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Cris McElveen. Collin Hamilton photo.

It was an unfamiliar sight at Clark University last Thursday as the final horn sounded on the National Prep Basketball Tournament: Putnam Science Academy walking off the floor dejectedly, the scoreboard revealing the Mustangs on the losing end of the championship game for the first time in a long time.
After one blowout and two nerve-wracking wins over the first two days of the tournament, short-handed PSA fell behind early in the final and could never get back in front, as it fell to a hot-shooting Western Reserve (Ohio) team, 76-63.
PSA had won the last two national championships (technically, the last three, as there was no tournament in 2020-21 because of COVID).
“It’s just really tough,” coach Tom Espinosa said afterward. “I feel for our kids. They’re really hurting. Give Western Reserve credit, they made a ton of shots. But it’s just tough right now.”
The Mustangs led just once, 1-0 about 90 seconds into the game. They trailed by 11 at halftime and by as many as 18 early in the second half.
To its credit, PSA mounted a rally and got within six with 3:40 to play, but could never get over the hump as Western Reserve continued to knock down back-breaking shot after back-breaking shot.
Fallou Gueye had 17 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Oswin Erhunmwunse finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four blocked shots. Tony Williams added 10 points and Cris McElveen eight for PSA, which played without leading scorer Justin Johnson, out with an injury suffered in the team’s semifinal win earlier Thursday.
The. Mustangs advanced to the title game by knocking off Combine Academy 76-70 in the semis behind 17 points, six rebounds, and three blocks from Erhunmwunse. Gueye had seven points and a career-high 12 assists, Que Duncan finished with 11 points, and Ben Ahmed and Imahri Wooten both had nine points, as a number of guys filled the void left by Johnson, who was injured about four minutes into the game.
PSA survived a back-and-forth stress-inducer in Wednesday’s quarterfinal, topping Link Year Prep 64-58. Johnson had 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals for PSA, which trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, before cutting the deficit to three at halftime. The Mustangs led by six with just over five minutes to play, but found themselves down by one just two-and-a-half minutes later. Johnson, though, made some big shots down the stretch to help PSA advance. Gueye finished with 12 points, while Grant Randall had 10 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high six blocks. Erhunmwunse added 10 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in the win.
PSA rolled to a win in its first-round game, beating Bridgton Academy 96-46 Tuesday, as Ahmed finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds and became the fifth player in PSA history to score 1,000 career points in the process. Later in the tournament, he became the school’s record holder for both points and rebounds in a single season.
The Mustangs finish the season at 32-12, the most losses they have ever suffered. But eight of those came in the first half of the season (and one more came in the team’s first game of the second half), when it was a different team. Four players left the program over the semester break, and three new ones (Randall, Wooten, and Mousa Loum) came in, plus Wiliams was promoted from the Elite team and perhaps most importantly, Erhunmwunse returned from injury. Additionally, a number of players – Gueye and McElveen in particular – made drastic changes in their approaches to the game that it all created a different feel in and around the team starting in January.
“We’ve never had a season like this,” Espinosa said. “And honestly, I’m going to remember it for guys like Fallou and Cris, guys who completely changed their games and made such significant improvements individually that they improved our team as a whole. And those two guys are guys that I pushed like very few others in the past. They could have quit, they could have left. But they didn’t. They fought through the adversity and figured it out and became key starters on a team that played in the championship game.
“I’m going to talk about those guys to future teams for a long, long time.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Darlene Denise Miller Dalpe, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, died March 2, 2024.  She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Denise Miller and was born on Aug. 31, 1948, in Norwich.  She leaves her beloved husband of 47 years Mike Dalpe of Danielson.
Darlene grew up in Canterbury in a large family with two sisters and five brothers.  She attended Dr. Helen Baldwin School and graduated from Griswold High School in 1966.  She later in her life attended and graduated from Quinebaug Valley Community College.  
She worked at various retail positions then began a successful career in real estate.
Darlene was a faithful member of the Westfield Congregational Church in Danielson and belonged to Canterbury Grange # 70 for many years.  In her spare time, she volunteered at the Day Kimball Hospital and Hospice in Putnam. She enjoyed her gardens.
Darlene loved being a mother to her son Jeffrey and being Olivia’s grandmother.  
She always looked forward to her visits to Virginia with Jeff and family as she and Mike traveled to West Palm Beach, Fla., for the winter.  Darlene enjoyed winters in Florida so she could play her favorite sport, golf.   She excelled at golf and was a 40-year member at Quinnatisset Country Club and River Ridge Golf Course having won many tournaments at both clubs.
She leaves her son Jeffrey Tarrant (Charmaine) and granddaughter Olivia of Reston, Vir. She also leaves her sisters and brothers:  Lorna Champagne (Alan), Joseph Miller (Cyndy), Peter Miller, Henry Miller, Frieda Cron (Kevin), Norman Miller (Lori) and John Miller (Brooke); nieces and nephews Jetta, Lori, Amy, Kelsey, Jake, Ryan, Kristi, Kyle, Michael, Madeline, and Mason.
The Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. April 3 in Westfield Congregational Church, 210 Main St., Danielson. Burial will be private. Donations may be made to: Westfield Congregational Church.  Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.

