Basketball Wrap-up

PSA

Mustangs 

enjoy 3-win 

week

By Ron P. Coderre

Following a disappointing opening season loss to Tilton Academy the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs have moved on, posting three consecutive victories in the past week.  All the wins were accomplished in business-like fashion.

The most impressive victory came on Friday, November 21 at Albertus Magnus College in the National Prep Showcase, when the Mustangs produced an eleven-point, 82-71 win over IMG Academy of Florida.

Leading the charge for the Scientists was sophomore 6-foot, 4-inch Hamidou Diallo in another great performance on the young season.  Diallo was the top scorer with 21 points, while also corralling seven rebounds.  Andrew Robinson, whoís been playing strongly in the early going, contributed 17 points and five boards.

Point guard Kealen Ives ran the show for coach Tom Espinosaís 3-1 Mustangs.  He dished out five assists to go along with 14 points and seven caroms.  Josh Wallace, who has been a force as the first man off the bench, sparked the Mustangs with 12 points and five boards.

ìThis was a great win for our program.  IMG is a very good team and our performance helped us assess just where this team is at this juncture of the season,î said Espinosa.

The Scientists opened the home portion of their schedule Nov. 17 with a convincing 125-94 victory over visiting Coastal Academy of Belmar, N.J.  PSA placed six players in double figures, led by a show that had to be witnessed to be appreciated by the 16-year old Diallo, who poured in 39 points from every conceivable angle.

ìDiallo was very good,î said Espinosa.  ìDespite the fact that this was a high-scoring affair, he demonstrated just what he means to this team.î

Ives, who was seven-for-eight from three-point range, had 29 points on a spectacular long-range shooting demonstration.  The Robinson twins, Andrew (11) and Aaron (10) were solid on both ends of the court.  Rounding out the double digit scorers were Wallace with 14 and Dondre Rhoden with 10 markers.

The following evening the Mustangs squared off against Spire Institute of Ohio and came away with another big win, 92-52.  The Scientists jumped out to an insurmountable 51-21 halftime advantage and coasted to the win, placing five players in double figures.  

Mamadou Diarra paced the quintet of double digit scorers with 17 points as the markers were evenly distributed.  He was followed in the scoring parade by Wallace with 16 points, Andrew Robinson with 14 and Aaron Robinson and Diallo with a dozen apiece.

Next up for the Mustangs is a road trip Dec. 1 against Redemption Christian Academy in Massachusetts followed by the Best Western Caisson Shootout in Virginia.  The three-day event against some of the best preps in the nation is scheduled to be televised on ESPNU.

 

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