By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to former Putnam Clipper great Bob Gosselin.  A 1958 graduate of Putnam High School, Gosselin excelled in football, basketball and baseball.  Today Gosselin splits his time between his home in Pomfret and his winter residence in Punta Gorda, Fla.  In his spare time he can be found on the golf course.

As a youngster growing up in Killingly Gina Derosier was a familiar sight around the Killingly High School gymnasium during basketball season.  Her dad Scott Derosier was the head coach of the Redmen hoop team, so Gina along with her brother Tommie naturally became “gym rats.”

In a recent announcement from Killingly High School athletic director Gene Blain and Principal Elise Guari, Derosier was named coach of the Killingly women’s basketball program.  Although the school is different than when she was a youngster, Derosier is returning to a gym environment she frequented as a kid.  She replaces Mark Lowell, who coached the Redgals for the past five seasons.  Lowell left the teaching profession to pursue other professional interests.

Derosier, who works in the Putnam High School Administrative office, brings solid credentials to the position.  From her early days of hanging around with her dad in the Killingly gym she made her mark when she entered high school.  

During her four years of high school basketball under coach Paul Coutu, Derosier was recognized as one of the best female players in Eastern Connecticut.  The 2002 Killingly grad was not only a very good three-point shooter but was also the sparkplug of the team, giving her all on offense and defense.

Following her high school graduation Derosier moved on to New London and Mitchell College where she forged a career as the leader of the Mitchell program that was transitioning from a two-year to a four-year program under coach Glenn Senecal.  At Mitchell Derosier displayed the same intensity and tenacity that she did at Killingly.

Since graduating from college Derosier, who always dreamed of coaching on the high school level, bounced around a variety of coaching positions.  She had a brief tenure as Killingly’s junior varsity girls’ coach under Rich Lebel and most recently served as the freshman girls’ coach at Woodstock Academy.  She’s also dabbled in AAU basketball with the Connecticut Storm and Connecticut Breakers programs.  Derosier even took a brief stab at coaching field hockey at Windham High School.

In accepting the position at her alma mater Derosier inherits a program that finished 9-13 last season.  Despite a couple key losses the Redgals return a solid core of players headed by inside performers Ally Conde and Regan Morin.  A quartet of seniors, Morgan Harriott, Megan Dion, Morgan LeSage and Brittany Bennett, will also be back, providing Derosier some veteran experience in her initial season at the helm.

Life appears to have come full cycle for Gina Derosier.  From her days hanging around the gym at Killingly as a kid, she now back to familiar environs.  As the new leader of the Killingly Redgal hoop fortunes Derosier’s experience, spunkiness and leadership should translate well for Killingly.

WPI Honors 

Local Hoop Standout…

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which was founded in 1865 and has produced outstanding athletic teams over the years, recently held its Athletic Department banquet.  A former Woodstock Academy student and basketball standout was among the athletes who were recognized.

Ian Converse, who led the Woodstock Academy Centaurs to a CIAC Class L basketball championship as a senior, was honored as a Ray Cherenzia Award winner.  The Ray Cherenzia Award is presented annually to student athletes who exemplify the spirit of an “Unsung Hero.”

Converse, a member of the Engineers basketball team, was an integral component of the team’s success in the 2015-2016-season.  The 6-foot, 5-inch forward was a starter and top reserve last season.  He was one of the Engineers top rebounders and averaged almost 10 points per game.  In a victory over Coast Guard Academy, Converse had a 20-point and 20-rebound performance.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute captured the 2016 Worcester Cup presented by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.  The Cup is awarded to the Worcester-area college with the highest overall winning percentage during the academic year.  WPI had an outstanding .700 winning percentage last academic year.

Running Shorts…

A pair of familiar faces often seen running the streets in the Putnam area enjoyed success in a race in Worcester recently.  Scott Deslongchamps placed third in the Central Mass Striders 5K at Worcester State University.  Deslongchamps posted a time of 19:44 finishing 1:12 behind winner St. Cyr Dimanche.  Ageless running wonder Alan Rondeau crossed the finish line in sixth place with a time of 21:08.

New Coach on The Soccer Scene…

There’s a new face on the coaching staff at Woodstock Academy.  Paul Rearden, a native of Liverpool, England, was appointed as the Centaurs boys’ soccer coach.    Rearden has been in the U.S. slightly more than 10 years and resides in Woodstock.  He’s a former semi-pro soccer player in his homeland.

Rearden currently works with Liverpool (U.S.) youth soccer club in Massachusetts.  He’s hoping to build the soccer program at the Academy, which has been known over the years for its great soccer teams.  He replaces Jared Morse who resigned in April to return to the family business.  The Centaurs were 11-10 on the pitch last season.

Star on The Rise… 

Darnell Brodie is entering his senior year at Putnam Science Academy and the 6-9, 220-pound big man is beginning to attract the attention of some solid NCAA Division I schools.  The rugged performer from Orange, N.J., came to PSA last year and developed as a player as the season progressed.

Last season his play on the court and his size and rugged physique captured the attention of two Division I schools, Quinnipiac University and East Carolina University.  Playing behind the likes of two current Division I players, Mamadou Diarra and Tyere Marshall and practicing with them every day, helped Brodie to finish the season at a higher level than anticipated.

This spring Brodie joined the New England Playaz where he’s established himself as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2018.  Recently he took his first unofficial visit of the spring when he visited Temple University, just prior to attending the St. John’s Elite Camp.  A few days later Brodie was on his second unofficial visit, this time to Monmouth University in his home state of New Jersey.  A few days later Seton Hall, which is in South Orange, N.J., made an offer and then the flood gates opened with Towson State, Iona and UMass also making overtures.

Brodie’s stock is definitely on the rise as coaches are recognizing his massive size, physicality and soft hands.  All this bodes well, not only for the young man, but for Coach Tom Espinosa and the 2016-2017 PSA Mustangs. 

Return from McElroy Country…

Northeastern Connecticut residents Bill Chvirko and Charlie King were among a contingent of Southern New England golfer who was part of a seven-day excursion to Northern Ireland.  The sojourn included golf every day as well as visits to some of the Ireland’s finest eating and drinking establishments.

Also on the trip was Judge Tim Bibeau of the Dudley court and Brandon Parker the men’s and women’s golf coach at Assumption College.  Judge Bibeau is the son of legendary Worcester basketball coach, the late Charlie Bibeau.  The judge currently serves as the golf coach at Holy Cross College in his spare time.  Previously he was the head golf coach at Assumption College.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” Peace Pilgrim

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