Boys' Wrap-up:

PSA moving 

toward 

National 

Prep invite

By Ron P. Coderre

The weather man played havoc with the boys’ basketball schedule as Storm Barbara roared through northeastern Connecticut on Friday.  The storm caused all high schools to reschedule their games.  Putnam Science Academy was the lone team to see action over the snow-packed weekend.

The PSA Mustangs basketball team, which is gathering a large turnout for all of its games, enjoyed an exciting and spectacular weekend picking up three victories and raising its record to 24-2.  Two of the victories came at Rhode Island College at the prestigious National Prep School Invitational.

Pomfret School, which is enjoying a most successful season at 10-5, lost its only game of the week, while Hyde-Woodstock, struggling to get over .500 lost two-of-three and stands at 8-9 on the year.

Putnam High School picked up a satisfying victory over Constitution State Conference East Division opponent Parish Hill in its only game of the week.  Plainfield and Tourtellotte each posted 1-1 weeks, while Killingly, Woodstock Academy and Ellis Tech all lost their only game.

PSA Making Believers

Putnam Science Academy opened the week with a game that had spectators gasping as the Mustangs and Believe Prep of South Carolina put on an offensive fireworks explosion that rivaled the Town of Putnam’s 4th of July celebration.  The Scientists came away from the Friday evening high scoring affair with a 123-112 victory.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 57-43 halftime advantage and hung on for the 12-point margin of victory.  Seven players reached double figures in this epic scoring contest led by slashing guard Eric Ayala, who has been asserting himself lately.  He tallied 17 points.  Mamadou Diarra Hamidou Diallo each contributed 16 points, while the steady Tyere Marshall had another good game inside with 14 points.  Jaheam Cornwall (13) and Tyreek Perkins (12) rounded out the double figure scoring parade.

At Rhode Island College the Scientists held on for a 79-75 win over Hill Academy of Canada.  Diallo with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists was the catalyst in the victory.  Ayala and recent acquisition 7-foot, 1-inch Zach Brown each contributed a dozen points.  For Brown it was a double-double as he also had 10 caroms to go along with three blocked shots.  Diarra, who along with Brown controlled the inside, had 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

In what proved to be a true test of prep competition in preparation for the National Prep Championships, the Mustangs came from 15 points down with 5:03 remaining to pull out an 81-80 win over Montverde.  PSA ran off a 16 straight points, while shutting down the Montverde offense in securing the win.

Diarra posted a double-double recording 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Diallo was PSA’s high scorer with 17 points.  Saul Phiri with 10 points and Cornwall with 14 were instrumental in the victory.

Pomfret School lost its only game of the week 67-50 to Williston-Northampton despite 13 points apiece from Cam Winston and Christian Wilson.  Hyde-Woodstock emerged victorious over the Winchendon School 49-47 thanks to double digit performances from Eamonn Joyce (11) and Jordan Burney (10).  The Wolfpack was beaten 86-66 by St. Luke’s and 67-63 by Greens Farm in its other two contests.  Joyce (19) and Rodney Ray (16) were high scorers in the St. Lukes contest, while Ray had 21 in the Greens Farm game.

Storm Barbara Limits High School Action

Thanks to Storm Barbara most high schools played an abbreviated schedule last week.  

Putnam, which is struggling to get to the eight-win plateau and qualifying for the CIAC tournament, picked a much need 65-55 victory over Parish Hill.  Down by one, 26-25 at intermission, the Clippers turned on the juice and dominated the second half outscoring the Pirates 40-29 over the final 16 minutes.

The Clippers appeared to come alive when coach Shawn Deary inserted diminutive freshman Sebastian Ramos into the contest.  Ramos, who seems to have no fear and is cool under pressure, had only five points but his guard play, ball handling and defense sparked the win.  Dan Porcic led a trio of double point scorers for Putnam with 19 markers.  Zach Cutler, who turned in a good all-around performance, had 15 and Zach Evans 11 for the 7-6 and 5-2 CSC East Division Clippers.

Plainfield the first area team to qualify for the CIAC tournament raised its record 8-7 on the season with a 47-42 win over Montville.  Liam Jacobs with 17 points was the game high scorer.  The Panthers then lost to a good Bacon Academy team 76-44 as Jeff Nicolosi was the lone double figure scorer with 14 points.

Tourtellotte, with a slim chance of qualify for the post season, split two games.  The Tigers lost to Lyman 70-64 despite 17 points from Justin Tennant.  The Tigers at 6-10 and 1-5 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division rebounded with a 50-46 win over Wheeler.  Evan Ware led the way for coach Neil Bernier’s team with 14 markers.

Woodstock Academy 4-9 and 0-5 ECC Large Division lost 52-48 to East Lyme.  Nick Short paced the Centaurs with 17 and Sam Majek chipped in 11.  Killingly fell to 4-10 on the season and 1-5 in the ECC Medium Division in a 62-42 defeat at the hands of New London.  Freshman Luke Desaulnier had 10 in the losing cause.  

Ellis Tech at 0-13 and 0-7 in the CSC East Division was beaten 95-62 by Windham Tech.  The Golden Eagles were mathematically eliminated from the postseason with the loss.  Trent Raymond, as he has all season, led Ellis Tech with 18 points and Ben Cobb had 13. 

 

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