By Ron P. Coderre

With the passing of Veterans Day on November 11, this week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to a true American Linda Colangelo.  Recognized for her marvelous voice, Colangelo answered the call this Veterans Day by attending and performing at five or six veteran recognition events over a two-day period.  Every performance was stunning, emotional and carried out with true patriotism.  Thank you, Linda, from an appreciative veteran.

It’s appropriate that this week’s lead story should involve a veteran from Putnam.  The name Norman Sponcey may not ring a bell with most current residents of Putnam, with the exception of those who may have been in high school in the late 1940s and are fortunate to still be around and healthy today.

Sponcey, who is in his late 80s, is now a resident of Sierra Vista, Ariz.  He and his wife Gail landed in Sierra Vista upon his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps.  In late October Sponcey was honored as the recipient of 2nd Annual Congressional Veteran of Distinction Award.  The award is organized by the office of Arizona 2nd Congressional District Rep. Martha McSally.  The ceremony was held at the JROTC Building of Flowing Wells High School.

The Veteran of Distinction Award honors military veterans of Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District who continue to exemplify military principles of duty, service and commitment to a cause greater than any one individual.  Sponcey was one of 21 individuals nominated this year.  

As a member of the Thunder Mountain Detachment of the Marine Corps League, Sponcey and others in the detachment organize the annual Toys for Tots efforts throughout Cochise County.  He was nominated by fellow Marine veteran Jim Willig.

Highlights of his Marine Corps service record include fighting with Fox Company 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines as part of one of the most difficult battles of the Korean Conflict, the Battle of Chosin Resevoir.  When UN forces were surrounded and vastly outnumbered by the Chinese Army, Fox Company sustained heavy casualties while holding a vital hill overlooking the withdrawal route of Marines for several days.  During the battle Sponcey suffered a serious bayonet wound as the fighting became a man-to-man showdown.

Later in his career, Sponcey would go on to serve several tours in the Vietnam war as a senior non-commissioned officer.     

Norman Sponcey was a typical post-WWII teen from Putnam.  Like many of his era, he was the product of hard working parents, who labored in one of the many mills that thrived in Putnam at the time.  Living in the “North End” Sponcey could be found on local playgrounds each day after the final school bell rang.  Whether it was baseball, basketball or football there was always a ball in the air and kids burning energy before returning home for the evening family meal.

Like so many individuals of his time, Sponcey attended St. Mary School, which boasted upward of 800 students at the time. Upon graduation from the parochial school it was on to Putnam High School where he starred on the Clipper football team as a hard-charging, never-say-die fullback.  It was the spirit instilled by his competitive nature that led him to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sponcey’s fullback mentality proved to be a perfect fit for a career as a Marine.  Enlisting in 1947, he spent the next 25 years in the Corps, eventually retiring in 1972 at the rank of Sgt. Major.  In the years between 1947 and 1972, Sgt. Major Sponcey’s career was one of duty, valor, heroism, loyalty, dedication and patriotism.

As a native son, transplanted in Arizona, his military story and following retirement life spent in community service is one that should make the people of Putnam as proud of Sponcey as are his friends in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Accolades Accumulate…

Emily Becher, who enjoyed a stellar soccer career as a student-athlete at Woodstock Academy, is continuing to set the bar high on the college level.  Becher, a junior at Eastern Connecticut State University, was named to the All-Little East Conference team for the third consecutive year.  In the 27 years of balloting Becher along with Maggie Bodington are the first players from the Lady Warriors’ soccer program to earn the honor three times.

This season Becher was instrumental in leading ECSU to a 13-4-2 overall record and a 6-0-1 log in the LEC.  She had 12 goals this season and a total of 28 points.  Among her achievements were six game-winning goals.  In a shutout victory over UMass Dartmouth, Becher scored all three goals in the match, her first-ever hat trick.

As a sophomore Becher led the conference in goals and points.  As she enters her senior season, she is ranked third all-time at ECSU in goals with 45 and fourth all-time with 98 points.  She’s tied for second in the school’s women’s soccer history with 19 game winning goals.

Where’s Mamadou?

The UConn men’s basketball team is off to a 2016-2017 rocky start following opening losses to Mid-Majors, Wagner and Northeastern.  Needless to say Husky fans are antsy and disappointed following high expectations with the recruitment of one of the most heralded freshmen classes in the school’s basketball history.

