By Ron P. Coderre

In what is probably the worst basketball season collectively for local high schools, with the exception of Plainfield High School, every other local team is mired in a losing season with a record below .500.

Tourtellotte leads the pack in the ‘Battle for the Bottom’ without a single win to show in 14 games.  The way the Tigers are playing it’s possible they could complete the season without reaching the Win column.  Killingly, Ellis Tech and Putnam each have but three victories this season.  Barring a miracle finish, it appears that the trio will not see the postseason.

Woodstock at 5-9 has the best chance to survive the losing plague, but the way the Centaurs have been playing of late it appears they’ve caught the losing disease.  With six games remaining on the regular season schedule, the Academy has to win three to squeak into the CIAC Tournament.

The downward spiral has even spread to the prep schools where victories are scarce with the exception of Putnam Science Academy and Pomfret School.  The Mustangs are 21-3 and the Golden Griffins are 7-4.  Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis V1 and V2 teams are a question mark each time they take the floor.

Coaches Asking ‘Where Are The Wins?’

When it comes to basketball Tourtellotte could easily be called the ‘home of champions.”  In the late 1940s and early 1950s they captured five State championships.  The Tigers repeated the feat again in 1987.  The way things are on the hardwood in N. Grosvenordale today it appears that it will be ages before the Tigers will see another title.

Neil Bernier, the first-year coach of the Tigers, is unfortunately the individual who must begin the rebuilding  process.  Bernier must feel like ‘Old Mother Hubbard.’  When she went to the cupboard it was bare.  When Bernier took over this year it appears he’s inherited a pantry that’s empty also.

If Bernier is to achieve a winning record in his coaching career he’s headed for an uphill climb.  The 2014-2015 Tigers are off to a 0-14 start and are 0-8 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division.  Last week the team continued its downward spiral losing a pair of games.  They were pummeled by Windham 85-27 and lost to Wheeler 57-21.

The lack of offense doesn’t bode well for the remainder of the season and the future.  In the two losses only one player reached double fires.  Evan Ware had 10 points in the big loss to Windham.  The Thompson school system should probably hire a Sherpa to assist Bernier as the task ahead is akin to climbing Mount Everest.

Killingly, which is also searching for wins, picked up a significant victory when it beat Plainfield 57-50.  The Redmen rode a strong offensive second half keyed by Brendan Turner (21), Owen Guillot (12) and Alex Torcoletti (10) for the win.  Steve Jankowski with 15 points and Liam Jacobs with 13 were Plainfield’s top scorers.

The Panthers rebounded from the loss by beating Stonington 53-52.  The winning basket came in the final 14 seconds of the game when Jankowski scored on a driving layup, nestling the round ball into the nylon raising Plainfield’s record to 9-3 on the season.

Killingly lost its other contest, 55-36 to Waterford, as Guillot was the lone Redman in double figures with 10 points.

Putnam split a pair, beating Ellis Tech 70-52 behind freshman Dan Porcic’s 14 points and Jacob Guertin’s 11 markers.  In a key CSC – East contest the Clippers lost to Parish Hill 68-49 to drop to 3-10 overall and 3-4 in the conference.  Nathan Tozzi was the Clippers high scorer with 15, while Porcic chipped in a dozen.

After losing to Putnam, Ellis Tech lost two more games, when they were beaten by Vinal Tech 75-47 and Windham Tech 66-46.  The Techsters are 3-12 on the season and 1-7 in the CSC – East.

Woodstock, which was hoping to climb back over .500 following a tough start to the season, lost two key games last week.  At home against Bacon Academy the Centaurs were hoping to avenge an earlier loss but the Bobcats had a different idea about the outcome.  The visitors left Woodstock with a 47-41 victory.     

The Centaurs then entertained the Fitch Falcons and were disappointed once more, losing 66-53.  Adam Converse was Woodstock’s top scorer with 19 points.  The Centaurs are 5-9 on the season and 2-5 in the ECC Large Division.  They need three wins in their final six regular season games if they hope to return to the CIAC Tournament.

Hyde-Woodstock Finds Winning Ways

Hyde- Woodstock, which has been struggling for wins this season, picked up two wins this week raising its record to 6-10 on the season.  The Wolfpack opened with a 63-58 win over The Wheeler School of Rhode Island.  Damon Gomes with 21 points and Dexter Thompson with 16 keyed the win for Hyde.

