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Fab 5
The Putnam Science Academy “Fab 5” basketball team includes, back, left to right: Adis Mumonovic, Wilson Arob and Tyree Robinson. Front: Anthony Henry and Desmond Williams. Courtesy photo.
By Joe West
PUTNAM — Head Coach Tom Espinosa is starting his fifth season leading the Mustangs. After tying the school record with 17 wins during the 2009-2010 campaign, Coach Tom Espinosa is excited to lead PSA to much bigger things this season. The loss of leading scorer TaQuan Zimmerman is a big one, but this team has more than enough talent to win and make some noise around New England.
The Mustangs begin the season with a winnable game at home against Masters School who they have beaten all three times they have faced each other. Then they’ll travel to Thompson, CT for three tough games at the Hoop Mountain Classic, where they’ll battle Phase One Academy (Canada), St. Andrews and Winchendon Prep. The Mustangs have added this year New England powers Tilton Academy, Proctor Academy, Robinson School, Lee Academy and Boston Trinity. Also, on the schedule again this year are Marainapolis Prep, St. Andrews, Hyde, Pomfret Prep, Brimmer & May and Leadership Prep. Without a doubt the toughest and most challenging schedule in Mustangs history.
The word around PSA is believe. PSA should be tough on both sides of the ball. Arob is down to 240 lbs and they’ll need him to be a shot-blocking force. He can provide the team with much needed physical defense and rebounding. Expect to see Arob throw down some rim-rocking dunks. Nelson is one of the most underrated point guards in New England. He will look to score more and take over a leadership role, as the departed TaQuan Zimmerman will be sorely missed. PSA must fill Zimmerman’s void with scoring and especially clutch scoring. Williams and Henry should provide a nice one-two punch at the guard positions. Both Williams and Henry will need to be steady and provide defensive sparks for the Mustangs. The Mustangs added one the most talented freshman in New England, Tyree Robinson. Robinson is a 6’5” athletic 15 year old who will make you take notice. Adis Muminovic returns for his 4th varsity season with the Mustangs. Muminovic brings size 6’4", toughness and leadership to the group. This core of players knows how to win. If the Mustangs can build team chemistry, be patient, especially early on in the season, and buy into PSA winning style of play, there is no reason this team can’t be successful and believe in big things, said Espinosa.
PSA fell short of their 20 win season hopes a year ago, but this group has more athleticism and experience in the frontcourt and plenty of weapons on the perimeter to help replace the loss of Zimmerman. With the most difficult schedule in school history, PSA should be in many games and should make plenty of noise this year all around New England, he added.