Boys’ Wrap Up

Academy takes

hockey 

crown

By Ryan Rumrill,

Town Crier Sportswriter

March 9 Nathan DeLuca scored three goals to lead the Woodstock Centaurs to their first Nutmeg Conference Tournament championship. They beat Suffield-Granby East Windsor by a 6 to 5 score. Ryan Black and Gunner Moore each scored a goal and an assist for Woodstock. Goalie Cal Wilcox made 18 saves and the Centaurs went on to win their first conference title.  On March 4, on their way to the crown, Woodstock dispatched Trinity Catholic by an 11 to 1 score.  Ryan Black scored five goals enroute. The Academy converted all six goals during power play opportunities and advance to their second straight D. 3 semifinals game. Avery Riva also netted three goals for Woodstock, while Doug Newton, Nathan DeLuca, and Ethan Thorpe all scored a goal for Woodstock. Heading to the states, the Academy’s record was 20-2-1. 

 

Basketball

March 12

(2) Plainfield 46

(10 ) Tolland 55

Second-seed Plainfield Panthers’ State Tournament run ended after coming up short to Tolland. Tolland, 10th seed, got the upset win over the Panthers, 55 to 46. Tolland was led by Andrew Jaworski who finished with a game-high 33 points while Jason Clough scored 14 points. Plainfield was led by Eli Malboeuf who had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Peasley scored 11 points and dished out four assists and grabbed six rebounds. Plainfield was in the game the whole game until late where shots weren’t falling and then Tolland brought home the victory on Plainfield’s court. 

 

March 10/11

2 Hillhouse 73

7 NFA 54

Norwich Free Academy had its great season comes to an end as they fall short to Class LL Hillhouse. NFA was led by Seth Thomas who scored a game-high 24 points while Jalen Graham scored 10 points, Aiden Miller had eight points, Tyler Sebastian had seven, and Luis Rivera scored five. Hillhouse was led by Joey Kasperzyk Jr. with 16 points, Christian Adams with 13 points, and Mekhi Warren with 11 points. 

 

March 8

Putnam Science Academy 73

Brewster Academy 76

The Putnam Science Mustangs squared off against the #1-ranked undefeated Brewster Wolfpack in the semifinals of the National Prep Invite Tournament and was an intense game as the Mustangs brought a lot of energy to New Haven, where the tournament was held at Albertus Magnus. The Mustangs led by 4 at the half with a score of 44-40. Eric Ayala led the way for PSA with 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. Issac Kante finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Jaheam Cornwall recorded 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Alexis Yetna scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Lapri McCray Pace brought the energy off the bench scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds, as the Mustangs fall by three to the best team in the NEPSAC. 

 

March 7

Putnam Science Academy 74

Cushing Academy 61

PSA faced off against Cushing Academy in the quarterfinals of the National Prep Invite Tourney, a team that handily beat earlier in the season. Putnam got the revenge as they outscored Cushing by 13 down the stretch. Eric Ayala led Putnam with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists to rally the Mustangs back from down six at halftime. Malik Ondigo finished the game with 13 points and seven rebounds, Jaheam Cornwall had 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Lapri Pace had 10 points and nine rebounds, and Alexis Yetna also scored 10 points, six rebounds, and two key blocks. The Mustangs take on Brewster in the semifinals. Virginia Tech-commit Wabissa Bede led Cushing, with 18 points.

(26) Putnam 64

(7) Classical Magnet 100 

The Clippers faced a powerful Classical Magnet who rotated 13 players in & out of the game and came up on the losing end against Classical. Zack Cutler led the way for Clippers hitting all of his shots from behind the three-point arc, going 6-6 finishing with 24 points, while Lucas Bastilio scored 20 points and two of which came on a dunk on two defenders. The Clippers ended the season with an 11-12 record. 

 

March 6

4 Holy Cross 59

(29) Killingly 

Killingly Redman matched up against fourth-ranked Holy Cross High School and Killingly was paced by Luke Desaulnier who put up 20 points, while Gavin Turner had seven points and four rebounds and  Jared Gosper added six points and six assists. 

 

.