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caption:
Desmond Williams
By Joe West
THOMPSON — In the third game of the Hoop Mountain Prep Tournament, the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs, Dec. 5, in what can be best described as a group effort, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in New England this season with its thrilling 64-63 win over previously undefeated and national power Winchendon School.
The Putnam Science Academy boy’s basketball team got what head coach Tom Espinosa called the “biggest win in school history” on the final day of the Hoop Mountain Prep Tournament.
It’s a tremendous win,” said Espinosa after the game. “I’m so excited for our kids. To come back today and put the effort they did into this game after what happen last night shows you how tough these kids are.”
Freshman Tyree Robinson blocked the game-winning layup attempt with two seconds left to help put the Mustangs (3-1) over the top. It was Robinson’s sixth block of the game and he also grabbed 10 rebounds and scored nine points. PSA was led by Desmond Williams (25 points, nine rebounds, four assists) and Anthony Henry (16 points, six rebounds, four assists).
Wilson Arob (seven points, nine rebounds, three blocks) also contributed for PSA.
In the first tournament game, Dec. 3, PSA notched a big, early-season victory in their first game of the Hoop Mountain Tournament, upending Phase One Academy (Toronto, Canada), 71-65.
Anthony Henry had a great night with 22 points to go with his 3 assists for Putnam Science Academy (2-0). Desmond Williams had 19 points and four assists while 6’9” Wilson Arob led the Mustangs with 14 rebounds and scored 18 points.
“It’s a nice win against a solid team,” said Espinosa after the game. “. I thought we played a very good first half and Anthony Henry was the main reason for that.”
Senior guard Zaquan Nelson added 11 points, 9 assists and 5 steals running the show for PSA.
Dec. 4 the PSA boys basketball team battled into overtime but lost, 56-55, to St. Andrews in the Hoop Mountain Tournament. The Mustangs had two shots to win before regulation expired and also the last shot in overtime but it was not meant to be.
Desmond Williams carried the Mustangs (2-1) with a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds. Zaquan Nelson scored 11 points and Wilson Arob added six points and nine rebounds.
“It’s a tough loss,” said Espinosa. “We had our chances to knock off a powerhouse team. Some huge turnovers down the stretch really hurt us. We need to learn from our mistakes and we have to move on.”