Putnam Science Academy’s boys’ prep team won both of its games last week, but one of those wasn’t the sure thing it seemed to be.
The Mustangs hosted Springfield Commonwealth Academy on Dec. 4 and had a lot of chances throughout to put the game away early before outlasting SCA 106-97 in overtime.
PSA led by four in the final seconds, but a four-point play for SCA with 3.7 seconds to go forced overtime. The Mustangs regrouped and responded in the extra period, scoring the first 10 points to finally seal the win.
“They gave us a battle,” said PSA guard Hassan Diarra, who had 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. “They took our punches and came back with some other punches. We got through it. I’m glad we got through it.
“You feel like (the four-point play) shouldn’t have happened but you switch gears to OT and let’s come at them in OT.”
Elijah Everett finished with season-highs of 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Marty Silvera added 11 points, five assists, and six steals for the Mustangs.
PSA had an easier time on Dec. 8, drubbing West Nottingham (Md.) 88-59. Seemingly everyone contributed to the win in some way, as Diarra had 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals, Silvera and Mekhi Gray had 10 points apiece, JuJu Murray had nine points and eight assists, and Terrell Ard had eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
“We played hard all game, right from the start,” coach Tom Espinosa said after his team improved to 11-0. “Guys played really well. We had great ball movement, guys were making the extra pass. Guys got better in this one.”
Girls’ Prep
PSA’s girls prep team had little trouble in its lone game of the week, a 90-76 win over Bradford Christian Academy (Mass.) on Dec. 7. The Mustangs used their depth to eventually overwhelm the Cardinals in this one.
“This was the first game this season we were able to feel the benefits of our depth,” said coach Amanda Morales. “We could see the girls on the other team, their light was starting to dim and they’re running out of energy. And we come in with three girls off the bench and don’t skip a beat and keep applying that pressure.”
Lani Cornfield scored a game-high 22 points and added six assists and three steals.
Sharpshooter Delaney Haines knocked down five 3-pointers on her way to 21 points.
“We love having Delaney out there on the floor, especially in transition,” Morales said. “We talked to the girls early about finding her. She just opens everything up for us. She adds huge depth and dimension to our offense.”
Sabou Gueye had 14 points, Nasserine William had 11 points and six boards, Niya Fields went for nine points, four assists, and three steals, while Aaliyah Brittian had four points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Traditional Christmas
This 1955 Dodge Job Related truck is carrying a fresh Christmas tree and wreath in the 18th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade held Dec. 8. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
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It was only a little over a week off. If felt like it was longer.
“It was longer,” said Woodstock Academy coach Jacque Rivera said with a laugh. “Even though we had games (before Thanksgiving), the kids were already checked out. They were excited about going home and seeing their families. We have kids from as far away as Washington (state) and Colorado.”
So, Rivera was happy to see the Centaurs Gold prep basketball team post a win over Mount Zion Prep before they left and then get back into the groove of things with an 88-70 win over Redemption Christian Academy in Troy, N.Y., upon their return.
It gave the Centaurs an 8-1 record.
Rivera said he was impressed that the team were able to put up almost 90 points against its Power 5 Conference foes.
Quran McPherson led the Centaurs with 20 points in only 22 minutes of playing time.
McPherson shot 9-of-16 from the floor and added four assists and three rebounds.
Chad Venning, a 6-foot, 10-iinch post player also from Brooklyn, added 17 points in 15 minutes.
Venning made seven of his eight attempts from the floor and six rebounds.
The Centaurs Gold team was supposed to be in action this past weekend but Olympus Prep decided not to make the trek north from Williamstown, N.J., Olympus Prep was supposed to bring two teams with it and play a doubleheader against the Centaurs Gold and Blue teams Dec. 7 and a single game against the Gold Dec. 8.
Blue makes it 6 Straight
The Woodstock Academy Blue prep basketball team got a little revenge Dec. 8 with an 81-68 win over Dexter-Southfield at the Zero Gravity Tournament. Dexter-Southfield downed the Centaurs, 43-32, last season.
Hakan West led the Centaurs with 20 points.
It was the sixth straight win for the Blue team after a brief-three-game losing skid followed a season-opening loss.
“We’ve started to establish some momentum,” Blue coach Denzel Washington said. ”It helps the morale of the team when the guys can actually be happy with things. We’ve won a few in a row now, watched footage and have seen where we made mistakes and are working on correcting those things.”
The Blue squad faced the Redemption Christian Academy Blue squad prior to the Gold game and posted an 89-86 win in Troy.
The Centaurs fell behind by 15 points early, but started to hit some baskets and were able to apply their trademark pressure against RCA.
Vondre Chase from Boston paced the Centaurs with 22 points.
Trevor Green added 16 points and both Darryl MacKey and Nashon Battle tossed in 15 apiece.
“Super busy,” Washington said with a laugh of the pretty full schedule. “December is going to be a very busy month not only for Santa Claus but for us too.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Rain date
didn't dampen
Dazzle parade
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — For a rain date, the 18th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade “was incredible,” according to Chairman Gary Osbrey.
He said there were 140 floats and usually when the parade goes to the rain date, the parade usually loses 10 to 20 entries. This time, he said, only the third time out of 18 years that a rain date was used, three were lost but they picked up another six entries.
He said the parade committee had great feedback from the crowd with visitors from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and beyond.
Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet estimated there were 20,000 spectators. Bousquet said lining the floats up on only one side of Grove Street instead of both worked much better. It was more effective, he said, and also improved safety.
He added that during the parade, there was a medical call on Powhattan Street and the ambulance and medic were able to get through easily. “We’ve done a good job of making the parade clean and now we’re doing better job of making it safer,” Bousquet said.
Bousquet said the committee is likely to keep the one-side lineup and will probably make more use of the side streets off Grove Street.
Osbrey said the quality of the floats continues to improve each year. This was the first year for lining up on one side, he said, and it was an immediate improvement with less congestion.
He added around 50 volunteers were on hand to produce the show including 26 volunteers from High Pointe Church in Thompson.
Osbrey said, “We are delighted with the success of this year’s parade.”
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