PSA alumni make their mark in 2026 March Madness
As the excitement builds for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, the influence of Putnam Science Academy continues to shine on college basketball’s biggest stage. The Mustangs’ nationally recognized program will be represented throughout the tournament by a number of former players and coaches who helped build the academy’s championship tradition.
Among the coaching ranks, former PSA standout Mamadou Diarra is currently on the staff of the UConn Huskies men’s basketball. Another familiar face from the Mustangs’ sidelines, Shane Doyle—who helped guide Putnam Science Academy to the 2018 national prep championship — now serves on the staff of the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball.
Several former PSA players will also take the floor during the tournament. Barry Evans, a member of the PSA Class of 2022, was part of the historic 38–0 undefeated national championship team at Putnam Science Academy. Evans is a senior wing for VCU. His team remains one of the most dominant squads in the program’s history.
Mo Dioubate, who played at PSA before graduating in 2023, is now competing for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball. During his time at Putnam Science, Dioubate helped the Mustangs secure back-to-back national prep championships in 2022 and 2023, cementing the program’s reputation as a national powerhouse.
Another former Mustang, Jaeden Roberts (Class of 2024), is now a guard for the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball. Roberts was part of last year’s national championship team at Putnam Science Academy and continues to carry that winning experience into the college game. In the frontcourt, Ugonna Onyenso, a center for the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball, represents the PSA Class of 2022. Onyenso was also a key member of the Mustangs’ undefeated national championship squad.
Another champion making his presence felt at the college level is Collins Onyeniaka, who helped Putnam Science capture the 2023 national championship. Onyeniaka now plays for the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball and will look to contribute during the tournament run. From coaching staffs to starting lineups, the fingerprints of Putnam Science Academy can be found throughout this year’s March Madness field. The continued success of these former Mustangs highlights the academy’s role as one of the premier prep basketball programs in the country.

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Far left:  UConn Assistant Coach Mamadou Diarra with PSA head coach Tom Espinosa. Left: University of Virginia star Ugonna Onyenso.

Devlin caps off outstanding career
Senior Nick Devlin has officially closed the chapter on a remarkable four-year career with the Putnam High School Clippers basketball team, leaving behind a legacy defined by leadership, versatility, and dedication.
A two-year captain and starter, Devlin played a pivotal role in the Clippers’ success this season, helping lead the team to an impressive 11–10 record. The team also secured a second-place finish in the ECC and earned a berth in the 2026 state tournament.
Individually, Devlin’s efforts did not go unnoticed. He was named Second Team All-ECC and earned Scholar-Athlete of the year honors. Notably, he achieved All-ECC recognition in back-to-back seasons, further solidifying his impact on the court. Devlin averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game while shooting a team high 48 percent from the floor.  Devlin also recorded 6 double doubles throughout the season.
Head coach Sean Deary said Devlin’s contributions extended far beyond statistics. “Nick is just a wonderful young man. I couldn’t ask for anything more—not just as a basketball player, but as a captain of the team. He keeps everyone focused and ready to go. It’s like having a player-coach on the court.”
Deary also praised Devlin for how he represented the program, adding that he “wears the blue and white the right way.”
A true multi-sport athlete, Devlin excelled not only in basketball but also stood out on the soccer field and baseball diamond. His involvement in numerous extracurricular activities made him one of the most well-rounded student-athletes at the school.
Following graduation, Devlin plans to attend a four-year college in New England, where he will undoubtedly continue to build on his academic and athletic success.
Devlin’s legacy at Putnam will endure. Teammates consistently describe him as unselfish, hardworking, smart, and tough—qualities that defined his time as a Clipper.

