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By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM — Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa’s stable of incoming Mustangs continues to grow as quality recruits are opting to spend a year under Espinosa’s tutelage. The latest recruit to select PSA is Paul Brooks of Arlington, Mass.
Brooks, a 6-foot, 8-inch center comes to the Scientists with impressive credentials. Last season for Arlington High School of the Middlesex League he averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks per game. The Sky Ponders posted a 12-10 record.
“In Brooks we feel we’ve found a legitimate big man who is accustomed to rugged play under the boards. He brings great complementary skills to a team that has speed and shooting,” said Espinosa.
A two-time Boston Globe Player-of-the-Week, with five triple-doubles to his credit last season, Brooks played for coach John Bowler, who was a college teammate of Espinosa’s for a season at Worcester State University.
“I think I’m fortunate that my college-playing career has connected me with a number of other college and high school coaches. Surprise calls such as the one I received from coach Bowler made my day like Christmas in August,” said Espinosa.
Bowler, who is the sixth recruit to commit to the Mustangs, will arrive on the PSA campus at the end of August. He will team up with 6-11 Ugar Hortom on the inside and a quartet of swing players from the New York area, 6-1 Jemal Mosley, Jonte Rutty, Joel Angus and Mariega Clarke. Espinosa also has two returning players from last season’s team, giving him probably the deepest squad he’s had since the school became a legitimate prep basketball program.