One of the recruits, former Putnam Science Academy standout big man Mamadou Diarra has yet to see game action.  In the opening two contests, Diarra was dressed but kept out of the action as he deals with sore knees.

Following the loss to Northeastern, UConn reported that Diarra was hampered by a sore and swelling left knee.  He’s been trying to practice but he can’t jump and when he does there’s a lot of pain when he comes down.  The Husky coaching staff is being cautious with Diarra because they’re concerned with the longevity of his career.

Diarra was on the bench but didn’t see action in UConn’s victory over Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.  There’s a strong possibility that the Huskies may red shirt Diarra for this season, according to UConn beat writer Don Amore of the Hartford Courant.

Diarra was recruited by coach Kevin Ollie because of his physical nature and his rebounding ability.  Last season at Putnam Science Academy he averaged 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest in leading the Mustangs to a 27-8 record.

Look Who’s at the Black Dog…

Former Rhode Island College and Killingly High School women’s basketball standout Devin Hill is working at the Black Dog Bar& Grille in Putnam as she works on completing her bachelor’s degree.  Hill, who lost a year in high school due to knee problems, went on to a stellar career at RIC, where she played for Putnam resident and Anchorwomen’s coach Glenn Senecal.  Hill was captain of her college team during her junior and senior seasons.

From the Where 

Are They Now Files…

It’s San Diego, Calif., for former Putnam Clipper three-sport standout Sam Arcand.  The lanky Arcand was a sure-handed receiver on the football field and filled the middle on offense and defense in basketball for Putnam.  The lefthander was also the ace of the Clippers mound staff in baseball.   He then went on to Western New England College.  Arcand works in marketing in California and notes that’s he’s enjoying the near perfect San Diego weather.

Engineering 

Victories at WPI…

It doesn’t seem possible that former Woodstock Academy basketball star Ian Converse is already in his senior year in college.  Converse, who’s been a member of the Engineers’ basketball team since his freshman year, started the 2016-2017 season in impressive fashion.  

In a home contest in Worcester, Converse led the Engineers to a 76-62 win over Eastern Connecticut State University.  Converse, who was 7-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the foul line, was the leading scorer for the Techmen with 19 points.  He also contributed seven rebounds in the win.

In his senior year at Woodstock, Converse led the Centaurs to the CIAC Class L State Championship in a final game played at Mohegan Sun Arena against Trinity Catholic.

High School 

Stats and 

Standings…

Killingly High School with its 51-10 victory over Fitch solidified its place in the Class M CIAC Football Playoff Points standings.  The Redmen moved into third place with 122.22 points ahead of Hillhouse, which is in the fourth spot with 121.11 points.  St. Joseph’s is in first place (128.00) and Valley Regional/Old Lyme is in the second slot (125.56).  Both St. Joe’s and VR/OL have clinched a playoff berth.  Killingly also clinched a berth in the playoffs when Waterford was beaten by New London.  The top eight teams in each division move on to the postseason.

Killingly’s Spencer Lockwood has regained the lead as the area’s top rusher following a 310-yard, five-touchdown performance against Fitch.  He has 1,703 yards in nine games.  Woodstock’s Kameron Janice is behind Lockwood with 1,424 in eight games.  He didn’t play against Windham due to a lingering leg issue.

Woodstock’s Jared Bouten is the area’s top passer with 995 yards, followed by Killingly’s Kyle Derosier with 848 yards.  Eric Preston of Woodstock is the leading receiver with 310 yards.

The final Constitution State Conference standings are out.  The Quinebaug Valley Pride finished 11th in the 15-team league.  This is the final season for the CSC.  The Pride was 2-6 in the conference and 2-7 overall.

Big Night For Former Knight…

Binghamton University recently edged Central Connecticut State University 72-70 in an NEC matchup thanks in large part to a former Marianapolis Prep standout.  Bobby Ahearn had a career night as he poured in 19 points on an 8-of-11 shooting performance.  He was 1-of-3 from the charity stripe.  The Bearcats are 2-1 on the young season.   

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Happy Thanksgiving to all our loyal readers.  Enjoy the freedom we have as Americans and say thanks to a veteran.

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