The Wolfpack continued its winning ways beating The Winchendon School 73-48 as Eamon Joyce Jr. led the way with 24 points.  Thompson added 23 points in the win.

The Marianapolis V2 team split a pair of games, losing to St. Thomas More 59-46 despite 14 points by Andrew Ford.  The Little Golden Knights evened their record at 6-6 with a 63-39 win over The Williams School.  Ford was the team’s high scorer with 15 points but it was the spirited play off the bench by Matt Sabacinski, who rallied the team with a dozen points.  Ryan Hourihan chipped in 11 points.

The Golden Knights V1 unit was beaten by Worcester Academy 94-55.  Tom Horvat had 19 points in the loss.  Bridgton Academy of Maine came to town and left with a 45-33 win over Marianapolis to drop coach Andrew Vitale’s team to 8-10 on the season.   

Putnam Science Academy got back on the winning track with a solid 62-49 victory over Master’s School of West Hartford.  Josh “The Igniter” Wallace, as he’s done frequently this season, was the high scorer for the Mustangs with 19 points.  Mamadou Diarra had 13 points for coach Tom Espinosa’s team.

The Mustangs continued their winning ways at the National Prep School Invitational at Rhode Island College with a convincing 92-85 victory over Phelps Academy.  PSA placed five players in double figures led by Andrew Robinson who posted 23 points.  The team had 15 baskets from three-point range with Robinson accounting for seven from beyond the arc.  Floor general Kealen Ives had 14 points with four from three-point land.  The other double-digit performers were Hamidou Diallo (16), Mamadou Diarra (13) and Wallace with 15 markers.

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam resident Joe Nash.  A competitive tennis player in his younger days, Nash is known today as a community servant.  He’s a long standing member of the Putnam Board of Finance.  He’ll be blowing out a candle on the cake on Feb. 15.

It’s that time of year when friends get together in support of the Putnam Lions Club Volleyball Challenge.  Every year for more than a decade, mid-March signals the time when the Putnam Lions spring into action for local non-profits with their biggest fund-raiser, The Volleyball Challenge.

The 2015 event is once again being staged at the Strong Field House on the campus of Pomfret School.  The two-day event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15.  The Challenge features the competitive A & B Divisions for the more serious netters and the Corporate Division, which plays for the vaunted traveling trophy.

Individual prizes will be presented to players who raise the most pledges.  Complimentary food, beverages, snacks and T- shirts will be presented to all participants.

Anyone interested in entering a team is encouraged to do so as soon as possible as the tourney usually fills quickly.  For more information or to register a team, contact Steve Faucher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone at 860 617-4142 or Michael Hanrahan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 860 933-5793.

According to Greg King and Club President Lea Therrien, sponsorship opportunities are also available.  Levels include Platinum ($750), Gold ($500), Silver ($350 and $250), Bronze ($150) and Net sponsor ($50).  All sponsors will be acknowledged in the Shoppers Guide and Turnpike Buyer.  Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should do so prior to Feb. 21.  King can be reached at King Cadillac in Putnam.

The Putnam Lions Foundation is a 501 © 3 organization which supports eye research and diabetes care.  During the past 10 years the Putnam Lions have presented more than $250,000 to local charities, non-profits and in scholarships to area students.

Farewell To A Red Sox Great

As a kid growing up in Putnam and being a diehard Boston Red Sox fan one of my favorite players was pitcher Bill Monbouquette, the man who was affectionately referred to a “Monbo.”  A competitive right handed pitcher, Monbouquette was signed by the Sox out of Medford (Mass.) High School.

“Monbo” spent the first eight years of his Major League career with Boston where he compiled a 96-91 record with a respectable 3.68 ERA.  While with the BoSox he was a four-time All Star selection.  In 2000 Monbouquette was elected to the team’s Hall of Fame.

Following his days in Boston he was traded to Detroit and later pitched for the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, although he’ll always be remembered as a workhorse pitcher with Boston.  When he retired in 1968 he posted a 114-112 record with a 3.68 ERA.

The highlight of “Monbo’s” career was August 1, 1962, when he threw a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox as a member of the Red Sox.  Following his retirement he served for 38 years as a scout and coach for several teams.

