Boys’ Wrap-up
Lucky few
make tourney list
By Ron P. Coderre
Lady Luck shone down on a few fortunate teams in both the prep school and high school ranks as they posted wins making them eligible for postseason play. Putnam Science Academy was selected once again for the National Prep School Championships. This was the Mustangs second invite in the last two seasons.
Hyde-Woodstock, which played through an up and down season, put its best effort forward at the end of the season, walking off with the SENE Division I Championship trophy. Likewise, the Marianapolis V2 program grabbed the brass ring in the SENE Division II title game and was presented the championship crown. The Marianapolis V1 unit closed out its season, winning three of four games in the final week. Pomfret lost its only game of the week.
Putnam High School teetering on the edge of the postseason cliff all season, received an entry into the CIAC Tournament by capturing a pair of must win contests. The Clippers won their final two games of the year to squeak into the tourney at 8-12.
Plainfield, which was securely locked in to the postseason, had a 1-1 week. Killingly, which was in the same predicament as Putnam, wasn’t as fortunate. The Redmen needing one win it their final two games lost both. Ellis Tech finished on a losing note at 3-17.
PSA Mustangs Capture
Inaugural Big-5 Conference Title
Putnam Science Academy capped a very special week in the brief history of its basketball program, capturing the inaugural Big-5 Conference Championship. The Mustangs racked up a well deserved 66-58 victory over nationally ranked #2 Notre Dame Prep in a game played on the Dee Rowe court at Worcester Academy. The Mustangs were also notified of their selection into the National Prep School Championship Tournament.
The Scientists, with an enthusiastic student body on hand, parlayed its long range bombing arsenal with an active and sticky defense in walking off with the crown. The chief offensive culprit was Quinnipiac-bound Andrew Robinson who poured in 21 points on seven three pointers. Slick ball handling guard Kealen Ives was also in double figures with 17, while Hamidou Diallo and Vincent “The Big” Eze each added 10.
Trailing by two points at intermission 28-26, the Mustangs came out cold in the second half and fell by eight points at one juncture. A huge run during a nine minute span in the middle of the second half, in which they outscored Notre Dame 20-10 and some key free throw shooting down the stretch spelled the difference in the win.
In the last 1:48 of the contest Josh “The Igniter” Wallace, who had seven points and controlled the boards, sank four key free throws followed by another pair from the charity stripe by Ives, as the final seconds were running out on Notre Dame.
PSA opened the week with a 111-74 victory over Rise Academy of Philadelphia. Ives with 20 points led seven Mustangs in double figures. The next victim for the 27-7 Scientists was a stubborn Masters School, which fell 68-62. Andrew Robinson with 19 and Wallace with 17 were the team’s top scorers.
In a nail biter the Mustangs edged Commonwealth Academy 73-72 in a game that was close throughout. Andrew Robinson and Wallace once again led the way with 18 and 16 points respectively. The team finally caught a breather as it rolled over Redemption Christian 112-81 in the opening round of the Big-5 Conference Tournament. Five players hit double digits, led by Diallo with 20 points.
The Team now awaits the National Prep School Championships at Connecticut College, which begin on March 10. The Mustangs open against Hargrave Academy of Virginia.
Marianapolis Prep V1 team broke an 11-game losing streak with a modest three-game winning streak. The Golden Knights opened the skein with a well played 62-47 victory over Masters School. Senior guard Ryan Bernstein posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists to pace the victory.
Coach Andrew Vitale’s charges then slipped by Commonwealth Prep 70-69 as Tom Horvat was the team-high scorer with 20 and Dominique Senat chipped in 18. A trip to Hoosick, N.Y., proved beneficial as the Golden Knights rode home 61-52 winners over Hoosac School. Adrian LaFleur had 20 and Bernstein 15 to lead the way.
All good things must come to an end and that happened in the Knights final game of the season when they lost a squeaker to Vermont Academy in the Green Mountain State. Horvat (25) and LaFleur (24) provided the offense for Marianapolis, which closes the campaign at 11-16.