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PSA heavy hitters, from far left: Alba Granell, Carlota Lopez, and Carmen Plata. Tom Netzer photos.


Despite their season-long roller coaster ride of ups and downs, Greg Canzater felt really good about the chances for his PSA girls’ basketball team at the Girls Hoop Series National Tournament.
“Our principle is simple,” he said a few hours before PSA’s first-round game against Western Reserve (Ohio). “Make the easy layups. Minimal turnovers. Move the ball. We do that, then we’re in great shape.”
Those are the things that plagued the Mustangs in their losses (and in some of their wins), and they weren’t able to overcome them this time either, as their furious rally in the final minutes came up just short in a 46-44 loss Thursday.
PSA trailed by just one at halftime but made just 1-of-12 shots in the third quarter and fell behind by 10. The Mustangs actually trailed by 11 (42-31) in the fourth quarter, but Carmen Plata’s bucket while being fouled drew them within 44-42 with 24.9 seconds left in the game. PSA could get no closer, however.
“We’re always so close,” Canzater said. “There are just too many things that we could have done better throughout the course of the game to not put ourselves in that position again. And that includes me.”
Kate Lipatova finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Carlota Lopez had a team-leading 15 points for PSA, which also got eight points and five boards from Plata.
PSA played catch-up in their first game of Friday’s consolation bracket, as foul trouble doomed the Mustangs almost from the get-go. Lipatova picked up three first-half fouls and PSA was never able to get untracked.
Lopez had 15 points, and Helin Yoztyurk and Alba Granell both had seven for PSA, which trailed 18-2 after the first quarter. PSA actually outscored St. Andrew’s the rest of the way but the hole proved too big to climb out of. Tati Bell had six rebounds for PSA.
The Mustangs ended their season on a strong note though, winning its final game behind 20 points and five rebounds from Lipatova, plus 16 points and five boards from Lopez. Yoztyurk added 16 points and Plata finished with seven for PSA (13-20).
“I’m proud of these girls,” Canzater said. “Every day, they worked and they brought energy. Every day. The final scores might not have been what we wanted a lot of times, but it wasn’t for ltaack of effort or caring on their part ... I couldn’t be prouder of the way they fought and proved that we belong here and we deserve to be mentioned with these other top teams.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Wed.  March 13
Quilt Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit by Laura Salo, “The Year Through Quilts,” runs through March 30 at the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex. The show is sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council. PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library and display case will feature “Focus on Thompson: A Photographic Exhibition” through March 27.

Thur.  March 14
Basketball Shoot-Out
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ray Brousseau 2024 All Star Senior Basketball Shootout will be held at the Putnam High gym. The women’s game starts at 5:30 and the men’s game starts at 7. Door and shoot-out prizes. $3 for adults; $1 for students/ seniors.

Grief Support
PUTNAM --- A grief support group will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays starting March 14 and running through June 13 at the Living Faith United Methodist Church conference room at the church, 53 Grove St. RSVP 860-576-0801. Donations accepted.

Sat.  March 16
‘Earth Check-up’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Earth 2024. Save it & Save Ourselves” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 16. The presenter Ken Wolslegel, environmental scientist, said a check-up, in the form of an original 65-minute multimedia presentation. Free. , For more information, see: earth21stcentury.com.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Nature Sketchbook Journaling” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the center on Day Road. $15 members; $25 nonmembers. Reservation: 860-928-4948.

Mon.  March 18
Film
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Kiss the Round” --- part of the Pomfret Green Team’s Community Film Series, at 6:30 at the Center on Day Road.  Free. 860-928-4948.

Sun.  March 24
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse, Taft Pond Rd. will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the director & other camp staff, take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.

Sat.  April 20
International Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present International Day.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Bats: Winged Wonders” at 2 p.m. at the center on Day Road. $5 members; $10 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Poet Laureate
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present CT State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Fun Run
POMFRET --- Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Camper Scamper 5K Race/Walk and One Mile Kid Run.  Kids Race at 9:30; adult race at 10; walkers after runners. Last Mile Race Management.  Register by March 31 to receive discount and free T-shirt.  Adults $30/kids $10.  Preregister: www.4hcampct.org. Benefits the Jim Logee Campership Fund.

Sat.  April 27
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Long Pond Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at the Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Thompson. $10 members; $20 nonmembers. Register by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 860-928-4948.

Fri.  May 4
Beekeeping Buzz
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present David Pietrowski with “The Beekeeping Buzz” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.

Sat.  May 5
Pride Day
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam, Putnam Parks and Recreation will present the Quiet Corner Pride Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Rotary Park. Vendors sought.www.quietcornerpride.com.

Sat.  May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest.

Sat.  June 8
Singers/Songwriters of ‘70s
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present Jim Lenn with “The Ovation Guitar & Singers/Songwriters of the ‘70s” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.

Sat.  June 22
Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held June 22 and 23 at the Municipal Complex.

Sat.  July 6
Fireworks
PUTNAM --- Fireworks will be held around the Putnam Rotary Park. Rain date is July 13.

Sun.  Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.

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