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Two weeks after trading blowout wins with each other, Putnam Science Academy’s boys’ prep basketball team and South Kent went at it again this past weekend. And while the scores were much closer this time around, the results were the same – one win for each side.
PSA won by five points, 87-82, on March 20 behind another big game from Darryl Simmons. The young point guard had 23 points, four assists, and four steals for the Mustangs, who won by 18 the first time the teams played in Putnam. Nana Owusu-Anane scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half and C.J. Anthony did a little bit of everything finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two charges drawn.
Alexis Reyes added 14 points and Bryce Harris 12 for the Mustangs.
South Kent responded the next night however, winning 70-67 at the buzzer. PSA tied the game with 2.5 seconds to play, but the Cardinals inbounded, split two defenders and got off a good look on the right wing from 3 to win it as the game ended.
Harris scored 14 points, and Leon Williams had 12 but no one else scored in double figures for PSA (16-2).
The girls’ Prep Black team ended its season March 15 with its lone loss, 62-49 to Westtown, Penn. Yamani McCollough had 18 points, and Ciara Bailey had nine points and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for PSA. Sade Young added seven points and five rebounds, while Sarah Streete had five points, five boards, and a pair of steals for the Mustangs (7-1).
The girls’ Prep Red played in the CC Storm Hardwood Battle in Pennsylvania March 21 and 22, advancing to the finals there, before losing by a point, 39-38, to East Coast Prep. Alina Abdulina had 21 points and six rebounds but it wasn’t enough. Tamara Ciric added six points, and Melissa Mwanza five points and eight rebounds in the loss.
Earlier in the day, PSA won its semifinal game, 51-25, behind 10 points and seven rebounds from Mwanza. Abdulina had nine points, four assists, and three steals, and Zanashia Croft finished with seven points, four boards, four assists, and four steals for the Mustangs.
The boys’ Elite team got 28 points from Jaden Brewington and 26 from Sean McCarthy on March 17, but nevertheless lost 105-100 in overtime to Notre Dame-West Haven. Theo Benoit added 17 for the Mustangs (6-5).
And the boys’ Varsity ended the home portion of its schedule with a win, knocking off St. Thomas More 61-45 March 18.
Jose Guerrero played a solid all-around game, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block to lead PSA. Jorge Trueba-Hernandez added 18 points and four boards, while Erwan Menguy had 11 points and five rebounds for the Mustangs (9-4).
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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