On any given night, Putnam Science Academy men’s prep basketball team is putting at least a dozen Division I scholarship players on the floor. Some nights, such as last Friday night, the opponent only suits up seven players, total.
The Mustangs simply find themselves with a distinct talent advantage in so many of their games, and through their first six (all wins), while Hassan Diarra is the focal point, a number of his teammates have taken their turn to put their individual talents on display. Sometimes it’s D’Maurian Williams, sometimes it’s JuJu Murray, sometimes it’s Eli Everett, sometimes it’s Josh Gray, sometimes it’s Julian Dozier, sometimes it’s … you get the point.
Last Friday, against Redemption Christian Academy, it was Terrell Ard’s turn. The 6-foot, 7-inch, 205-pound wing put his athletic game on full display as one of the major catalysts in the team’s 119-89 win. Ard, a postgrad from Atlanta, had a season-high 13 points to go along with five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Offensively, he took the ball to the basket, and hit short jumpers and long 3-pointers alike. He slashed to the basket, he started fast breaks, and he finished others (with violent alley-oops). Defensively, he dove for loose balls, he created turnovers while guarding the ball and while playing solid help defense.
With a nagging preseason ankle sprain well behind him, there was little doubt that this was his best game of the young season and that this is what he is capable of every time out.
“Terrell played great,” said PSA coach Tom Espinosa. “This is just the beginning. We’re going to play another 35, 36 more games, and down the stretch he’s going to be really, really good.
“He’s a mismatch nightmare. He’s strong enough and can put the ball on the floor, shooting it pretty well, can score it around the rim, he’s a crazy athlete. He’s tough and that’s what we need from him every day.”
Ard hadn’t been much of a factor to this point, as he’s tried to navigate his way through playing in a new system in which his position on the floor can be fluid. He heard from the PSA coaching staff about starting to give more to get more.
“They have been talking to me lately and telling me I needed to pick up my energy,” Ard said. “They just told me to pick it up, and that’s what I feel I did.
“My role on this team is that I’ll help the team in any way. Rebounding, playing defense, whatever it is. What this team needs me to do, I’m going to do it.”
Earlier in the day Friday, Ard picked up another scholarship offer, this one from Siena College. And though he now has more than a dozen to choose from (all mid-major programs), it’s easy to say he is still being overlooked.
“I’ve been to a decent amount of schools and a lot of team camps,” Ard said, “a lot of coaches and players telling me I’ve been the best player there. Everybody who talks to me says I’m a high-major player.
“But I know a lot of those schools haven’t offered because they’re concerned with my motor and they want me to keep that consistent. I’m going to keep working to get what I’ve got to get. And at the end of the day, I’m just going to look for my best fit.”
Friday was a good move in that direction, Diarra said.
“He definitely brought energy. I thought he was more aggressive. He was just playing his game. I thought he looked comfortable out there. And I think he’s figuring out how to play in this system. How to get his a little bit, and how to do what he does well in the system. We’ve seen him do this. He practices hard every day. He can do a lot of things well. He can shoot, defend a lot of people, 1 through 4. When he’s good like that for us, it’s going to be good.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
.
Nominations
sought for PHS
Wall of Honor
PUTNAM — As the Putnam High School Wall of Honor Committee begins preparations for the inauguration of the class of 2020, it is seeking nominations from school alumni and the community.
Established in 2016 as a way to bring alumni back into the fold, the Wall of Honor recognizes PHS graduates who have distinguished themselves and the school through achievements in their chosen field or made significant community contributions.
Putnam’s unique program looks to the accomplishments of individuals who used their PHS education as a springboard to future achievement in chosen careers. The Wall of Honor is in the corridor by the school’s gymnasium entrance.
A nominee must have attended Putnam High or distinguished themselves in service to the school. Leadership, character and community involvement are strongly considered for recognition.
An individual must have left PHS a minimum of five years prior to being considered for nomination. Posthumous awards are accepted and encouraged. All applications remain on file for five years following nomination. Currently there are 40 applications on file that will be reviewed and considered along with any new applications received this year.
The deadline for submitting an application is Dec. 31. Forms available: Superintendent office, Putnam Public Library, WINY and online at the Putnam’s Public School website. For more information call: 860-774-4049.
..
caption:
Ramp
Boxcar committee members, left to right: Patricia Hedenberg, Gerry Tetreault, Sandra Ames, Joy Lizotte enjoying the ramp. Missing: Mary Ellen Ellsworth, Renee Boutin Tsanjoures, Debra Carabina, Frederick Hedenberg, and donor Robert Baumuller.
The Aspinock Historical Society’s Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum rehabilitation project just ramped up substantially with a significant donation from National Seating & Mobility of Pomfret. A can’t miss new feature has been added — a handicap accessible ramp installed to provide accessibility to all visitors.
Fred Hedenberg, long-time member of the AHS Board and Boxcar Museum founder, credits the kind and generous gift coming from his conversation with NS & M’s and Putnam resident, Robert Baumuller, the gentleman that he has been working with closely with during a project in his own home.
The Boxcar project, including materials and labor is valued at over $9,000. Hedenberg has difficulty putting gratitude into words, as the rehabilitation project has been ongoing all year, with many unexpected challenges along the way. This was an unexpected surprise of the best variety.
National Seating & Mobility’s mission is to create personalized solutions to individuals with mobility challenges with industry-leading expertise, uniquely engineered systems and breakthrough technologies. Their vision goes beyond being a preferred provider of mobility solutions, as they reach out and touch lives with a genuine compassion that begins deep within their hearts. It is what will continue to drive them to build lifelong relationships with clients, honoring their journey of independence with ingenuity and excellence that helps them move through life. Mission and goal accomplished in this one swift act of kindness.
As the Aspinock Historical Society continues to their annual appeal goal of a modest $15,000 to aid in continued rehab of both historical landmarks in town; the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum and the Cady Copp House, this donation is a major assist. AHS hopes that the community continues this kindness and keeps paying it forward by donating to the annual appeal. Any amount is appreciated and will be put to good use. Send to AHS, PO Box 465, Putnam, CT 06260.
.
Then
This is what the 1936 boxcar looked like in 2002 before it was transformed into the Gertrude Warner Boxcar Museum in Putnam.
& Now
The Gertrude Warner boxcar Museum recently had the installation of a ramp donated.