The Little Golden Knights closed out their campaign by winning the SENE Division II crown with a 53-37 victory over Rocky Hill School. Ryan Hourihan and Andrew Ford each had 13 points in the title contest. Marianapolis V2 unit finishes 11-8 overall and 4-0 in the SENE.
Hyde-Woodstock won the SENE Division I crown with a 79-63 victory over The Wheeler School. Damon Gomes and Dexter Thompson paced the Wolfpack with 26 points apiece. Eamonn Joyce posted a double-double,10 points and 19 rebounds. In their first game of the week the Wolfpack was beaten 83-66 by Providence Country Day as Dexter once again posted 26 points. Gomes added 21 and Joyce had another double-double with 15 points and 16 boards for 13-11 Hyde-Woodstock.
Pomfret School at 10-10 lost to Cheshire Academy 68-55 despite a solid 16-point and 10- rebound performance by Gerald Blount.
Clippers Qualify for CIAC Tournament
Putnam, needing two wins in its final three games, began the trifecta by losing the first game to Wheeler 74-65 despite placing four players in double figures led by freshman Dan Porcic with 15.
Down to the wire still needing two wins in its final two contests the Clippers amazed their faithful by pulling off the victories and qualifying for the CIAC Tournament. Against a Lyman team that had beaten the Clippers at home earlier in the season, the team got its first miracle when it stunned the Bulldogs 55-47. Putnam broke out early and led 34-22 at halftime and hung on for the victory thanks to Porcic’s 21-point performance. Seniors Jacob Guertin and Shawn Audet added 12 and 10 points respectively.
Needing to win its final game of the regular season to make the postseason, the Clippers rose to the occasion with a commanding 80-60 victory over Grasso Tech in front of a “senior night” crowd in the legendary Putnam High School gym. This was the final high school contest in the facility that has witnessed so many fine athletes pass through its doors in its more than 60 years of existence. Audet closed out his career with 25 points to lead the Clippers. Captain Jacob Guertin added 11, while Porcic chipped in 16 and junior Jeremee Perez had 10. Putnam is 8-12 entering postseason play.
Killingly needed two wins in its final two games to also get into the tournament but was unable to turn the trick. The Redmen lost to St. Bernard 68-52 and New London 64-48. Brendan Turner had 17 in the loss to the Saints. Killingly finishes at 7-13, one win shy of postseason play.
Plainfield closed out its regular season schedule with a satisfying 78-69 victory over archrival Griswold. Four Panthers were in double figures led by Liam Jacobs with 23, followed by David Carpenter 17, Andre Bergeron 14 and Steve Jankowski 18.
The Panthers lost in the first round of the Eastern Connecticut Conference Tournament in overtime to St. Bernard 61-60. Jankowski with 27 points was immense for Plainfield in the loss. The Panthers enter the CIAC Tournament at 14-7.
Tourtellotte completed a winless season at 0-20 when it lost to Grasso Tech 53-52. Ellis Tech closed out a 3-17 season with a 70-34 loss at the hands of Vinal Tech.
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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
Feb. 18
Richard Horneberger, 34, Arch Street, New Britain; second-degree larceny, third-degree burglary.
Drug arrest
KILLINGLY — A New Hampshire man was arrested on drug charges Feb. 18 after a motor vehicle stop.
Zachary Padilla, 26, of Portsmouth, was charged with possession of narcotics ad possession of narcotics with intent to sell.
Members of the Troop D Quality of Life Task Force (QLTF) stopped a vehicle on Westcott Road in front of the Troop D barracks for a motor vehicle violation. During the stop, K9 Dutch, a Dutch Shepherd patrol dog cross trained in narcotic detection, alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search was conducted and Troopers found 50 bags of heroin pre-packaged for sale along with approximately 3 grams of crack cocaine.
