Boys’ Wrapup

Mustangs keep

torrid pace with

big offensive 

showing

By Ron P. Coderre

While boys’ high school basketball teams anxiously await the start of the regular season, local preps hit the hardwood in full swing this week.

Putnam Science Academy continued its torrid play with a big offensive showing in a home game victory against Coastal Academy Blue and a victory on the road.  The Marianapolis V1 and V2 programs each picked up victories this week, while Hyde-Woodstock dropped a pair and Pomfret School was also a loser.

Wallace Leads Offensive Explosion

Josh Wallace waited patiently for the call from coach Tom Espinosa to enter the game in the Mustangs contest against visiting Coastal Academy Blue from Belmar, N.J. As soon as Espinosa signaled the rugged combo player on to the floor, Wallace exploded in leading PSA to a hard fought 103-91 victory.

Wallace, who came in averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 assists as a catalyst off the bench, proved that he doesn’t need very long to warm up.  He poured in 28 points, including four from beyond the three-point arc while also grabbing seven rebounds, in leading all scorers.

The Mustangs didn’t only rely on Wallace for the win as he received strong support from Andrew Robinson, who had 23 markers as he drained seven three pointers.  Point guard Kealen Ives had an impressive floor game with 20 points, many at timely moments early in the game, also dishing out 10 assists and corralling five boards.  High-flying Hamidou Diallo, who’s averaging 21.4 points per contest, was also in double figures with 16 points, many of the spectacular variety.

The Scientists traveled to Babson College for the Scholar Roundball Classic and beat Brimmer & May 59-45 behind a quartet of double figure scorers.  Leading the way was Aaron Robinson with 14 points including four three-pointers.  Andrew Robinson, the other half of the twin brother act, had 11 points, Vincent “The Big Easy” Eze posted a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds and Hamidou Diallo had 13 markers.

The wins raised the Mustangs record to 9-1 as they close out the pre-holiday portion of the schedule.  Up next is Basketball Hoopfest at Western New England College against Thetford Academy of Canada on Thursday and the St. Andrew’s Classic versus Wilbraham & Monson Academy on Saturday, Dec. 20.

The Marianapolis V1 program with a 1-3 record, posted a 54-34 victory over Thayer Academy, before falling in double overtime to Proctor Academy 85-84 in the Blackburn Invitational Tournament at Worcester Academy despite a Herculean effort by Adrian LaFleur.  He had 24 points including a three-pointer at the end of regulation, signaling the first overtime.  Ryan Bernstein also had 24 points for the Golden Knights who lost on a buzzer-beater by Proctor.  Tom Horvat added 22 points in the loss.   

The Marianapolis V2 squad also fell to 1-3 while splitting a pair of games.  The Little Golden Knights lost to Thayer Academy 35-27 but picked up a 52-36 victory over Master’s.  In the win Marianapolis was paced by Andrew Ford and Ryan Hourihan who tallied 13 apiece, while Colin Hourihan added 10 points.  The highlight of the contest was the strong defensive effort by the Knights in holding Master’s to a mere nine points following intermission.

Hyde-Woodstock fell to 1-2 on the year after dropping two games last week.  The Wolfpack was beaten by Redemption Christian of Massachusetts 78-55 in a game played at home.  The Wolfpack had three players in double figures with Dexter Thompson leading the scoring parade with 23 points.  Other double digit scorers were Damon Gomes with 15 points and Khalil Johnson who had 11.

In a loss to National power St. Thomas More in Montville, Hyde once again had three players in double figure but fell 65-51.  Thompson and Damon Joyce Jr. had 15 points apiece while Gomes was high scorer with 17 points.

Pomfret School dropped to 0-2 when it lost to Taft School 62-47.

 

..