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PSA’s Grant
much more
engaged
PSA girls’ Prep basketball coach Devin Hill turned to assistant TaNajia Smith on the bench during a recent game. He just saw Janeya Grant dive on the floor for a loose ball, and the look to Smith was a combination of stunned “did you see that” and impressed “did you see that.”
“Things like that weren’t happening last year,” Hill said. “This year, she is much more engaged. She’s been very consistent. We talk about Ines (Goryanova) and the jump she’s made, but Janeya’s honestly taken just as much of a jump as Ines, in her own way.”
Grant, from Middletown, got bigger and stronger in the offseason – a result of natural progression but also extra time in the weight room – and is seeing the payoff. She is averaging 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals for the Mustangs, who improved to 9-2 this past weekend by winning three games at a showcase event in front of dozens of college coaches in Washington, D.C.
The 6-foot, 1-inch Grant, a member of the Class of 2024, has always been a shooter but this year she has become a consistent factor in so many more facets of the game.
“I think she’s improved so much, and I don’t think she realizes how much she’s improved,” said Goryanova. “Not even just for shooting but being physical, getting to the basket, finishing those and-ones, rebounding, helping on defense too with her length. I don’t think she realizes how much it’s gotten better from last year. But she’s someone who makes a difference for us.”
Said Grant: “I think I’ve matured and just started taking stuff more seriously. School, basketball, stuff off the court. I’ve just matured. Last year I would get in some trouble at school and not really do what I was always supposed to be doing. But this year, it’s gotten way better. I’m more locked into everything.”
It’s not all by accident either. Grant said she had a lot of talks since last season with Hill, and with her parents. She said she just has a better focus on what she wants and how she can get there.
“It’s helped me with my confidence on the court, too,” she said. “That is at a completely different level from last year. I just go out there and play my game. Last year, I’d get mad, frustrated, down on myself if I missed a shot. But this year, it’s just ‘next play.’
“Obviously shooting is definitely my role. My teammates know if they see me on the 3-point line, they’re going to kick it out. But rebounding, pushing the ball up the floor. I’m trying to be more aggressive on defense, trying to be more active. I want to make a name for myself.”
The Mustangs certainly did that this weekend at the She Got Game Classic. They toppled Quality Education Academy, 68-25 on Friday night. Grant had six points and a pair of rebounds in that one, but didn’t play a lot because of the lopsided score. Goryanova led the way with 22 points and eight steals, while KC Cedano kicked in 12 points, and Jada Mills scored nine.
PSA beat Spire Academy 80-48 Saturday. Grant led a balanced attack with 15 and seven, Goryanova 16 points, and Genevive Wedemeyer scored 12 points. Cedano had seven points and seven rebounds, while Sophia Fontaine finished with eight points and six boards.
PSA capped the perfect weekend with a 67-62 win over powerhouse Niagara Prep, behind Wedemeyer’s 22 points. Goryanova and Grant scored 15 and 11 respectively.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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caption:
Bell Ringing
From left: Emma Russell, Alyssa Thompson, and Carter Payne are raising money for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. With the last bell ringing Dec. 17 the Interact Club could hit $10,000. Courtesy photo.

PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club members and friends bravely rang the bells in the cold Dec. 10 and collected $2,131.04 for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign.
The club, in its 25th year of ringing the bells, has a total of $8,216.44 so far, with one more Saturday of bell ringing to go. They hope to break $10,000 and then some!
Interact Club co-advisor Roberta Rocchetti said “I really hope people will be generous on this last one.”
Club members will be collecting Saturday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Putnam Walmart, Price Chopper, Putnam Supermarket and Stop & Shop.
Rocchetti thanked Emma Russel, Sarah Ha, Khanh-Vi Pham, Hannah Ha, Chengxun (Angela) Li and Yanlin (Lyn) Wang from Marianapolis; Joshua Tackson and Cooper Sweeney from Tourtellotte Memorial High School; Hadley Grether, Angelos Haveles, Carter Payne, Alyssa Thompson, Maeve and Callum Lusignan, Avery Kollbeck, Aiden Finch and Rori Mackenzie; Jenny Boriboun, Allyson DiNola, Paige Perry, Gabriell Ceasiello and Kasyn Robillard from Putnam High; Anna Burnham and Isabella McDonough from E.O. Smith; Henry Burnham and Journey Horn from Ashford School; Joan Celotti, Sarah Celotti, Jesse and Gina Burnham, Martha Sibley-Jett and Melissa McDonough from Ashford.
She also thanked Rotarians, Marc Archambault, Paul Pikora, co-advisor Wayne (Woody) Durst.

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'Wreaths Across
America' Dec. 17
PUTNAM — At noon, Dec. 17, the “Wreaths Across America” ceremony will take place at the Veterans Memorial Park.
The community of Putnam along with towns throughout America will pause for a minute of silence in tribute and remembrance to the fallen, the Prisoners of War, the Missing in Action and to honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s Armed Services. The ceremony is coordinated by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 and the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523. It’s open to all.
Following the minute of silence at exactly noon, the program will open with remarks from Michael Rocchetti, Senior Vice Commander of American legion Post #13, and the singing of the National Anthem by Army National Guard Specialist, American Legion Post #13 member, Emily Lajoie. In the presence of the combined Honor Guards of the American Legion Post #13 and VFW Post #1523, wreaths will be laid in memory of those who served and are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. An individual wreath will be laid in remembrance of the 93,129 service personnel from all branches whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Reflections will be offered by the Putnam mayor, Post #13 member; VFW Post #1523 Commander, Hans Lowell; and American Legion Post #13 and District 4 Past Commander Ronald P. Coderre
The reflections will be followed by the tossing of a remembrance wreath into the Quinebaug River by Rocchetti and Lowell. The ceremonial wreath tossing will be followed by a Rifle Volley and Taps performed by Tyler Eddy.
After the closing of the ceremony, the Honor Guard will disburse to local cemeteries and bridges where they will honor veterans by placing wreaths at each location.
The program is coordinated by the two service organizations in cooperation with Town of Putnam’s Recreation Department.

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DAYVILLE — Tiffany Alvarado achieved the October Employee of the Month award at Country Living at Westview Commons.  She works in the facilities dining services.
She has been on the Westview Commons’ team since May.
Tiffany worked in home care for over 20 years prior to joining the dining staff at Westview Commons. Before starting her current role in the facility’s dietary department, she cooked mostly as a functional need, so she greatly appreciates learning more about the craft of culinary arts through her work.
She lives in Danielson, having moved to Connecticut seven years ago.  She graduated from The High School for Enterprise, Business, and Technology in Brooklyn, N.Y., and remains proud of her New York City roots. Tiffany is both literally and figuratively close with her daughter Tyasia; both working alongside each other at Country Living at Westview Commons to provide hospitality.
Country Living at Westview Commons’ Executive Vice President David T. Panteleakos said: “Tiffany is a key contributor to offering Westview Commons residents a lifestyle they deserve.  Our dining services are a big part of the daily activity here, and Tiffany makes great efforts to ensure that the dietary team offers the best nutrition and kindest nurturing to our residents at mealtimes.”

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