By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s sporty RPC shout out is sent along to Putnam’s Bob Fournier, recently honored by the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce as Business Leader of the Year.  He also celebrated a birthday on February 5.  Happy Birthday, Bob.

Remember Tracy Lis?  In the mid-‘80s she packed the gym at Killingly High School every time the Redgals took the court.  Throngs came out to watch her throw in 50 points or more in a game on more than one occasion.

Moving on to Providence College she did the same thing for Lady Friar’s basketball, packing Alumni Hall on the PC campus.  She went on to play professionally for the New England Blizzard of the old American Basketball League.  Why she even had a stint with the Harlem Magicians and the famed Marques Haines, as the only woman to play for the traveling troupe. 

Well it’s nice to know that Tracy Lis hasn’t been forgotten.  After giving Danielson and northeastern Connecticut hoop fans and then New England basketball fans innumerable nights they’ll never forget, Lis was once again in the spotlight, more than 20 years after she departed Providence College.

As more than one well known honoree has been known to say when recognized many years after graduation, “It’s about time you recognized me.”  Lis didn’t say this but we’ll say it for her.

On Saturday, January 25 Providence College honored Lis by retiring her jersey and raising her banner to the rafters of The Dunk.  She was honored along with a pair of Friar men’s greats, Kevin Stacom and Joey Hassett.  It’s a good bet that between the trio they poured in more than 5000 points for the Friars.  Lis is only the second Lady Friar to have her jersey retired and only the third female to receive this honor in the long and illustrious history of Providence College athletics.

A quick refresher on her accomplishments at PC.  She still stands as the all-time leading female scorer in the history of Providence basketball with 2,543 points in 127 games, which equates to slightly more than 20 points per game.  Add to that the fact that she also corralled 821 career rebounds and you soon realize the impact she had on the program and why she received so many honors when she was a Lady Friar.

She still stands among the leaders in Big East women’s basketball in almost every offensive category.  In 1990 she led her team to the Big East title and the NCAA Sweet 16.  She was named the 1992 ECAC Player of the Year.  And in 2004 the Big East recognized her again by naming her among only 15 players to be named to the conference’s Silver Anniversary team.

At the ceremony at the Omni Hotel honoring Lis for her basketball accomplishments, Lis said, “I’m proud to be a Friar.  It definitely was the right decision to go to Providence College.  Coming back now and being here I see how great of a place PC really is.  This was a wonderful day, seeing the banner unveiled was really special.”

Tracy Lis was also very special, especially on the basketball court.

Youngsters Hoop It Up…

On Saturday, January 11 the Putnam Elks Club ran its annual Hoop Shoot at the Putnam Middle School.  At the end of the competition four winners were crowned and received the honor of moving on to the BPOE Eastern Connecticut District Level shoot out.  Nicholas Renshaw was the 8-9 year old winner, while Jonathan Moore captured the 10-11 division and Aiden Ciquera the 12-13 category.  Kayleigh Lyons was the female winner in the 10-11 year old competition.

Members of the Elks Lodge who organized and worked the event were Mike Stewart, State Hoop Shoot Coordinator, Cassidy Stewart, Alan Phillips, Jacquelyn Robbins, Dennis Golden, Paula and Lori Foster-Krajniak, Walter “Nap” Napierata, Rhonda and Diane Robinson and Marcel Morissette. 

I Want to Go to Disney World…

Nate Trythall,  business manager at The Center for Bone and Joint Care in Putnam, recently fulfilled a dream when he went to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.  Although the trip was part vacation, it was also part work because Trythall ran in the Disney Half-Marathon.  Although recently hampered by a hip injury and unable to go through a full training regime leading up to the marathon, he was able to finish the 13-plus mile event.

Bochain Redux…

In a recent UConn women’s basketball game Moriah Jefferson, Geno Auriemma’s feisty point guard turned in a spectacular defensive performance when she had nine steals and six assists.  The nine steals in one game fell one shy of tying the school record held by former Plainfield High School grad Cathy Bochain and University of Hartford coach Jennifer Rizzotti.  Bochain had her 10 steals in 1980 and Rizzotti did it in 1996.   

Future Teammates…

In a recent basketball game at Putnam Science Academy two players who will be college teammates next year took the court on opposing teams.  Demitruis Floras of the McDuffie School squared off against Chaise Daniels of Putnam Science Academy.  Although PSA prevailed in the game 87-65, Floras turned in a great game for McDuffie scoring 20 points and demonstrating great floor skills.  Daniels had 10 points for the Mustangs while controlling the boards on both ends of the court.  Next season the pair will be playing for coach Tom Moore at Quinnipiac University. 

State Rep at Putnam Rotary…

Dan Rovero State Representative from the 51st Assembly District was the guest speaker at the Putnam Rotary Club on Tuesday, January 21 at J. D. Cooper’s Restaurant.  Rovero spoke on the upcoming session of the Connecticut Legislature and answered a variety of questions on current issues.  Rovero, a 1955 graduate of Putnam High School, was a standout running back for the Clippers on the gridiron and catcher on the baseball team.

Quinnipiac’s Drame Injured…

Ousmane Drame, the former Marianapolis Prep standout and current center at Quinnipiac University, has missed two games for the Bobcats due to a sprained knee.  Drame who is averaging 12.5 point and 9.8 rebounds per game returned to action on Thursday, January 30 in a loss to Canisius.  He was injured in a game against Iona shortly after being named the MAAC player-of-the-week.  He received the honor for averaging 14.5 points and 15.5 rebounds during a 2-1 week.  In a game against Monmouth University Drame turned in a 21 rebound performance.

In Drame’s absence his former Marianapolis teammate Ike Azotam once again had a stellar performance scoring 21points and corralling 12 rebounds in a 90-86 overtime victory over Manhattan.   

From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…

February 1906: Putnam High School defeated Oxford High School 29-16.  Captain Lizotte played the game with one arm bandaged and out of commission, but he nevertheless made 17 points.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger.  Then it hit me.

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