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Honored

Hamidou Diallo, left, with PSA coach Tom Espinosa. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to former Putnam Clipper and current Thompson resident John Lachance.  In his day Lachance was quite an athlete.  Today he enjoys his spare time on the golf links when he’s not in the air in his plane.  Lachance celebrated another birthday on March 3.

One of Eastern Connecticut and Southern New England’s most noted foot ball officials was recently informed of his selection into the Connecticut Football Officials Association Hall of Fame.  Gordie Mauer, a longtime member and former president of the Eastern Board of Approved Football Officials, was notified of his selection by Ed Mockus, chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee.  

Mauer will be inducted with the Class of 2016 on March 20 in a ceremony at Country House Restaurant in East Haven.  This is the fifth year that the CFOA has been conducting this program.

According to the release from the CFOA, selection is a unique recognition that acknowledges Mauer’s lifetime dedication, leadership and commitment to tackle football officiating.  The event involves a program beginning with an informal Welcome Reception for all inductees followed by a luncheon and the official enshrinement ceremonies.  All inductees will be presented a handsome Hall of Fame plaque.

Mauer, who has been involved in a variety of community activities in Putnam and surrounding towns, played college football at William Penn University in Iowa.  During his refereeing career he’s worked games at every level from youth leagues to the college level.  As a high school official he’s had the honor and privilege of working numerous State Championship contests.  Most recently he’s also been officiating key games, including State finals, in Rhode Island.

In addition to his illustrious officiating career Mauer was a key organizer of the WPTP football program, a supporter of the Putnam Little League and Assumption College football where his son Eric played.  In the offseason Mauer also officiates softball and volleyball.

He and his wife Jeannine reside in Putnam.  They are the owners and operators of Windham Container Corporation, a company founded more than 50 years ago by his late father Glenn Mauer.

1000-Point Club…

Scoring 1000 points in high school or prep school is a level of play that only a select few athletes achieve.  In recent weeks three local players have entered that select club.

The first local individual to reach 1000 points was Killingly High School senior Meagan Bianchi.  Achieving this goal is an accomplishment for Bianchi considering that during her first three years as a Redgal the team won very few games.  This season Bianchi has led the team to the play-in round of the Eastern Connecticut Conference Tournament and the CIAC postseason.

Eamonn Joyce, who plays for Hyde School-Woodstock, has been one of the Wolfpack’s steadiest performers since arriving on the Rt. 169 campus.  Joyce, Hyde’s “blond bomber” scales in at 6-feet, 4-inches and is a versatile performer.  He’s a very good ball handler who can score off the pass, from outside or driving to the hoop.  He registered his 1000th point in a victory over The Dexter School.

Hamidou Diallo of Putnam Science Academy is the third local player to break the magical barrier.  In scoring his 1000th point Diallo also became the highest scorer in the history of the school’s basketball program, surpassing former record holder Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, currently a member of the University of Dayton Flyers.  Diallo has another year with the Mustangs before moving on to college.  When he graduates he’ll leave the Maple Street campus as not only the leading scorer but his numbers could be in the stratosphere.  

RPC extends a Tip of the Sports Fedora to Bianchi, Joyce and Diallo.

Spotted In The Crowd…   

Assumption College basketball has been drawing fans from northeastern Connecticut to its games lately.  The Assumption College and St. Michael’s College contest drew a large contingent of Danielson area residents who came out to see Megan Gaudreau the captain of the St. Michal’s Purple Knights.

Gaudreau entered the game averaging nine points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.  She posted five points and six rebounds in the loss to Assumption.  The former Pomfret School standout is preparing for graduation and will be spending some time in Africa during the summer with a group putting on basketball clinics.  She’s the daughter of Michael and Sharon Gaudreau of Brooklyn.

Also at the St. Mike’s game was Putnam resident Steve Martel who’s become a Greyhound fan thanks to the basketball team’s efforts on behalf of childhood autism.

In the crowd for the game against Merrimack College was former St. Joseph’s High School of N. Grosvenordale hoop standout Tom McDermott.  Currently retired from a career in educational counseling, McDermott resides in Lunenburg, Mass.

Keeping Up with the Collegians…

Quinnipiac University, which is suffering through a down season at 9-19, is preparing for its second season, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.  Entering the tourney the Bobcats of coach Tom Moore have been receiving solid play from former Putnam Science Academy big man Chaise Daniels.  He registered 10 points against St. Peter’s, 15 against Manhattan and 13 against Marist.

Another former Mustang, Paul Brooks, had a double-double in a 91-79 victory over Westfield State.  His 10 points and 10 rebounds helped the Lancers to improve 16-9 on the season and 8-4 in the MASCAC.

At Worcester Polytechnic Institute the Engineers got back on the winning track with an 88-60 win over cross town rival Clark University.  Ian Converse had five points in the win for the 20-5 and 10-4 MASCAC Worcester Poly.  Adam Converse, Ian’s younger brother, posted two points for Clark , which fell to 6-19 on the year and 3-11 in the MASCAC.  Ian and the Engineers fell in the NEWMAC Tournament semifinals to MIT by a score of 96-80.  Converse had 12 points and nine rebounds in what was probably the final game of the season for WPI.

Up in Maine it appears that former PSA Mustang Shaun Lawton is back in the good graces of coach Bobby Walsh.  In a loss to the University of Hartford Lawton played 35 minutes was 4-for-6 from the floor and the free throw stripe, posted five rebounds and two assists in scoring 13 points for the Black Bears who are 8-20.

ECC Girls All Stars… 

The Eastern Connecticut Conference recently released its girls’ basketball all stars.  As expected, Killingly High School senior Meagan Bianchi headed the list of stars in the Medium Division.  She was joined on the First Team by Julie Jordan of Plainfield.  Jordan’s teammate Madeline Lorange was accorded Honorable Mention honors.  Sportsmanship awards went to Emily Gray of Plainfield and Reagan Morin of Killingly.

In the Small Division, Tourtellotte’s Abby Poirier was a First Team selection, with the Lady Tigers Emily Vincent being named Honorable Mention.  Christina Kopacz was selected for the Sportsmanship Award.

Freshman Ari Koivisto and Jamie Woods of Woodstock were Honorable Mention selections in the Large Division, while Anna Perry won the Sportsmanship Award.

Mark The Calendar…

The annual Putnam Lions Volleyball Challenge is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20 at the Strong Field House on the campus of Pomfret School.  Once again there will be three divisions; “A” and “B” team Skills Challenge and Corporate Team Challenge.  For more information contact Mike Hanrahan at 860 933-5793 or by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Faucher at 860 617-4142 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Choose being kind over being right and you’ll be right every time.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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