By Shawn Bates
Boys
The Clippers (4-2) started off 2018 with a convincing win over Ellis Tech Jan. 2.
Putnam was  playing Ellis for the second time since their 73-48 win a week ago in the Clipper Classic. And the Clippers knew exactly how to win against their old CSC foe. Tyion Harris dropped 7 pts of his team-high 15 in the first quarter to get the Clippers rolling 14-9 from there on all the Clipper ship had to do was sit back and cruise to a 62-38 for their first away game victory.
The only bright spot for Ellis was the 20 pts that Nico Cummings had to lead the Eagles. For Putnam Colby Livingston 13 pts and Sabastian Ramos for his 6 game was in double digits again with 11. The boys played Griswold Jan. 9 and then Jan. 10.  The Clippers  will take the long trek down to Groton to face Grasso Tech.
Girls
The Lady Clippers (6-1) hosted the Pirates and new Head Coach David Kohn Jan. 2. The Clippers, just coming off a win against St. Bernards, kept their foot on the gas and seem to be firing on all cylinders with an impressive 54-43 win over their old CSC rival Parish Hill.
Kayleigh Lyons scored 16 pts to lead all Clippers and Ashley Burke had 11 pts. For Parish Hill Hannah Vieria 18 pts and 10 pts from Maria Tomas.
The Lady Clippers are working hard this week with a three-game schedule starting off with Wheeler on Jan. 8 and then games Jan. 9 at home against Griswold and then Grasso away Jan. 11.
There’s a good chance that coach Mandi Hogan can get her team into the CIAC tournament this week if she can collect two wins out of the three games.