Boys’ Basketball Wrap-up

Preps enjoy 

success while

high school

flounders

By Ron P. Coderre

Boys’ high school basketball tipped off the 2014-2015 season in gloomy fashion as most local schools that hit the hardwood were unable to hit the win column.  Five high schools, Woodstock Academy, Killingly, Tourtellotte, Putnam and Plainfield combined for a first week record of 0-7.  Surprisingly the only high school to post a victory was Ellis Tech, which took the measure of Tourtellotte.

The preps schools, rushing toward the holiday break, were busy with Pomfret, Hyde-Woodstock and Putnam Science Academy posting a combined 6-3 log.  The PSA Mustangs continued their spectacular play, closing out the first half of their schedule with three victories.  The Scientists of coach Tom Espinosa go home for holiday break at 12-1 and ranked 5th in the nation.

Pomfret School picked up a pair of wins, while Hyde-School struggled at 1-3 for the week falling to 2-5 on the season.

Mustangs Running Wild

Putnam Science Academy concluded a three-game week with an impressive victory over a good Wilbraham & Monson Academy 77-68 in the St. Andrew’s Classic.  The victory was a complete team effort, as six players hit the scoring column with four in double figures.  Leading 40-37 at intermission the Mustangs put together a solid second half behind the play of point guard Kealen Ives who had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds to lead the way.  He was joined in double figures by Hamidou Diallo with 19 points.  Also in double digits and turning in impressive floor games were Mamadou Diarra with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots and Josh Wallace with 11 points and five caroms.  The Robinson twins Andrew (7 points) and Aaron (6) rounded out the scoring.

Coach Espinosa’s charges started the week with a 64-45 win over Spire Institute of Ohio.  Diallo with 19 markers and Andrew Robinson with 18 were the team’s top point producers.  The victory was followed by a 64-54 win over Thetford Academy of Canada at the Western New England Basketball Hoopfest.  Wallace came off the bench and sparked the offense with 15 points.  Ives was also in double figures with a dozen points.

Pomfret School entertained its neighbor Hyde-Woodstock in a contest of two Rte. 169 schools.  The Griffins came away with a 66-58 win behind 24 Cam Winston points and 18 from Gerald Blount.  The Griffs traveled to West Hartford for the Paul Francis Kingswood-Oxford Tournament and turned away Rye Country Day 69-59 despite trailing by one point at intermission.  Winston was immense in victory with 32 points for the 3-2 Griffs.  

The Hyde-Woodstock Wolfpack then lost two consecutive games 71-61 to Salisbury School and 72-63 to Williston-North Hampton.  Damon Gomes posted 20 and 15-point performances in the losses.  The Wolfpack salvaged 7th place in the Bob Southall Classic with a 70-66 victory over Berkshire Academy.  Dexter Thompson with 24 points and Gomes with 17 were the high scorers for 2-5 Hyde-Woodstock.   

Ellis Tech Surprises Tourtellotte

Ellis Tech, which went 0-20 last season, opened the 2014-2015 season with a convincing 62-51 win over Tourtellotte.  The Techsters jumped out to 14-8 first period advantage and never looked back much to the delight of their faithful.  Marcus Lewis captured game-high honors with 19 points, followed by Pat Garrett (13) and Jay Hassett (10).  Tourtellotte then squared off against Lyman and could only muster 31 points as it fell 61-31 on the road to the Bulldogs.

Putnam opened its season looking like world beaters as the Clippers raced to an early 16-2 lead over visiting Wheeler and led 33-29 at halftime.  At the 5:37 mark of the third stanza, Wheeler took its first lead of the game 36-35 and raced to a 68-60 win over the befuddled Clippers.  Shawn Audette had 16 points to lead Putnam.

Woodstock Academy opened its season with a pair of heavyweight bouts and was staggered, losing to Norwich Free Academy 51-49 and to Springfield Cathedral 58-34 in the Basketball Tipoff at Western New England University.  

Plainfield opened at home to Waterford and fell 71-58 after trailing by one, 31-30 at halftime.  Steve Jankowski with 18 points was the Panthers leading scorer.  Killingly made the trek south to New London and was pounded by the Whalers 102-45.