High schools 

in full swing

as preps return 

from layoff

By Ron P. Coderre

In an action packed week all six local high schools saw action as they enter the 2016 portion of the basketball season.  The four prep schools resumed action as students returned to classes and the hardwood following a nearly three week layoff.

In a 50-50 week, four high schools, Woodstock Academy, Plainfield, Putnam and Killingly posted1-1 records.  Tourtellotte, which is 3-3 on the season and 0-2 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference and winless Ellis Tech, lost both games they played.

Hyde-Woodstock, Pomfret School, Marianapolis and Putnam Science Academy all resumed play by getting into the Win column.

Woodstock Beats Killingly in Local 

Matchup of Interest

The showcase high school game of the week featured Killingly and Woodstock Academy in a matchup that’s becoming a rivalry for both schools.  The Centaurs prevailed in a game that was played in front of a packed house at Alumni Fieldhouse belonged to Woodstock 50-46.

Utilizing an aggressive 2-2-1 press to maximum effectiveness, Woodstock took a 26-15 lead to the locker room at intermission.  Killingly making adjustment at halftime rallied in the second half only to fall short by four points.

The Acads were led by Bryce Jarrett and Jared Bouten, who each tossed in 13 points.  Jarrett also had eight rebounds.  Jacob Delashmutt also chipped in 10 points for the winners.  Killingly was paced by its only player in double digits, Brendan Turner who was game-high scorer with 15 points.

In its only other game of the week Woodstock fell hard to Ledyard 77-49.  Sam Majek had 12 points and Garrett 11 for the 2-2 Centaurs.  Killingly, which is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division, beat Montville 54-52 in its only other contest.  The Redmen were led by freshman Luke Desaulnier and Turner, each with nine points.

Putnam opened the week with a 61-56 victory over visiting Whitney Tech as Brevon Harmon had a breakout game with a 25-point performance to pace coach Shawn Deary’s 3-2 Clippers.  Sophomore Dan Porcic was also in double figures with 10 points.  In a Constitution State Conference East Division game, the Clippers lost on the road to Parish Hill 69-60.  Putnam placed three players in double figures, led by Porcic with 22.  Harmon added 10 and Zach Cutler had 11 for the 1-1 CSC East Clippers.

Plainfield split a pair of games beating Stonington 66-59 and losing to Bacon Academy 68-56.  Three players hit double figure in the Stonington contest led by Liam Jacobs with 23 and David Carpenter with 16.  Jeff Nicolosi chipped in 11 for the 3-4 and 1-1 in the ECC Medium Division Panthers.  In the loss to Bacon, Carpenter had another 16-point performance for Plainfield.

Tourtellotte lost to Wheeler 52-41 and Windham 72-43, falling to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the ECC Small Division.  Kyle Brule and Evan Ware posted double-digit points in both losses.  Ellis Tech, like Tourtellotte went 0-2 for the week, losing 46-40 to Achievement First and 63-41 to Windham Tech.  The Golden Eagles received stellar performances from Trent Raymond who posted 25 and 15 points in the losses.  The Techsters remain in search of their first victory at 0-7 and 0-2 in the CSC East.

Putnam Science Academy Continues Winning Ways

Putnam Science Academy resumed play in 2016 by beating Williston Academy 55-48 in a low scoring contest.  Saul Phiri with 13 points was the only Scientist in double figures.  PSA continued its winning ways in the Hoop Dreams Magazine Classic in Boston with a 72-53 win over Jean De Brebeuf of Canada.  Mamadou Diarra broke out with a 23-point, 12 rebound performance to pace the win.  He was joined in double figures by Hamidou Diallo who added 14 points.  The Mustangs are 13-1 on the season.

Marianapolis at 3-8 picked up a rewarding win over Westminster 58-47.  Joel Del Ricci led seven scorers who made the scoring column with 22 points.  

Pomfret School rode the hot shooting of Christian Wilson, who had 19 points, to a 58-55 win over Deerfield Academy.  The Golden Griffins fell 59-47 to Governor’s Academy in their other contest.  Vincent Conn (15) and John Long (11) were in double figures for 5-2 Pomfret.  

Hyde School Woodstock had a big offensive game, beating Providence Country Day 83-76 on the road.  Eamonn Joyce was immense for the Wolfpack, pouring in 37 points.  Chris Carroll contributed 14 points and Rodney Ray had nine points, 11 boards and seven assists.  The 4-5 Wolfpack lost its only other game, a 56-51 decision to St. Thomas More.  Joyce (12 points -11 rebounds) and Ray (11-14) each posted a double-double in the loss for the 4-5 Wolfpack.