisvert of St. Hermenegilde, Quebec, Canada; 25 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Kasia Jurczyk, and siblings: Edgar Boisvert, Albert Boisvert, Felix Boisvert, Réal Boisvert, Adrian Boisvert, André Boisvert, Denise Boisvert, Claire Audet, and Yvonne Peloquin.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. March 3 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. March 4 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret Road, Pomfret. Reception follows the Mass at Grill 37, 37 Putnam Rd, Pomfret.

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