Approximately eight years ago we had the pleasure of meeting Monbouquette in person at the Raceway Golf Course in Thompson, where he was playing in the Marianapolis Prep School Golf Tournament.  “Monbo” turned out to be the gentleman that we envisioned him to be when he was the hero of a 16-year-old Putnam kid.  Before we parted ways on the day of our meeting, “Monbo” autographed a baseball, which is still one of our most treasured collectibles.

Monbouquette died on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015.  He was 78 years old.

Red Sox Sign Local All Star

The Boston Red Sox recently announced the signing first baseman/outfielder Brian LaHair to an undisclosed minor league deal.  LaHair is the Marco Polo of baseball.  He’s been traveled in baseball from Seattle to Chicago, to Japan and to Akron, Ohio, where he played last season for the Cleveland Indians Double A team.

LaHair has played parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues with the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago Cubs.  His big league stats include a .260 batting average with 21 career home runs and 56 runs batted in.  When playing with the Cubs in 2012, LaHair was the team’s lone representative on the National League All Star team.

Since the 2012 season, he’s never played in the Major Leagues.  Last season he played in the Japanese Baseball League where he batted a disappointing .230 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI.

LaHair’s profile indicates he was born in Worcester; however he spent many years in Thompson.  As a Little Leaguer in Thompson he’s remembered as probably the most prolific hitter to ever grace the North Grosvenordale diamond.  The stories of his home runs are prodigious.  

According to Bleacher Report, “LaHair figures to be little more than Triple A depth for Pawtucket.”  Those who know LaHair are rooting that he’ll surpass that prediction.

Killingly Wrestler Athlete of the Month

Conner Lemley, a junior at Killingly High School, was named the Eastern Connecticut Conference Male Athlete of the Month for December 2014.  Lemley finished the month of December unblemished on the mats at 9-0 in the 195 pound weight class.  He’s currently 20-1 on the season.

Lemley, who is ranked fourth in his weight class by ConnWrestling.com, won his second consecutive Lancer Holiday Tournament in Waterford by pinning all opponents in his weight class to capture the Gold Medal.  The captain of coach Rich Bowen’s squad, Lemley also plays football for the Redmen and was an All-ECC Honorable mention lineman this fall.

Deanna McCarvell, New London High School’s 1000-point scorer, was named the Female Athlete of the Month.  She’s averaging 16 points a game for the Lady Whaler basketball team, which boasts a 13-2 record.

The ECC Athlete of the Month is presented by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Norwich and Woodstock.

Sports Tidbits

Rick Place of Putnam Ford is all smiles following his return from Phoenix where he witnessed the New England Patriots victory in Super Bowl XLIX at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale…Freshman Bobby Ahearn, a Binghamton University forward, posted six points and four rebounds in 27 minutes of action in a 62-61 loss to the University of Hartford.  Ousmane Drame had 20 points in a loss to Canisius and 17 in a loss against Niagara for the 11-10 Quinnipiac Bobcats.  Ahearn and Drame are former Marianapolis Prep standouts…Pomfret School’s Juliette Lawless is 69 points shy of cracking the 1000-point barrier for the Lady Griffins…Woodstock’s Oliver Simon has taken over the lead in three-point field goals with 38, three ahead of Plainfield’s Steve Jankowski.

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Winning is not everything – but making the effort to win is.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

Three local high school teams can breathe easily as they’ve qualified for the CIAC postseason by posting the minimum eight victories in the regular season.  Tourtellotte, Plainfield and Putnam are on the road to tournament play as they’ve passed the eight-win plateau with room to spare.  Tourtellotte not only qualified but the Lady Tigers of coach Carla Faucher have captured the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division regular season crown.  As of press time they boast a perfect 8-0 Small Division record.

Woodstock Academy, which hasn’t reached the tourney in many moons, is on the bubble.  The Lady Centaurs, under the guidance of coach Willie Bousquet, are enjoying one of their most successful seasons in recent history.  The Acads are one win from qualifying with three games to play.  Killingly and Ellis Tech are running out the string.

The preps had a light schedule last week with Pomfret School the only team to pick up a victory.  Hyde-Woodstock and the Marianapolis V1 and V2 teams were winless.

Tourtellotte – We are 

the Champions

The recent snow storms caused a number of postponements, forcing many of the schools to reschedule.  Tourtellotte, thanks to Colbie and Darius, was forced to play back–to-back contests but the Lady Tigers reached for a little extra and pulled off a pair of wins to clinch the ECC Small Division title, making them the pride of Tigerland.

