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Poor shooting
mars record
A 2-1 week isn’t usually a bad thing for most teams. But Putnam Science Academy’s boys’ prep team doesn’t want to be “most teams.”
So after winning its first two games of the week - 83-76 over Bridgeport Prep on Jan. 28 and 73-62 over Mt. Zion Academy on Jan. 30, a 68-62 loss to Compass Prep of Arizona on Feb. 1 put a damper on the week.
“We didn’t shoot it well,” said PSA coach Tom Espinosa. “You always think we’ll have a run in us, but we didn’t get it.”
The Mustangs made just 22-of-57 shots (38.5 percent) in suffering their second loss of the season. Hassan Diarra had 18 points but was the only PSA player to score in double figures.
It was a much different story earlier in the week, particularly against Mt. Zion.
Marty Silvera filled out the stat sheet in that one, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals, while Diarra went for a team-high 29 points. Melvyn Ebonkoli (13 points, seven rebounds), Josh Gray (nine points, 10 rebounds, three steals), and Vlad Goldin (four points, seven rebounds, six blocks) all had big games for the Mustangs.
Goldin, Diarra, and Silvera led the way against Bridgeport Prep as well. Goldin, the big 7-footer from Russia, had 16 points and 15 rebounds; Diarra added 16 points and six rebounds; and Silvera had another solid all-around game, ending with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Girls’ Prep
The girls’ prep team dropped its lone game of the week, 48-45 on the road to St. Andrews on Jan. 29. PSA dropped a five-point loss to the same team earlier this season.
Delaney Haines, who last week committed to play next year at New York Institute of Technology, led the Mustangs with 10 points. Sabou Gueye and Lani Cornfield scored nine apiece in the loss.
Girls’ Varsity
The girls’ varsity team fared better, winning its two games by an average of 67 points.
Zanashia Croft led six players in double figures with 21 points, and PSA rolled to an easy 104-23 win over St. Andrews on Jan. 29.
Bri Mead had 20, May Santiago 19, and Aden Edebali 16 for the Mustangs. Elisha Clinkscale added 11 points and Liza Rogova finished with 11 in the win.
The Mustangs also beat SUNY Sullivan Cc 89-36 on Jan. 31 behind 25 points from Croft and 24 more from Santiago.
Sofia Marcos finished with 15 for the Mustangs.
Boys’ Varsity
After a busy week of games two weeks ago, the boys’ varsity team played just once last week, and got a win.
Abdul Seck scored 24 points, and Jaden Brewington and Darryl Simmons had 20 points each, leading PSA to a 90-76 victory over Pioneer Academy on Feb. 1. Luc Brittian added 14 for the Mustangs (12-9).
Boys’ Varsity 2
The boys varsity 2 team split its two games, first falling 62-50 to a Bartlett team that was unconscious shooting the ball. Javier Cobo’s 21 points weren’t enough for the Mustangs, but was the only PSA player to score in double figures in the loss. Michael Phav finished with seven points in that one for the Mustangs, who bounced back with a 71-50 win over Plainfield to improve to 10-5
Khalil Gooden scored 18 points off the bench, and Alonzo Henries added 17 points, and Cobo finished with 12 for the Mustangs.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy