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By Ron P. Coderre
Today’s sporty hello goes out to one of the area’s best golfing couples, Bill and Dawn Poirier. In addition to their golfing prowess they’re also known for their support of many community activities.
The Putnam Science Academy gymnasium was filled with a flurry of basketball activity this week despite the fact that the hoop season is a couple months on the horizon. Some of the nation’s top college coaches and their assistants were on hand as part of recruiting trips along the East Coast. Specifically, they were in Putnam in an effort to entice one of coach Tom Espinosa’s top players Dayshon Smith to attend their school.
Among the biggest NCAA Division I coaching names in the country on hand was Archie Miller, University of Dayton; Jim Ferry, Duquesne University; James “Bruiser” Flint, Drexel University; Jamie Dixon, University of Pittsburgh; and Mark Schmidt, St. Bonaventure University. Other names of note on hand were Tyson Wheeler, Fairfield University; Brian Blaney, Providence College assistant coach; and Bobby Walsh, head coach at Division III Rhode Island College. Other schools that were represented included Bryant University; University of Illinois; University of Maine; Manhattan University; Memphis University; University of New Hampshire; Penn State University; and the University of Richmond.
It was a veritable ‘who’s who’ among college coaches that graced the Putnam community and the Putnam Science Academy campus, to talk to Smith and observe him working out. The 6-foot, 2-inch all-purpose guard arrived on the PSA campus last year and was a vital cog in the Mustangs success. A former student at Brother Rice High School in New York, Smith came to Putnam following the closure of the parochial school.
Smith, whose nickname is “Scoochie,” enjoyed a great summer playing for his AAU team, the New York Lightning. His play elevated his stock from a mid-major prospect to a topflight Division I prospect.
He’s described by Espinosa as a, “mature young man with a solid academic standing. He’s a team player with an acute basketball IQ. ”
“Attending Putnam Science Academy has done a great deal to prepare me for college. That’s how I look at it,” Smith told the New York Post this summer.
All American Red Heads
in Basketball Hall of Fame…
The most recent class to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., included a former Thompson resident and Tourtellotte Memorial High School graduate. That’s correct, someone from Thompson will have their name in the Hall along with the likes of Cousy, Bird, Magic, Summit, Calhoun, Auriemma and other legends of the game.
Cindy Laliberte is a name that’s been forgotten by most local basketball enthusiasts. It was uncovered recently by members of the Tourtellotte Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, when they read that the members of the famous All American Red Heads were being inducted in the Basketball H of F.
A look into the local record books indicates that Laliberte graduated from Tourtellotte in 1974. At graduation she was honored as the school’s “Best Female Athlete” along with Brian Warren, who received the male honor. While she was in high school, she saw the All American Red Heads play in a charity game at Woodstock Academy, which set her on her quest to try out for the team that was based out of Caraway, Ark.
A look back at a Red Heads game program, describes the 5-10 Laliberte as a Top Scoring – New England “Lass With Class.” At the time she was in her fourth season with the team. The profile continues, “(She) is a strong, agile, and very mobile girl that plays the game of basketball with a big effort. Cindy is one of the top scorers for the Red Heads. “Cindy” is a very attractive Red Head, and one of the Red Heads most popular players and person.” It goes on further: “Miss Laliberte is doing a great job with her strong drive – featuring Cindy’s special – her own version of a 'Driving Hook Shot”'– is a strong rebounder and has a good outside shot. Cindy is a fierce competitor.” Laliberte had an impassioned love of the game, as the Red Heads traveled the country playing at least 200 games per year. Her first contract was approximately $350 per month with an additional $7 per day for food. When she played high school ball in 1974 the Tourtellotte Lady Tigers were coached by Miss Bates. Laliberte’s teammates: Debbie Trapenier, Kathy O’Leary, Alice Monroe, Donna Tetreault, Linda Carito, Norma Davis, Sherry Therrien, Kathy Soule, Barbara Alim, Cheryl Meagher, Carol Trepanier and Melissa Racicot.
Hole–In–One…
Congratulation to Sue Jodoin of Webster who had her first career hole–in–one Sept. 12 on the par three, 17th hole at Raceway Golf Club in Thompson. She used her 7-wood for the shot, which measured 160 yards. She was playing a Marianapolis logo Titleist Pro V1. Her shot was witness by the three members of her playing group. She was rewarded for her shot with a 2012 Ford Focus from Place Motors in Webster.
Another Canty Product in Hall of Fame…
The Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2010 inducted a 1955 graduate who was greatly influenced by the late coach Jim Canty. Jerome “Jerry” Ryscavage was a three-sport star for the Tigers from 1952 through 1955, when he starred in basketball, baseball and cross-country. Ryscavage was a member of the 1952 Quinebaug Valley Conference championship basketball team. A prolific scorer and rugged rebounder, he is a member of the school’s 1000-point club. Following graduation, Ryscavage went on to play three sports at UConn before transferring to CCSU. He was a member of the Blue Devils basketball and baseball teams for three seasons, earning Most Valuable Player honors in basketball in 1959. He was awarded the Gladstone Award for Academics and Athletics at his CCSU graduation.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “My husband says he’s learning karate to defend my honor. I told him to mind his own business.” Phyllis Diller