Tourtellotte opened the week against a formidable foe Windham High School and disposed of the Lady Whippets with relative ease 64-29.  After a close first quarter in which they were on top 16-10, the Lady Tigers turned up the defensive pressure and held Windham to only 19 points over the final 24 minutes.

The duo of senior Allie Ablondi and sophomore Abbie Poirier were the offensive catalysts in the win.  Ablondi led all scorers with 17 points with three of her hoops coming from beyond the arc.  Poirier, who is emerging as Tourtellotte’s leader of the future, had 16 points in a brilliant performance.

The next night a tired but courageous bunch of Lady Tigers traveled to North Stonington where they tackled a pesky Wheeler High School team.   In the end Tourtellotte prevailed with a hard fought 49-46 win to raise its overall record to 14-3.  The Allie and Abbie show of Ablondi and Poirier once again led the way to victory.  Ablondi was game-high scorer with 21 points as she continued her long-range assault with six three-pointers, while Poirier chipped in 13 points.

Putnam also enjoyed a perfect week with two wins in raising its record to 9-7 on the season and 8-2 in the Constitution State Conference – East.  The Lady Clippers opened by easily disposing of Ellis Tech 48-8 behind a 16 point performance from freshman Ashley Burke.  Captain Lynsay Dashnaw added 13 markers.  The Lady Techsters also lost 62-34 to Windham Tech to go to 1-16 overall and 0-10 in the CSC – East.

The Lady Clippers then picked up a satisfying 34-29 win over CSC – East opponent Parish Hill.  Alyssa Espinosa and Burke with nine points apiece were Putnam’s top scorers, in a game that the Lady Clippers never trailed the Lady Pirates, who had embarrassed the Lady Clippers earlier in the season.  

Plainfield picked up a key win as it rode Julie Jordan’s 26-point performance to a 61-58 overtime win against a good Stonington team.  Madeline Lorange added 15 points for the 9-7 Lady Panthers, who are 4-4 in the ECC Medium Division.  Plainfield outscored the Lady Bears 5-2 in the extra stanza as a Zoe Beaver basket was the difference in the outcome.

Woodstock Academy clinging to a faint hope of qualifying for the postseason split a pair of wins last week to go to 7-10 overall and 2-6 in the ECC Large Division.  The Lady Centaurs need one win in their final three games to qualify for the CIAC tourney.

Bacon Academy temporarily stalled the Lady Centaurs as it prevailed in a 50-40 victory despite the fact that Woodstock placed three players in double figures.  Galina Gruder was the Acads top gun with 13 points, while Abby Willis and Rebecca Messier each chipped in 10 points.

The Lady Centaurs rebounded with an impressive 45-38 win over Fitch High School in a game played in Groton.  Woodstock fell behind 19-14 at intermission but a solid second half in which they outscored the Lady Falcons 31-19 was the difference in the contest.  Alyson Calabrese turned in a 14-point performance to pace the Academy offense, while Messier added 12 points with two coming from beyond the three-point arc.

Killingly suffered through a three-loss week, falling to 3-13 on the year.  The Redgals were beaten by Plainfield 65-35 as the Lady Panthers Madeline Lorange filled the hoop with 31 points and Shannon Sweeney added 12 markers.  The Redgals then lost 38-29 to Waterford and 80-33 to New London, one of the top teams in Connecticut.

Pomfret Victorious on Huge Offensive Show

Pomfret School went to 9-5 on the season as it exploded on offense for a 74-48 victory over the Groton School.  Three players hit double digits for the Lady Griffins led by Juliette Lawless who posted 20 points as she continues on her road to 1000 points.  Deja Ross had 18 points and Alyzae Davis 17 for Pomfret in support of Lawless.

Hyde-Woodstock lost three games last week to fall to 3-10 on the season.  The Wolfpack was beaten by Portsmouth Abbey 45-29 and by Providence Country Day 48-22.  Dossou Ndiaye was the leading Hyde scorer in both games with 25 and 10 points respectively.  Hyde closed out its week losing to St. Andrew’s 58-17.

The Marianapolis V2 unit dropped to 3-7 on the season, as the Little Lady Knights was beaten by St. Andrew’s 87-23.

 

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