By Ron P. Coderre

The 2016-2017 boys’ and girls’ basketball season tipped off with a full slate of games involving all four local prep schools.  High school girls’ hoop season is scheduled to open this week followed by boys’ action the next week.

Putnam Science Academy in its quest for a National Prep School title hit some bumps in the road following early season success.  After opening the season with a string of victories the Mustangs split two games at the Shirts vs. Skins Classic in Baltimore, Md.  Ranked #2 in the country earlier in the season, the losses most likely will plummet the team’s ranking in the next poll.

The Mustangs varsity program meanwhile is off to an unblemished start with an early season    5-0 record.  Hyde School-Woodstock in its final season on the Woodstock campus got its season off on the right foot with a win over St. Andrew’s.  In Thompson, Marianapolis, which experienced a down season last year, lost its initial contest of the new season to Thayer Academy.

On the distaff side of the ledger the Hyde School-Woodstock ladies split their first two games of the season.  Marianapolis ladies picked up a win its first game.

The whistle has blown indicating the season is underway.  Local fans can now prepare to enjoy some action filled games as they have nine schools providing the excitement.

Mustang Sputtering as They Embark 

on Rugged Schedule

Whether it’s the pressure of seeking a National Prep School championship, the lack of chemistry or an attitude adjustment, in untypical fashion, the Mustangs of coach Tom Espinosa are off to a rocky start to the season.  After going 4-0 in the early action, PSA suffered an unusual loss on its home court, where it was beaten by visiting Commonwealth Academy of Springfield 107-96.

Playing in front of UConn coach Kevin Ollie and Hartford Courant columnist Jeff Jacobs, the Mustangs blew numerous opportunities as Commonwealth battled its way to the final buzzer victory.  Putnam Science led at intermission 61-56 as Eric Ayala, who finished with 21 points posted 17 markers in the first 20 minutes.

The Mustangs went on a 25-15 run to start the second half only to watch the visitors outscore the hosts 29-17 in the next 11 minutes to knot the contest at 90-90 with 4:48 remaining.  At that crucial juncture the Mustangs folded, getting outscored 17-6.

In addition to Ayala’s 21 points, Alexis Yetna, the 6-foot, 8-inch big man from Paris, France, posted a double-double, dropping in 17 points and corralling 15 rebounds.  Point guard Jaheam Cornwall had a terrific floor game with 14 points, six assists and three steals.  Preseason All-Prep player Hamidou Diallo was mysteriously absent in the contest.  Relegated to the bench at the start of the contest, Diallo played a total of about two minutes in the game and scored only two points.

The Mustangs rebounded with an 83-67 win over Mount Zion in Baltimore at the Shirts vs. Skins Tournament.  PSA led throughout as four players paced the win with double digit performances.  Ayala was the high scorer with 18 points, followed by Isaac Kante (17), Cornwall (15) and Yetna (10).

After taking a 44-33 lead at halftime, the Mustangs were once again bitten by the second half virus as they lost to Coastal Academy by a single point 76-75.  The high-powered offense could only produce 31 points in the final 20 minutes of action.  Again it was Ayala who led the way with 20 points.  Diallo, who posted a double-double, had 13 points and 11 caroms, while the steady Cornwall contributed 10 points.

The Mustangs closed out a busy weekend by beating Phelps School 70-50 as the team made a stop in Pottstown, Penn., on its way home from Baltimore.  A total of 11 players got into the scorebook led by Ayala with 13 points and Diallo with 11.  The Mustangs are 6-2 as they work their way through their rugged schedule. 

The Putnam Science Academy varsity program opened its season with wins over Community College of Rhode Island, Nichols College JV and Spire Academy.  The Mustangs continued their torrid pace, picking up wins over City Reach United of New Hampshire and Pomfret School.

In the 99-84 home win over City Reach, former Plainfield High School standout Liam Jacobs had a perfect evening in leading the team to victory.  Jacobs had a game-high 21 points on a 9-for-9 performance from the floor.  Isaiah Laurent chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds and Worcester’s Adham Floyd added 15 markers in the win.

Laurent, with 15 points, combined with Floyd and Amir Paul, who each had 14 in pacing PSA to a 75-42 over Pomfret School on the Griffins campus.  The win raised the Mustangs record to 5-0.  Pomfret lost it following game to Tabor Academy 67-45.  Christian Wilson had 18 points in the loss.

Hyde School-Woodstock opened its season with a 70-53 victory over St. Andrew’s.  Down 32-29 at intermission the Wolfpack rallied behind the trio of Khalil Johnson (13), and Aaron Petion and Michael St. Laurent, who each had a dozen.

Marianapolis traveled to Massachusetts where it lost its season opener 69-62 to Thayer Academy despite a 29-point performance by Tyler Burton.  Joe Del Ricci was also in double digits for the Golden Knights with 18 points.  The Golden Knights fell to 0-2 as they were beaten by Totonto Basketball 73-68 in a game played in Barrington, R.I.  The Knights of coach Andrew Vitale had three players in double figures, Del Ricci (15), Burton (17) and Marley Blommers (12).

Marianapolis and Hyde Post Wins in Girls’ Action

Former St. James of Danielson standout Olivia Summiel led Marianapolis with nine points and nine rebounds to a narrow 37-35 win over Thayer Academy.  Sophia Widmeyer also enjoyed a great game, contributing eight points and eight caroms for the 1-0 Lady Knights.

Hyde School-Woodstock opened its season with a 29-15 victory over Kents Hill in the Aleigh Mills Tournament in Maine.  Dairy Rojas led the way for the Lady Wolfpack with 16 points.  Hyde fell in the championship contest 62-26 to Hebron Academy as Rojas was once again the team high scorer with 14 points.  Hyde is 1-1 in the early going.

 

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