By Ron P. Coderre

In 2006 an upstart basketball program composed primarily of Turkish students who had a thirst for the game was born at Putnam Science Academy.  The guiding light behind the program was the school’s Director of Athletics and basketball coach Tom Espinosa.

The initial season produced a record of 7-6, an accomplishment considering many of the players were neophytes at the game that Dr. James Naismith invented down the road in Springfield, Mass.  Over the next few seasons the program grew, posting records of 17-5, 14-6 and 17-5.  Beginning with the 2010-2011-season moving forward, the team known as the Mustangs has registered 20 or more victories each season since.

On Sunday, February 14 the Putnam Science Academy basketball team, no longer an upstart program, presented coach Espinosa with his 200th career coaching victory.  The crowning moment came on the road in Concord, N.H., at the Frank Monahan Basketball Showcase, a 69-56 win over New Hampton Prep.  Espinosa’s 100th career win came early in the 2012-2013 season, six years into his coaching career.  In an amazing run the team has registered the next 100 victories in less than four seasons.

Since the start of the 2012-2013-season, the Mustangs have posted records of 22-8, 29-5, 27-8 and are currently 32-3 this year.  Two years ago the team was invited to the National Prep School Championships.  Last year they returned for another visit.  This year the team is hoping to make its mark at the Nationals.

The transition of the program began in 2008 when 7-foot, 1-inch Rundell Mauge appeared on the Maple Street campus beginning a long string of outstanding players to grace the band box court the team calls home.  Many of the players have moved on to the collegiate level.

A trip down memory lane brings back names such as Shaun Lawton, who is currently at the University of Maine.  The most prolific scorer in the history of the program until recently, Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, who scored 1010 points is currently the captain and starting guard for the University of Dayton Flyers.  The class of 2014 produced five Division I products, Dalique Mingo (Howard University), Chaise Daniels (Quinnipiac University), Danny Upchurch (Charleston Southern University), Jordan Butler (Norfolk State University) and Anthony Durham (Rider University).

Last season produced five more D-I players, Andrew and Aaron Robinson, who are at Quinnipiac University, Kealan Ives at Rider, Dondre Rhoden at Farleigh Dickinson University and Vincent Eze at the University of Maine.  Others have made their mark at D-II and D-III programs such as Paul Brooks at Worcester State University, Oscar Assie at American International College, and Jemal Mosely at the University of New Haven.

One of Espinosa’s current assistant coaches and former Mustang, Travis Godley played at D-III Hartwick College.  The program wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for names like, Enes Ulukaya, Halid Gul, Orhan Sultanov, Ugur Hortom, Mert Alp, Alican Gocmez and Yunus Cagirici, Turkish student-athletes who composed some of the first teams.

Other than his first priority, his family, wife Trish, and his children TJ, Bryce and Teagan, Espinosa’s desire to continue producing winners at Putnam Science Academy is his burning desire.  His current stable of players features Mamadou Diarra headed to UConn, Saul Phiri recently committed to LaSalle University, Tyere Marshall committed to Rider University and Hamidou Diallo currently being heavily recruited by National powers for the 2017 school year.

What does the future hold in store for the 38-year-old Espinosa?  Is a college coaching position in the cards?  

The 1997 Putnam High School graduate who scored 1,282 points for the Clippers is a Putnam native.  He and his family are solidly entrenched in the community, looking forward to quality time with their three children.

Currently Espinosa appears satisfied with his current situation.  The new school administration headed by Dr. Tieqiang Ding and Head of School Donald Cushing are solidly behind the program.  The quest for a National Championship is the unspoken but highly coveted goal that Espinosa and the Mustangs have their eye on.

For the time being that enticement appears to be enough to keep Espinosa in Putnam.