By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Putnam veteran B.J. Cassio.  He was a member of the U.S. Navy submarine corps when on active duty.  Today he spends his time working, helping others and peddling his bicycle.  RPC salutes you B.J.

Chad Neal, the varsity football coach at Killingly High School, puts in many hours with his players, not only during the season but also in the offseason.  The hard work and hours are paying off for some of the young men, according to Neal.

Mitchell Conroy of Brooklyn, who was a two-year starter at defensive end and tight end for the Redmen, is headed to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in September where he will play football.  Conroy was an all-Eastern Connecticut Conference and All- Norwich Bulletin selection as a senior.  The versatile Conroy also played basketball and ran outdoor track for Killingly.  He’s the son of Buddy and Kim Conroy.

Zane Cooke, who also started on the offensive and defensive lines, was recently honored by The Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame as a scholar athlete.  Cooke, who excels in the classroom, was honored at a banquet at the Mohegan Sun.  He was also honored by the CIAC as Killingly’s scholar/athlete in festivities at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

A third Redman from last year’s squad recently ran into some tough luck.  Hard charging fullback Nick Hewitt broke his foot, which may sideline his college plans.  Hewitt was being courted by Castleton State and Mount Ida but may forego college next year for a year of prep school or attending Quinebaug Valley Community College.  Hewitt was also a mainstay of the Redmen basketball and baseball teams.

Two recent graduates of Killingly had good seasons this year on the college level.  Dana Groleau, a 2012 graduate and a former two-year starter on the Killingly offensive line, completed his sophomore year at Becker College in Worcester.  He’s transferred his skills learned at Killingly to the offensive line at Becker where he’s been a starter for two years.

Down the road from Becker at Worcester State University Josh Fortin, a 2010 Killingly grad and former All-State wide receiver, recently completed his junior year for the Lancers.  He started six games and had nine receptions for 129 yards.  Josh’s dad is Jeff Fortin, also a former Redman and a member of the 1981 Killingly State Championship team.

Clinic for Your Basketball Health

Young boys and girls ages 6 through 18 will have an opportunity to learn new basketball skills or improve their skills this summer at the Putnam Science Academy Basketball Clinic.  According to information recently released by clinic director and Putnam Science Academy basketball coach and athletic director Tom Espinosa, three different two-day summer sessions are available to youngsters of varying ages.

The Drills and Skills Clinic is scheduled for boys and girls ages 11-18 on July 18 and 19.  The Shooting Clinic also for boys and girls ages 11-18 is set for Aug. 1 and 2.  The Junior Drills and Skills clinic will take place Aug. 15 and 16 for boys and girls ages 6-10.  All camp times are Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.  The cost for a two-day session is a reasonable $65.  All clinic participants will receive a T-shirt.  All sessions will be held at the Putnam Science Academy gymnasium on 18 Maple St., Putnam.

“The clinics will provide training in fundamental work in all areas of a player’s game.  Camp is a learning experience centered on having fun,” said coach Espinosa.

Espinosa has been the only basketball coach in the history of basketball at Putnam Science Academy.  Since 2006 his teams have amassed a 146-50 record and have gone on to national prominence.  He’s regarded as one of the top teachers of basketball skills on the prep level.  Seven of his players have moved on to play college basketball on the NCAA Division I level.

For more information or to register mail – Putnam Science Academy, Attn: Basketball Coach Tom Espinosa, 18 Maple St., Putnam, CT 06260or call 860 933-0117.  Checks may be made payable to: Putnam Science Academy “Mustang Club.”

High School Baseball Poll Update

It’s highly unlikely that any of the coaches or sports writers who vote in the high school baseball polls read Ramblings, Points and Comments.  Even if they did they probably wouldn’t take our advice.  This week’s polls however, are in agreement with our suggestion made last week.

Despite losing two games, the Plainfield Panthers bounced back with a pair of victories to close out the regular season at a lofty 18-2.  Coach Jason Chaviaras’ Panthers beat St. Bernard 3-2 for win #17 and then took the measure of Montville 4-3 for #18.  With the win over Montville they captured the #1 seed in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Tournament and won the Medium Division outright.

Plainfield was ranked #1 in the New Haven Register and Hartford Courant polls last week.  In this week’s rankings, the Panthers are #5 in the Register rankings and #9 according to the Courant.

Following the ECC Tournament the Panthers will embark on the quest for a State title in the CIAC Tournament.  Stay tuned.

Racing On Memorial Day

The Woodstock Memorial Day 10K Road Race under the direction of Recreation Director Shannon Reynolds drew a large number of entrants again this year.  Since Reynolds has taken over control of the race the event has taken on a new life as she appears to be heading it to the next level.

The race winner was Todd Bennett of Columbia in a time of 37:12.  He had hoped to finish in less than 37 minutes but was happy with his time.  He competed in the Wachusetts Mountain event the previous day.  Quite a feat, two races in two days.

Trailing Bennett was Jon Dipippo of Brooklyn, 38:30.  Third place went to Greg Rossolimo of Pomfret, 39:52, while local favorite Scott Deslongchamps was fourth in a time of 40:01.  The first Woodstock finisher was Christopher Murphy in 42:01.  The big surprise of the day was the seventh-place finisher and fist female to break the tape, Kate Boska.  The 12-year old crossed the finish line in a time of 42:08.

Some of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the Woodstock food bank.

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

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