By Ron P. Coderre

Although the records and statistics of Putnam High School basketball from 1968 to 1972 are not complete, there is one statistic from that time period that is very accurate.  That number is 1,481, the number of points scored by a young man during his four-year Putnam basketball career.  

During those years this young man by the name of Gary LaFlamme emerged on the Putnam sporting scene and basketball hardwood and despite the absence of the three-point arc in those days, he is remembered as the best pure shooter ever in Clipper history.  He surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in his junior year.  

It took some time for the news to reach Putnam from The Villages in Florida that Gary LaFlamme had died May 21.  As the word of LaFlamme’s death began to spread the stories of his heroics as a Putnam basketball player and athlete were shared by his former teammates, friends and acquaintances. 

LaFlamme was the first Putnam player to be named to the Class S All-State team twice, 1971 and 1972.  As a freshman, LaFlamme became an instant varsity player.  A four-year varsity performer and a three-time Quinebaug Valley Conference Northern Division All-Star, he led the Clippers to three QVC North titles and their first QVC Tournament title in 1971.

In 1971 he was named the QVC Tournament Most Valuable Player following a 41-point scoring outburst in the title game against Griswold, a team that boasted the likes of Mitch Brissette, Dave Drobiak and Roger LaFrancois.  He also led the team to berths in the Class S semifinals in 1970 and 1971.

The memories of LaFlamme are of a handsome, rugged, well-toned basketball player who possessed lightning quick speed and the hands of a Houdini.  He was equally adept on defense as he was on offense.  He dribbled with bursts of speed that left him open for his deadly jump shot or for an acrobatic drive to the hoop past an awe-struck defender.  Despite his great individual skill, he was a tremendous team player.

He stands as the #2 career scorer in Putnam history, but some will contend he didn’t have the advantage of the three-point circle and the teams of his day didn’t play as many games as they often do today.  Had he had those advantages, many believe he could have scored more than 2000 points.

Although he’s primarily remembered as a basketball player, off the hardwood LaFlamme was a tremendous running back for coach Jim Greenhalgh on the gridiron and was a star performer on the baseball diamond.

The shocking news of LaFlamme’s death at the young age of 60 still has folks who knew him shaking their heads in disbelief.  Those same people are also running through the memories of Gary LaFlamme as an athlete, driving down the court of the Putnam High School gym, running around end on the football field or stroking a base hit at Murphy Park.  Whatever the memory, one thought remains; Gary LaFlamme was one of the best to ever wear the Putnam blue and white.  Rest in peace, Gary LaFlamme.

 

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