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By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM — After signing five top flight recruits in the past month and announcing there was a strong possibility of a sixth player coming on board the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs corral, coach Tom Espinosa announced the signing of his latest recruit on June 24.
In an official e-mail Espinosa relayed the information on his newest recruit, 6-foot, 7-inch, 220-pound Jordan Butler from Glastonbury High School. The rugged center fills a much needed hole that the 2013-2014 Scientists require if they are going to compete with the schedule that Espinosa puts together each year.
“Jordan Butler will be our man in the middle. Not only is he explosive on offense but he’s a game changer on defense as a rebounder and shot blocker. We’re pleased to have him at Putnam Science Academy,” said Espinosa.
Last season Butler, a Hartford resident, led the Glastonbury Tomahawks to an 18-7 record in the Central Connecticut Conference North competition. This was a big improvement from the previous season when the team was 12-10. As a senior Butler averaged 18 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots per game. It was his improved numbers from his junior year that marked the difference in the team’s success. As a junior he averaged 16.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per contest.
In addition to starring on the hardwood, Butler was a huge factor in the success of the Glastonbury football team, which went to the State semifinals where they lost to eventual champion Xavier of Middletown. Butler was a lineman for the Tomahawks.
During the football season, Butler could be found in the evenings at the Albany Ave. YMCA in Hartford, shooting hoops. His work ethic is what made his transition from the football gridiron to the basketball court appear almost seamless.
His high school basketball coach Jim Vaughan characterized Butler as a player who is nonstop on the court and plays equally hard on defense as he does on offense.
Butler comes to Putnam Science Academy with impressive credentials. He leaves Glastonbury High School as the career-leading rebounder and shot blocker. He was a two time CCC All-Conference performer and earned first team All-State honors as a senior.
Butler joins Dan Upchurch from Notre Dame-Fairfield, Kyle Menard, Anthony Durham, Jalen Terry and Dalique Mingo in the PSA fold for the upcoming season.
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