QLTF members were assisted by Troopers from the Killingly Resident Troopers Office and the Brooklyn Resident Troopers Office.
Members of the Connecticut State Police are committed to combating drug activity in the “Quiet Corner” and anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of narcotics are encouraged to call the Troop D QLTF anonymous Tips Hotline at 860-779-4950 or message the QLTF Facebook page.
By Ron P. Coderre
There was a huge rush to complete the regular season boys’ basketball schedule last week as the weather man with his unusual snow fall created earlier postponements. Teams were actively pushing to squeeze in all their games prior to conference and State tournaments.
The teams that have been eliminated from the postseason grew by one last week, as Woodstock, resembling the Red Sox, went from State champs two years ago to out of the playoff picture this year as it finished the season at 7-13. The Acads join previously eliminated Ellis Tech and Tourtellotte in those ranks.
Putnam and Killingly desperately needing victories rose to the occasion as both enjoyed 2-0 weeks. Killingly won over Montville and Griswold and is 7-11 and need one more win in its final two games to qualify. Putnam at 6-11 picked up victories over Tourtellotte and Grasso Tech but must win two of its final three games to gain entry into the postseason.
Plainfield at 13-6 is securely locked in.
Putnam Science Academy is in a season- ending swoon. The Mustangs at 22-7 experienced two unusual two-game losing streaks. They must pick up the tempo if they expect to be invited to the National Prep School Tournament again this year.
The Marianapolis V2 squad reached the SENE Division II Championship game against Providence Country Day. The Golden Knights V1 team, in a downward spiral is in the midst of a 10-game losing streak.
Pomfret School’s NEPSAC Tournament hopes remain alive, while Hyde-Woodstock at 9-11 is hoping to go out on a winning note.
Bubble hasn’t Burst Yet for Clippers, Redmen
When teams speak about being on the bubble it means that at any minute their hopes for the postseason could burst or with any luck the bubble will float to the tournament. Killingly and Putnam currently sit on top the bubble. The weight is much greater for the Clippers, while the Redmen look like they may survive.
Killingly, which seems to have come to the realization that winning is enjoyable, picked up two wins last week to go to 7-11 on the season. The Redmen started with a 52-46 win over a good Montville team. Owen Guillot, playing like a shadow of his dad Bill, the former Tourtellotte standout, had a career game leading Killingly to the win with 24 points. Three of his hoops were from three-point land. Brenden Turner was the only other player in double figures with 11 points.
The Redmen continued their winning ways with a 60-39 victory over Griswold. After falling behind 9-0 at the onset, Killingly coach Jim Crabtree inserted Turner into the game and he responded with a 26-point performance to pace the Redmen. Big Ben Desaulnier had 16 markers and Guillot chipped in a dozen.
Killingly must pick up one win in its final two games to qualify for the Eastern Connecticut Conference and CIAC tournaments. They play St. Bernard and New London to close out the regular season. If they hope to qualify they must beat the Saints because beating New London, which is the #2 team in Connecticut, will be like a trip to the moon. Impossible.
The Putnam Clippers opened last week with a closer than anticipated 65-58 win over winless Tourtellotte. A late Tiger run in the fourth quarter where they outscored Putnam 20-13 threw a scare into the Clipper faithful. Putnam was led by Shawn Audet with 22 points and Jacob Guertin with 10. Kyle Brule had 14 for Tourtellotte. The Tigers lost their only other game of the week, 57-40 to Norwich Tech to go to 0-19 on the season.
Putnam continued on its winning ways with a 77-61 win over Grasso Tech. Steve Dakai, with a double-double, 24 points and 12 rebounds, was immense for Putnam in the win. Audet added 15 points and freshman Dan Porcic continued his fine play with 19 points.
The Clippers must win two of their final three games to enter the postseason. Two of their upcoming opponents are Wheeler and Lyman, teams that have beaten Putnam earlier in the season.
