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All-Stars
Putnam Town Crier Sports
Prep & High School All Stars
Woodstock Academy dominated the boys’ high school basketball news over the winter, and rightfully so. The Acads under the direction of coach Greg Smith were the area’s feature team, finishing with a sparkling 24-3 record and the CIAC Class L championship. It’s of little wonder that they also dominate the PTC All Star team.
Putnam Science Academy (22-8) and Marianapolis (21-9) were the area’s premier prep schools and dominate the voting in the men’s prep star roster.
Plainfield (16-7) and Putnam (15-7) were the top female high school teams and feature a number of players on the All Star unit. The prep ranks witnessed Pomfret (20-5) and Marianapolis (19-9) leading the way as they advanced to post season play in their respective conferences.
Regardless of what team you rooted for, the local boys and girls provided some exciting and memorable moments in 2013.
High School Boys All Star Team
First Team:
Ian Converse (Sr.), Woodstock Academy - Team’s leading scorer, 20+ points per game and rebounder, 12 per game; All-State and Connecticut All-Academic selection; also plays soccer and baseball; played in Connecticut East-West All Star Game for Class L team; accepted to Worcester Polytechnic Institute but being pursued by a number of other schools.
Chris Lowry (Jr.), Woodstock Academy – Team’s assist leader and floor general; averaged 13 points and eight assists per game; All State selection; resident of Union who returns next season for his senior year.
Kaevon Safford (Jr.), Tourtellotte – Averaged approximately 20 points per game; strong to the hoop; led Tourtellotte to the ECC and State tournament.
Ryan Pambuku (Jr.), Plainfield – Averaged 17 points per game; good outside shooter with 65 three-pointers; led Plainfield to the ECC and State Tournament.
Devin Willard (Sr.), Killingly – Mainstay of the Killingly offense, averaged 15+ points per game; hit 51 three-point shots.
Second Team: Jordan Panteleakos – Ellis Tech; Mike Jezierski – Tourtellotte; Tristan Welch – Woodstock Academy; John John Esperrago – Plainfield; Sullivan Gardner – Woodstock Academy.
Honorable Mention: John McGinn – Woodstock Academy.
Most Valuable Player: Ian Converse. Unsung Hero: Tristan Welch. Coach of the Year: Greg Smith – Woodstock Academy.
Prep School Boys All Star Team
First Team:
Dayshon Smith (Sr.), Putnam Science Academy – Averaged 18 points and eight assists per game; MVP Northeast Prep School Tournament; received full scholarship to the University of Dayton; 1000-point career scorer; had 65 three-point baskets.
Mike Mallory (PG), Marianapolis – Team floor general; capable scorer, who drives well to the hoop; courted by a number of colleges; led MPS to NEPSAC Tournament; averaged 18 points per game.
Jemal Mosley (PG), Putnam Science Academy – Averaged 15 points per game; Northeast Prep School Tournament All Star; verbally committed to University of New Haven.
Christian Ejiga, Hyde School-Woodstock – Good big man with tremendous leaping ability; Averaged double figures; Northeast Prep School Tournament All Star.
Isiah Henderson, Pomfret School – Averaged double figures; team leader on the floor.
Honorable Mention: Kenneth Grant – Hyde School-Woodstock; Stephen Edmonds – Marianapolis; Paul Brooks, Putnam Science Academy; Greg Senat – Marianapolis.
Most Valuable Player: Dayshon Smith. Unsung Hero: Paul Brooks. Coach of the Year; Andrew Vitale – Marianapolis.
High School Girls All Star Team
First Team:
Ashley Espinosa (Sr.), Putnam – Averaged 16 points per game; played in Connecticut East-West All Star Game on Class S team; headed to Worcester State University; led Clippers to CSC and State Tournament.
Morgan Griffin (Sr.), Plainfield – Team leading scorer at 18 points per game; led Plainfield to ECC and State Tournament; MVP Putnam Rotary Club Ray Brousseau Senior Shootout; going to Post University where she’ll play volleyball.
Lindsey Weigand (Sr.), Woodstock Academy – Team leading scorer averaging double figures; strong rebounder; led Centaurs to ECC and State Tournament; headed to Keene State University in New Hampshire to play basketball.
Taylor Sarty (Sr.), Killingly – Four year varsity performer; only senior on the team; leading scorer and rebounder.
Haley Beausoleil (Sr.), Plainfield – Key defensive player for Panthers; good outside shooter with 31 three-point baskets; MVP Putnam Rotary Club Ray Brousseau Senior Shootout.
Honorable Mention: Monica Phongsa – Putnam.
Most Valuable Player: Morgan Griffin. Unsung Hero: Lindsey Weigand. Coach of the Year: Willie Bousquet – Putnam.
Prep School Girls All Star Team
First Team:
Morgan Olander (PG), Pomfret School – Team leading scorer (14 ppg.) and rebounder; led team to prep school tournament; has four-year scholarship to Bryant University; brothers played basketball at Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut.
Sydney Latour (Sr.), Marianapolis – Team leading scorer averaged double figures; led team to NEPSAC Tournament; 1000-point career scorer; four year varsity player: SENE Player of the Year.
Janicha Diaz, Hyde School-Woodstock – Averaged 14 points per game; led team to 11-6 record.
Juliette Lawless, Pomfret School – Glue to Pomfret School offense and defense; led team to prep school tournament.
Jill Bodreau (Jr.), Marianapolis – Double digit scorer; area’s leading female three-point shooter with 45; led team to prep school tournament; second team SENE All Star.
Honorable Mention: Cashmir Fulcher – Hyde School-Woodstock.
Most Valuable Player: Sydney Latour. Unsung Hero: Jill Bodreau. Coach of the Year Rebecca Brooks – Pomfret School.