By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam Science Academy rolled through Virginia on its way to its seventh consecutive victory since losing its opener against Tilton Academy.  Along its route through Virginia and the Best Western Caisson Shootout, the Mustangs took the measure of three national powers, Fork Union Academy, Fishburne Academy and Hargrave Academy.

The Scientists opened the trip with a comeback 78-72 victory over Fork Union.  Down by as many as 26 points at one point and 15 at intermission Putnam Science Academy fought back from a 48-33 halftime score out scoring their opponent 45-24 in the second half.

PSA had four players in double figures led by Josh Wallace with 22 points.  He was joined in double figures by point guard Kealen Ives with 15, Hamidou Diallo 15, and Mamadou Diarra 17.

Less than 24 hours later the Mustangs were on the court, fighting through a long road trip for a 79-73 win over #10 nationally ranked Fishburne.  Coach Tom Espinosa’s charges jumped out to a 40-26 halftime advantage and held on in the second half as they were outscored 47-39.

Once again the Scientists distributed the scoring with four players tickling the twine in double digits led by Diallo with 18 points and six rebounds.  Also in double figures were Ives, Wallace and Andrew Robinson all with 13 points apiece.

In the final game of the road journey the Mustangs fell behind 50-40 at intermission before rallying for a 99-87 victory over Hargrave.  PSA outscored its opponent 59-37 in the second half with an explosive offensive display.  Diallo turned in another stunning performance, leading all scorers with 28 points.  Diarra added 22 points, 12 rebounds and nine dunks in probably his best game of the season.  Ives had 11 points and 11 assists and big Vincent Eze, who was steady all weekend, added eight points and 12 boards.  Wallace rounded out the scoring with 12 points while pulling down five caroms and dishing out five assists.

The Scientists opened the week with a 96-75 win over Redemption Christian behind 25 points from Diallo and 21 from Wallace.  Also producing double figures were Aaron Robinson 14, Andrew Robinson 19 and Diarra 11.  

The Mustangs are 7-1 as they prepare for a home contest on Friday, December 12 against Coastal Academy Gray before going on the road for the Scholar Roundball Classic at Babson College over the weekend of December 13 and 14.

Marianapolis got a monster performance from Tom Horvat, who tallied 33 points in the Golden Knights opening game 63-57 victory over Coastal Academy.  The Knights led by five, 29-24 at halftime and maintained the advantage throughout the second half.  Dominique Senat with 10 points was also in double figures for Marianapolis.

Cushing Academy visited Thompson and dashed any hopes Marianapolis had of winning its second game as the visitors squeaked out an overtime 84-82 win over the hosts.  Adrien LaFleur with 26 points led a quartet of Golden Knight double figure scorers.  Senat had 10, Ryan Bernstein 21, and Horvat 14 in a gutsy effort for coach Andrew Vitale’s 1-1 Knights.

The Marianapolis V2 team opened its season with a 56-40 victory over the Williams School of New London.