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- Category: Past Issues
By Doc Cody
PUTNAM — Coming off a successful 18-7 season that saw the Putnam High School girls’ basketball team go all the way to the CSC championship game before losing and advancing to the second round of the State tournament before falling to East Granby, the Lady Clippers must now fill in the pieces of the puzzle that are missing from last year.
According to 10th-year coach Willie Bousquet, the loss of guards Regan Guillot and Erin Konicki to graduation are the pieces of the puzzle that must fall into place.
“Finding people to provide solid guard play is my dilemma this season. It seems that graduation always leaves a void and that’s where it is this season,” said coach Bousquet.
Despite this void, Bousquet isn’t lamenting as he looks at the returnees and newcomers to this year’s team. The experienced returnees are a great mix of seniors and juniors.
They’re also a competitive group that will battle every second of the season.
Senior tri-captain Christie Austin, who missed last season due to injury, is poised to fill the center slot. She’ll be flanked by a pair of senior tri-captains, Holly Desrosiers and Megan Heaney at the forward positions. The trio brings solid rebounding and shark-like aggressive defense to the Putnam frontcourt.
A pair of juniors will man the guard positions. Speedy Monica Phongsa will control the point and Ashley Espinosa, who is rounding into form following some knee problems, is the off guard. Espinosa averaged 13.8 points per game last season as a sophomore.
The Putnam bench is deep and will be relied on by Bousquet to spell the starters.
Key performers off the pines include juniors Abbie Allard, Jaylin Greene and Kim Dysinger and sophomores Cynthia Briere, who’ll fill in at center, guards Makenzi Kaylor and Laura Montgomery.
Others expected to see action are junior Jackie Breau and freshman Sierra Roireau.
“This team will benefit from improved guard play. When that occurs we could be a well oiled machine with the combination of height and experience that we bring to the floor,” said Bousquet.
Never one to shy away from a competitive schedule, Bousquet’s charges opened with victories over Wheeler of the ECC and CSC foe Vinal Tech. The remainder of the schedule includes out of conference opponents Tourtellotte, New London and Hale Ray.
Over the Christmas holiday the Lady Clippers will host the Citizens National Bank Clipper Classic.
The tourney ticketed for Dec. 26 and 28 features Tourtellotte vs. Killingly at 1:30 p.m. in the lid lifter followed by Putnam and Parish Hill at 3:30 p.m. The winners will tipoff at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 28 following the consolation contest.
“Facing this rugged schedule, our goal is to finish in the top four in the CSC East and to qualify for the State tournament. I believe these are realistic goals for this group of players,” said Bousquet.
Working on the bench with Bousquet is assistant coach Mandi Hogan, who will also handle the junior varsity coaching duties.
Bousquet is known in coaching circles as a man who encourages positive thinking among his players.
He’s also much respected for developing his players to their maximum.
Look for the Lady Clippers to come along as a unit as the season progresses. If they follow the Bousquet plan, there will be plenty of smiling faces come tournament time.