Plainfield had the misfortune of having to play New London twice in one week. The outcome was the same both times with the Panthers on the short end of the scores 79-41 and 77-63. In its only other game Plainfield slipped by Lyman 49-47 thanks to a 16-point performance by Liam Jacobs. Steve Jankowski (12) and Andre Bergeron (10) were also in double figures for the 13-5 Panthers. Jacobs also posted 26 in the second loss to New London.
Woodstock Academy bowed out of the 2014-2015 season with a last-gasp effort that fell just short. Needing to win its final two games to make the postseason, the Acads upset University Prep 44-37 behind a 16-point performance by Adam Converse. Unfortunately, the Centaurs were unable to sustain their winning ways as they were overwhelmed by a very good Ledyard team, losing their final game of the season 89-56 to the Colonels. Converse had 19 and Nick Short 15 for Woodstock which closes at 7-13.
Ellis Tech at 3-16 overall and 1-9 in the Constitution State Conference – East lost both its games last week, 75-38 to Parish Hill and 73-33 to Griswold.
Marianapolis Falls Twice in Local Matchups
Marianapolis V1 had a busy week playing three games, two of which pitted them against local preps, Pomfret School and Hyde-Woodstock. The Golden Knights, who are currently mired in a 10-game losing streak, lost the battle for local supremacy being beaten both games.
Leading 30-26 at halftime, Marianapolis was unable to stand prosperity as it allowed Pomfret School to walk off with a home court 66-61 victory. The Golden Griffins were led by Obim Okeke with 20 points. He was joined in double figures by Pelumi Onabanjo and Maguire “Moose” Crouse with 10 points apiece. Tim Horvat with 35 points was a one-man show for the Golden Knights. In its only other game, Pomfret was dropped by Rivers School 61-39, despite a double-double by Gerald Blount. He had a dozen points and corralled 11 rebounds for the 11-8 Golden Griffins.
In an unusual outcome, Marianapolis also lost to Hyde-Woodstock 66-65. Eamon Joyce with 20 points led a trio of Wolfpack players in double digits as Damon Gomes had 17 and Dexter Thompson added 16 for Hyde-Woodstock. Ryan Berstein had 19 and Horvat 17 for MPS. Later in the week the Knights lost to Kimball Union 70-53 to fall to 8-14 on the season.
Hyde-Woodstock maintained its winning ways, picking two additional victories in a perfect 3-0 week. The Wolfpack beat Hebron Academy 78-40 on the strength of a 22-point showing by Thompson. They followed that victory with a 76-64 win over Kents Hill as Thompson and Gomes paved the way with 23 and 24 points respectively.
The Little Golden Knights were felled by St. Andrew’s 69-55 despite 12 points apiece from Colin and Ryan Hourihan. The V2 team bounced back, beating Rocky Hill 50-34 to clinch a berth in the SENE Div. II title game against Providence Country Day.
Putnam Science Academy experiencing an unusual losing stretch lost a last second heartbreaker to Brimmer & May 66-65. Mamadou Diarra with 18 points was the Mustangs leading scorer while Kealen Ives chipped in 16 and Hamidou Diallo added 10.
The Mustangs regained a bit of respect with a thrilling 67-62 win over #2 nationally ranked Notre Dame Prep at the Brewster Academy Showcase. Point guard Ives was the team’s scorer with 17 points followed by Diallo with 15 and Andrew Robinson with 11.
In the finale of the Showcase, PSA fell at the hands of host Brewster 87-74 in a game that was much closer than the final score might indicate. The two teams were tied with four minutes to play before Brewster pulled away, handing the Mustangs their sixth loss of the season. Andrew Robinson had 25 points in the loss.
A trip to Bridgton, Maine, resulted in another loss. The Mustangs fell at the hands of host Bridgton Academy 72-67. Leading by nine at intermission and by as many as 18 at one point in the second half, PSA let victory slip through its fingers. The Mustangs were led by Josh Wallace with 15 points.
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