By Ron P. Coderre

One of the flaws on Woodstock Academy’s record this season was an early season loss to ECC Large Division opponent Ledyard.  The Centaurs had an opportunity to rectify that situation but were unable to get past the Colonels for the second time this season as they lost 91-77 on the road.  The Ledyard victory puts the Colonels squarely in control of the ECC Large Division.

The remainder of the high school teams had a rough week with only Putnam and Tourtellotte picking up wins.  The Tigers had the best week, beating a pair of pesky foes Lyman and Griswold.

Putnam Science Academy continued to rule the preps as the Mustangs posted two wins this week, raising their record to 19-2 and 11 in a row.  Marianapolis continued its improved play with a pair of victories, while Hyde-Woodstock tasted victory with an overtime win against Winchendon School.

Woodstock Passes 1 Tough Test, Fails Another

Things don’t get any easier for the CIAC defending Class L Champion Woodstock Centaurs as they move toward postseason play.  The Acads had a pair of rugged contests last week.  They passed one with flying colors but dropped the second despite a ferocious effort.

In a high-scoring affair Woodstock lost to ECC Large Division leader Ledyard 91-77.  A big second quarter in which the Colonels posted a 24-7 edge was the difference in the contest.  Despite a valiant effort to get back in the game the weary Centaurs were unable to muster enough offense.

Woodstock placed four players in double figures in the loss, led by a 25 point effort by big man Adam Converse.  Trent Peters, with three from beyond the arc added 13, while John McGinn also had 13 and Chris Lowry 12.

Earlier in the week Woodstock played a solid game from start to finish beating visiting Norwich Free Academy 58-48 as Will Bourgeois posted a game high 22 points for the 11-3 and 4-2 Large Division Centaurs.

Tourtellotte raised its record above the .500 mark to 7-6 with and 81-68 win over Lyman followed by a big road win 57-53 over Griswold.  Mike Jezierski with 23 points on six treys was the Tigers leading scorer, while high scoring Kaevon Safford had 22 and Walter Rocca chipped in 13 in the win over Lyman.

The win over Griswold was decided in the final period when the visiting Tigers went on a 24-11 rampage to come from behind in pulling out the victory.  Safford with 26 big points was the game-high scorer, while Shawn Houle with 11 was also in double figures.

Putnam had a one-and-one week losing big 81-38 to visiting A.I. Prince Tech before rebounding with a 56-43 victory over neighboring Ellis Tech.  Jordan Tetreault had a big night in the win over the Eagles as he posted 22 points.  The Clippers are 3-9 on the year and face the impossible task of having to win six of eight remaining games on the schedule to qualify for the State tournament.

Ellis Tech lost its only other game, 66-53 to Grasso Tech, remaining winless at 0-13.  Plainfield lost a pair, suffering defeat at the hands of Waterford (63-54) and New London (68-54) falling to 5-8 on the season.  Ryan Pambuku enjoyed a great offensive week, posting 28 against the Lancers and 31 versus the Whalers.  Killingly, like the Panthers, lost a pair, being dropped by New London 78-54 and Montville 70-55.  Nick Hewitt was the lone bright spot for the 6-7 Redmen with 18 against the Whalers and a 31 point explosion against the Indians.

Win Streak Continues for PSA

Putnam Science Academy continues its climb toward a potential berth in the National Prep Tournament in March at Albertus Magnus College with a couple of convincing victories.  The Mustangs opened the week with a successful trip to Kimball Union, returning home victorious 84-67.  The Scientists placed four players in double figures led by Danny “Up tempo” Upchurch and Jordan “Man Mountain” Butler with 16 apiece followed by Dalique Mingo (13) and Anthony Durham (12).  Newcomer Mamadou Dairra, seeing his first action for the Scientists had five points.

In the national Prep School Invitational held at Rhode Island College, the Mustangs faced off against GC Academy from Czechoslovakia and came away victorious 80-61.  Upchurch with 24 points and five assist was the big gun for the Scientists.  Durham had 13 points, nine boards, five assists and four steals in a great all around performance.  Three players Chaise Daniels, Mingo and Butler each had 10 points for the 19-2 Mustangs.

Marianapolis, which appears to be coming together as a unit, had a solid 64-44 win over Brimmer & May behind a balanced scoring attack.  Ryan Bernstein had 13 points with Eric Long and Bobby Ahearn chipping a dozen apiece and Eric Murdock Jr. adding 10 points.

The Golden Knights then produced big 57-56 win over always tough perennial power Worcester Academy.  Chiamaka Browne with 13 points led a trio of scorers in double digits.  He was joined by Long (11) and Ahearn (10) for 9-6 overall and 5-3 NEPSAC-AA Marianapolis.

Topsy-turvy Hyde-Woodstock produced an 84-81 win over the Winchendon School as Kenny Grant awoke from his lethargy with an outstanding 40-point outing.  Dexter Thompson had 22 and Damon Gomes 12 for the Wolfpack.  Greens Farms School came to Woodstock and found verdant pastures, beating Hyde 63-59 in a nip-and-tuck contest.  Grant (23), Thompson (13) and Gomes (10) led the 8-9 Wolfpack.

Pomfret lost to Williston Northampton 80-65 despite 23 points from Cam Winston and 21 from Jeff Iyalekhue.  The Griffs are 6-7 on the season.  Marianapolis II raised its record to 10-5 and 5-2 SENE with wins over McDuffie School 61-42, Williams School 51-36 and Falmouth Academy 71-25..  The Golden Knights had four players in double figures in the McDuffie victory, led by Kevin Tata (14), Dylan Horn (13), Andrew Ford (11) and Paul Doherty (10).  The quartet of Ford (13), Matt Sabacinski (12), Horn (12) and Doherty (12) were all in double figures for the winners.

Scoring Leaders:Kaevon Safford – Tourtellotte – 21.8; Ryan Pambuku – Plainfield - 21.6; Anthony Durham – Putnam Science Academy – 18.1; Kenny Grant – Hyde-Woodstock – 17.4; Nick Hewitt – Killingly – 15.6

3-point Leaders: Mike Jezierski – Tourtellotte – 40; Kyle Menard – Putnam Science Academy – 36; Danny Upchurch – Putnam Science Academy – 34; Jalen Terry – Putnam Science Academy – 33

RPC’s Super Standings: Putnam Science Academy – 19-2; Woodstock Academy – 11-3; Marianapolis II – 10-5; Marianapolis I – 9-6; Tourtellotte – 7-6; Hyde-Woodstock – 8-9; Killingly – 6-7; Pomfret School – 6-7; Plainfield – 5-8; Putnam – 3-9; Ellis Tech – 0-12.