By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Putnam Atty. Nick Longo.  A little known fact, Longo was a star hoopster at Putnam High School and went on to a four-year college career at Clark University in Worcester.  Atty. Longo blew out another candle on the cake on Feb. 26.

The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs recently went on the road for a rugged four-game road trip and came home holding their heads high after winning three and dropping one for only their third loss of the season.  Along the way they beat a very good South Kent School, avenged an earlier season loss to Notre Dame Prep and took the final game of the sojourn at Bridgton Academy in Maine.

The lone loss of the trip came at the hands of the nation’s #1 ranked team Brewster Academy in a game that was called with eight minutes remaining to be played.  Here’s how the outcome of that contest came out as related by Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa.

“Everything started when PSA standout Kyle Menard was called for a hard but clean foul on a Brewster player with both players going down to the floor.  On the way up, words were exchanged but no punches were thrown.  Seeing their teammate in a verbal confrontation, the Mustang players on the bench ran out on to the court to support him.

“After things were calmed down by the coaches and officials, the Brewster Athletic Director made the decision to terminate the contest.  His decision gave the victory to host Brewster Academy.  The coaches, players and officials wanted to continue the contest; however, based on a similar experience last year with another team, the AD made his decision and stuck by it.

“Our kids should have stayed on the bench.  That’s the rule and I understand we we’re wrong for leaving the bench area.  It’s difficult to swallow but it was the correct call,” said coach Espinosa.

So now you have the rest of the story as a noted radio personality was known to say on his daily commentary.

As a result of the trip, the Mustangs are 25-3 but the loss dropped them one spot in the Next Up Recruits National Post Grad Rankings.  Brewster Academy remains #1 with St. Thomas More of Oakdale, a team the Scientists have beaten this season, moving into the #2 slot.  Putnam Science Academy is ranked #3.

The remainder of the Top Ten is as follows: #4 Fishburne (VA); #5 Hargrave (VA); #6 New Hampton (NH); #7 Northfield Mt. Hermon (MA); #8 Massanutten (VA); #9 IMG Academy (FL); #10 Fork Union (VA).     

Save The Date

Putnam Rotarian Willie Bousquet, organizer of the Raymond Brousseau High School Senior Basketball Shootout, reminds readers to mark their calendars for the 2014 event.  Sponsored by the Putnam Rotary Club the basketball game, featuring senior male and female players from high schools and prep schools throughout the region is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at Putnam High School.  The girls’ contest is scheduled to tipoff at 6 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 7:30.

This is the final time that local fans will have an opportunity to see their favorite players in action.  The evening is fast paced, fun-filled and packed with action.  Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for senior citizens and students.

Working with Bousquet on the organizing committee are Club President Brad Favreau, Peter Benoit, Doug Valentine, Bob Halloran, Deb Hoft and Charlie Puffer.

Woodstock Matmen Fare Well

Woodstock Academy produced three wrestlers who medaled in the recent Eastern Connecticut Conference Wrestling Champions.  In the 14 weight classes that were competed the Centaurs produced a pair of Silver medalists and a Bronze.

Senior Nick Listro took home a second place Silver in the 145 pound weight class, while fellow senior Nick Davis captured a pair of matches on the final day to take home a Bronze Medal in the Heavyweight class.  Junior Graysen DeLuca took home a Silver Medal in the 152 pound weight class.

Good News from Quinnipiac

The former Marianapolis pair of senior Ike Azotam and junior Ousmane Drame combined for a 17-for-30 shooting performance from the floor to lead Quinnipiac University to its fifth straight win in the MAAC, a 74-64 victory over St. Peter’s on Senior Day.  Azotam, who is coming to the end of his college career, had 16 points and 11 rebounds.  It was his 41st career double-double, tying him with Jonte Rutty for the most in Quinnipiac history.  His performance also pushed him over the 1500-points career mark.  

Drame matched a career-high as he posted 23 points and grabbed 12 boards for his 10th double-double of the season.

From The Annals of Putnam Sports History…

November 1912: Putnam High School defeated Woodstock Academy in basketball 70-3, Woodstock making only three foul shots.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

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