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Kenneth C. Carpenter Sr., Retired, Putnam Police Department
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Kenneth C. Carpenter Sr., 82, of Boulder City, formerly of Putnam, died on March 11, 2026, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas. He was the loving husband of Suzanne (Breckel) Carpenter. Born in 1943 in Dudley, he was the son of the late Clinton B. and Elsie (Bates) Carpenter.
Mr. Carpenter was a graduate of H.H. Ellis Technical School. He retired from his dream job as a patrolman for the Putnam Police Department in 1983 at the age of 39 due to heart issues.
Ken was a man who spent the rest of his life helping anyone he could in any way possible and because of this he was well loved by his neighbors and friends.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Suzanne Carpenter of Boulder City; his son, Kenneth C. Carpenter Jr. and his companion, Evelyn Lawrence of N. Grosvenordale; his sister-in-law Connie Carpenter of Thompson; nieces and nephews, Brad Carpenter, David Carpenter, Jane Howell, Dawn Dowd, Adrianne Rafferty, and Dale Weiner. He was predeceased by his siblings, Donald Carpenter and Harriette Dowd, and a niece, Elizabeth Santerre.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. March 26; from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 27 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a service in the funeral home at 11. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Webster. Donations: Putnam Police Department, Crime Prevention Fund, 189 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. 

Randall Frederick Haines
With broken hearts and deep love, we share the passing of Randall Frederick Haines, husband of Geraldine Haines, first born son of Robert Hall Haines and Nellie Buchok of Southington. He grew up and attended schools there with his sister Cathy Haines and brother Brian Haines.
He had a loving smile and great sense of humor, loved playing guitar, and most of all had a deep love for the Lord Jesus.
He played baseball in high school, and lacrosse in college as well as other sports.
Six years at Southern Connecticut State University awarded him a master’s degree in library science.
After his marriage in 1983 to Geraldine Berger, he worked at the Choate Rosemary Hall Library in Wallingford in addition to delivering mail on campus. 
Together they raised two wonderful children, Julia R. Haines and Joel C. Haines while in Wallingford then in Putnam.
While in Wallingford, he then worked at the Cheshire Reformatory as a librarian, moved onto the Manross Memorial Library in Bristol.
After moving to Putnam in 1988, he was head librarian at Pearl L. Crawford Memorial Library in Dudley.
From there he worked as children’s librarian at the Putnam Public Library and his last job as children’s librarian for 15 years at East Lyme Public Library. He attributed his love for working with children at the library to his wife, Geri Berger Haines. He loved doing story hours and crafts and arranging summer programs for the children. It brought out his more creative side, he said.
Randy battled Parkinson’s disease since 2006 for 20 years and went through multiple physical hardships through the years because of the Parkinson’s.
He loved playing Scrabble with his wife while in retirement along with Yahtzee and Bingo with his two children and three grandchildren, Lennox, Liam and Nadia Haines, in spite of his pain.
On Nov. 29, 2025, he was sent to Hartford Hospital where he was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the liver.
He died peacefully in his home with family around him on March 20, 2026.
His love for the Lord Jesus would shine through his life as he dealt with his pain through the years. 
He will be forever in our hearts.
 A Memorial Service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 8, at Lighthouse Church in Plainfield with reception following.

Fabiola M. (DuBois) Cutler
PUTNAM — Fabiola M. (DuBois) Cutler, 96, of East Putnam passed away on March 10, 2026. 
Born in 1929 in Putnam, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Isidore and Mina (Bazinet) DuBois. She was the loving wife of the late Robert W. Cutler for 39 years. Robert died July 1987. Fab worked at EASTCONN as a GED registrar and did data entry retiring in 2000.
She enjoyed compiling family genealogies and research for the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, and was a Charter member serving as its archivist.
She leaves her son Russell Cutler and daughter-in-law Annemarie of East Putnam; her grandchildren, Gary Cutler of Seattle, Crystal Ethridge of East Putnam and Shawn Cutler of Gardner, Mass.; and two great-grandchildren, Nathaniel and Jacob Cutler.  She was predeceased by her son John Cutler and his wife Linda of East Hartford.
Fab was predeceased by five sisters; Rita Landry, Loretta Starzyk, Gertrude Vaillant, Yvette Lapointe, and Jeanne Charron and five brothers; Isidore, Armand, Stewart, Robert and Richard DuBois.  Fab was the last surviving sibling of the 11 children born.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Fabiola’s family from 4 to 6 p.m. April 10 at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Burial will be held in Munyan Cemetery, Munyan Road, Putnam at a later date.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.  Donations: Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, 200 School St., Suite 250, Putnam, CT 06260.

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