By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam Science Academy initiated the 2016-2017 basketball season with early season contests on the Prep and Varsity level.  The Mustangs under the guidance of coach Tom Espinosa will feature two teams for the first time in the school’s history.

The Prep unit is composed of players who are primarily postgraduate students or players who are being heavily recruited on the college level.  The Varsity squad is made up of younger players who will form the nucleus of the Putnam Science Academy Prep team next season.

Mustang Prep Off to 4-0 Start

Led by its showcase performer Hamidou Diallo, Putnam Science Academy waltzed past its first two opponents of the season, City Reach Academy and Spire Academy. The team opened its season with a 123-81 victory over City Reach Academy of New Hampshire.  The Mustangs were paced by the duo of Diallo and newcomer Tanahj Pettway, who each tallied 19 points.  Diallo added seven boards in his season-opening debut. PSA had two other players in double digits.  Brandon Hurst, who is in his third year on the Maple Street campus, had 14 points and point guard Jaheam Cornwall added 13 points to go with six assists.

In the next game, Diallo had another stellar performance, posting 18 points and nine rebounds as he led the Mustangs to a 105-75 win over Spire Academy of Ohio.  Isaac Kante was the team’s high scorer with 19 points, while also corralling eight rebounds.  Much sought after guard Eric Ayala chipped in 11 points and seven assists. The Mustangs then moved on to the National Prep Showcase at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven for its next test in the early season going.  Opening the tourney against Sunrise Christian Academy, PSA encountered a stubborn opponent.

Sunrise took a 42-40 lead to the locker room at halftime but coach Espinosa’s troops responded with a strong second-half performance to pull off an 87-82 victory.  The second-half surge was led by a quintet of double digit scorers.  Leading the way were Diallo and Kante with 19 points apiece.  Also in double figures were Cornwall (18), and Ayala and Darnell Brodie with 11 points each. 

In what looked like a mirror image of the first game at the Prep Showcase, PSA went into halftime down by two but came back with a solid second half to capture an 82-79 victory over Massanutten.  Diallo and Ayala with 15 points each were the leading scorers for the Mustangs.  Diallo also had eight rebounds, as did Brodie who also chipped in 10 points.  Kante had another solid performance, contributing nine points and six boards.  The Mustangs are 4-0 and return to action on November 29 in a contest at Bradford Academy.  

PSA Varsity Captures First 3 Games of Young Season

The Putnam Science Academy Varsity unit flashed its offensive might in its opening game getting by Community College of Rhode Island 86-69.  The Little Mustangs were led by the trio of Kasey Walker, Manny Warren and Amir Paul. Walker tallied 17 points and three assists, while Warren was close behind with 16 markers.  Paul registered a dozen points and pulled down four rebounds.  The trio received support from Robert Durant (10 points) and Adham Flyod who chipped in nine points and five boards. The next evening Flyod  scored 17 points in an 85-63 win over the Nichols College junior varsity.  Paul had a great all-around game, posting 16 points, three caroms and three steals.  Isaiah Laurent added eight points, four rebounds and a block in the team effort. The Little Mustangs scored   146-88 win over the Spire Academy Varsity.  The team offense was paced by Walker (23 points), Alex White, who had a double-double 20 points and 15 rebounds, Jordan Pettway (21) and Warren (19). The Varsity on Nov. 29  faces City Reach Academy Varsity.

Mustang Musings: The Putnam Science Academy Varsity is coached by former Putnam High School standout Travis Godley…Prep player Robert Durant is the first Mustang to sign with a college team for next season.  Nov. 9 Durant signed a National Letter of Intent with NCAA Division II American International College located in Springfield, Mass.  AIC plays in the Northeast-10, one of the best Division II leagues in the country.