The PJN Classic, a preseason jamboree of basketball games featuring high school, prep school and community college talent, made its debut at The Woodstock Academy Oct. 21.

“It’s a chance to get all of my guys together and having a series of scrimmages and having a good time with it,” said Centaurs prep coach Tony Bergeron.

The PJN Classic, begun by Bergeron at Commonwealth Academy, is in its fifth season and is held in honor of the memory of Bergeron’s father, Peter J. Nascembeni.

“We have four days here (this year), Last year, it was about nine days. I think we will end up building it higher and higher as we go,” Bergeron said.

The Woodstock Academy Gold Prep team – although it was attired in blue for the event – began the festivities with an 81-51 win over Mass Bay Community College from Wellesley Hills, Mass.

“It was a great change. We got to play against some new faces with our brothers and we were like a family. I thought it was great,” said Chris Childs who hails from New York City.

While Childs thought it was great, Bergeron had another adjective in his mind.

“We were just absolutely atrocious. We have a long way to go. That’s why you have scrimmages so you know what you have to work on,” Bergeron said.

The Centaurs opened the game by scoring 32 of the first 37 points.

But Bergeron wanted to see what his charges could do if they didn’t press and when he took the press off, Mass Bay scored 27 of the next 31 points.

 “We stopped executing in the halfcourt,” Bergeron said. “If we left the press on, we would have been fine. But at the end of the day, we have to learn how to play basketball, because in our league, people will be able to get us into a halfcourt game.”

While Bergeron wasn’t happy with the results of the scrimmage, overall, things have gone well.

“It’s been a terrific preseason. I absolutely love my group of kids. They want to get better. They want to work so we’re excited,” Bergeron said.

The Centaurs Blue Prep team made a similarly successful debut. The Gold squad downed Sacred Heart High School of Waterbury, one of the traditionally better programs in the state, 71-34.

“We came out a little flatter than I wanted, but we ended up getting steals, got into transition and made shots. Our energy after the first few minutes picked up,” said Blue team coach Nick DeFeo.

DeFeo was happy with a number of his player’s efforts including 6-foot, 10-inch Skylar Kooyenga from Chicago.

“There is always room for improvement,” Kooyenda said. “We missed some shots, some missed box outs, but I think (the win) shows how much potential the team has as a whole.”

The tournament is also being used by the coaching staff to make the final determinations as to which team each player will be assigned.

“We’re still figuring out some stuff through next weekend and after next weekend, we will be solidified: One Gold team, one blue team, nobody moves,” DeFeo said.

The tournament continues Oct. 28 and 29 at the Alumni Fieldhouse.

PJN Classic Schedule, Oct. 28: 10 a.m.: Redemption Christian Academy vs. The Woodstock Academy Blue; 11:30 a.m.: Masters School vs. Community College of Rhode Island; 1 p.m.:  Redemption Christian Academy vs.  Hillhouse HS; 2:30- WA Gold vs. Community College of Rhode Island

 Oct. 29: 11:30 a.m.: Bunker Hill Community College vs.  The Woodstock Academy Blue; 1:00 p.m. : Monroe Community College JV vs Commonwealth Regional; 2:30 p.m.; Bunker Hill CC v Commonwealth National; 4:00 p.m. : Monroe Community College JV vs. The Woodstock Academy Gold.

Marc Allard

Sports Information Director

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