Preview
Topsy turvy
basketball
season starts
By Ron P. Coderre
The local boys’ high school basketball season kicked into full swing last week, joining girls’ high school basketball and the prep teams that got underway a week earlier.  Much like their more senior counterparts, the college and pro ranks, everyone is optimistic prior to the initial tap off.  However, as the season progresses the cream always seems to rise to the top and the positive outlooks don’t always materialize as first thought.
Some early season results have left many media prognosticators scratching their heads.  They’ve also posed some huge question marks in the minds of some coaches while putting huge smiles on the visages of others.
A specific team that has posed some great big question marks is the play of the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs.  The PSA preseason billing indicated that this might be the deepest and best combination of talent that coach Tom Espinosa has ever assembled in the brief history of the program.  Talk of participation in the National Prep Tournament was even prevalent as the team was evaluated on paper.  The paper team however, doesn’t always match up with what occurs on the hardwood.
With the likes of Dayshon Smith headed to the University of Dayton, Jonte Rutty a three-point shooting ace, big men Ugur Hortum and Paul Brooks and the trio of Joel Angus, Mairega Clarke and Jemal Mosley it appeared the Scientists had the makings of a championship team.
Oops!  Something happened on the way to the gymnasium.  After eight games the Mustangs are a surprising 3-5, causing concern in their rooting section.  Food for thought — the five losses have come at the hands of some very good teams, the likes of Wilbraham & Monson, Notre Dame Prep and South Kent and the margin has been by a total of 15 points, with four of the five games by the slim margin of one or two points.  In other words, the Mustangs, with any luck could easily be 7-1 as opposed to the current 3-5.
After today’s game in the City Legendz High School Invitational the team is off for school holiday until Jan. 9.  When they return the Mustangs have 20 games in six weeks to get their act together.
In an amazing feat as about equivalent as putting a man on the moon, Woodstock Academy under coach Greg Smith opened the season with a big win over visiting Ellington High School.  But more surprisingly was the feat they accomplished Dec. 14 when they went into the New London Whalers aquarium, Conway Gymnasium, which is usually filled with man-eating basketball teams and reversed the tide on the Whalers.
The Centaurs left New London with a stunning Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division victory, 60-48.  Ian Converse with 24 points and Chris Lowry with 15 had 39 of the teams 60 markers.
In the preseason prognostications, Smith noted that the team’s goal was to win the ECC Large crown and tournament championship.  Those who have followed Woodstock basketball over the years raised their eyebrows at those words.  It’s early but maybe Smith knew something that others didn’t.
In the Putnam gymnasium coach Willie Bousquet of the women’s program coyly noted that his goals with this year’s team were modest though optimistic. Bousquet has his young Lady Clippers off to a running start at 3-0.
Led by the all-around play and scoring of Ashley Espinosa and supplemented by Monica Phongsa and Mackenzie Kaylor the Lady Clippers appear headed to a successful season.  Like their coach, this team could be sneaky this season and surprise in the CSC.
Dave Walley, who’s been around the Woodstock girls’ program a few years, thought that prior to the season this could be a decent year for the Lady Centaurs.  After four games the team is 0-4 and struggling to find an identity.  Four-year starter Lindsey Weigand has had a target on her back.  Her supporting crew has not been able to find consistency in its game.  Unless things change quickly the season could be a long one for the Acads.
Tourtellotte women under coach Carla Faucher have had difficulty finding the winning column in recent years.  This year with the Petres, Dana and Colyn, Nicole Dion and Ashley Gendreau the team opened with two victories, an unusual occurrence and something that hasn’t been seen in N. Grosvenordale since Santa Claus was a little boy.  The team has quickly found its water level, losing its next two games and beginning to look like a deer in the head lights.
Coach Mark Lowell and the Killingly Redgals made tremendous strides last season however, the loss of Devan Hill has left this year’s team talent depleted.  Lowell had a small turnout of candidates for tryouts and is playing a very young squad.  The rebuilding process may take a couple of years in Danielson.  
The season is underway.  Stay tuned.

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