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A Save

Woodstock Academy's Tucker Johns gloves a save. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

POMFRET —  The Woodstock Academy Ice Hockey team dropped a 5-3 decision to the E.O. Smith-Tolland- Windham Eagles Co-op team Feb. 12 at Jahn Rink. 

The Centaurs came back from 3 goals down and were as close as 4-3 in the final minutes of the third period but fell in the end and dropped to 4-7 on the season. 

Freshman forward Tyler Huhtanan got the Centaurs out to an early lead in the first period off an assist from Will Liscomb.  E.O. Smith responded seconds later to end the first period tied at one. E.O Smith rattled off three power play goals in the second period to take a 3-goal lead after two periods.  Down 4-1 entering the third period, Woodstock cut the score to 4-3 with two goals midway through the third period. 

Freshman forward Nathan DeLuca put home his 11th goal of the season to cut the lead to 4-2. Classmate Liscomb scored his fourth goal of the season on a pass from Nathan DeLuca to cut it to 4-3 before the Eagles scored again with two minutes left in the period to end the game at 5-3.

Considering Woodstock had already lost to E.O. Smith 8-1 and 9-2 in their two previous meetings it was quite an achievement for the Centaurs to play them so close. Filling in for big brother Baylee, sophomore goalie Tucker Johns stopped 41 shots for the Centaurs. 

Woodstock played Eastern Connecticut Eagles  Feb. 19.

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Putnam optometrist Dr. David Gaudreau.  An avid golfer and strong supporter of youth sports, Dr. G, a member of the Putnam Board of Education, is one to look you right in the eye when he’s talking to you.  He just blew out another candle on the cake on Monday, February 17.

This week’s column gives RPC an opportunity to brag a little bit.  

On Jan. 23 a little girl weighing exactly seven pounds was born in Denver, Colo.  Amelia Jennifer Coderre is the adopted daughter of former Putnam High School three-sport standout Christopher Coderre and his wife Jodi Swaine-Coderre.  The newest grandchild in the Coderre family is now comfortably settled in her new home.

As with most newborns, parents have dreams for their children and A.J.,  as she’s affectionately referred to, is no different.  We all hope that our kids will grow up to be special whether it’s in athletics, music, education, medicine or any other career but most of all we’re thankful when they grow up to be solid responsible citizens.

A.J.’s loving parents are certainly no different than other parents but it’s a certainty that she will be encouraged in athletics some day.  Her dad was a football, basketball and baseball standout at Putnam High School, graduating in 1988 before moving on to the University of Dayton.  Today he enjoys a relaxing round of golf and watching basketball on television, especially the Dayton Flyers and Providence Friars.  

Fortunately for A.J. she also has a very athletic mom, who was a college athlete in the SUNY system in New York.  Today her mom is a competitive tennis player, playing regularly on a circuit in the Providence area.

As A.J. grows, it’s a certainty that she will be nurtured and encouraged in whatever field she endeavors by her parents who are proud of their new addition.  Another certainty is that A.J. will always be loved and well cared for by her mom and dad.  And by the way, by her pepere, RPC.

Looking Ahead to Tournament Time 

High school basketball fans that are looking ahead to conference and state tournament play can get their calendars out and reserve some dates for what promises to be another exciting postseason.

The Eastern Connecticut Conference has released its boys’ and girls’ tourney schedules.  The Play-In Round for the boys is Thursday, Feb. 27 at the site of the higher seed.  The quarterfinals are set for Saturday, March 1at St. Bernard High School in Uncasville with starting times of noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.  The semis will take place on Wednesday, March 5 at Waterford High School at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with the Championship contest scheduled for Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Waterford.

The girls’ schedule mirrors the boys but will take place a week earlier.  The Play-In round is Thursday, Feb. 20 followed by the quarterfinals on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Ledyard High School at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.  The semis and finals are scheduled for Plainfield High School on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Friday, Feb. 28.  Semis at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and the championship game at 7 p.m.

It appears that Woodstock Academy, Tourtellotte and Plainfield have made the field for the boys’ event with Killingly still hoping to get in.  On the distaff side, Tourtellotte and Plainfield are in, while Woodstock and Killingly have unfortunately been eliminated.

Putnam and Ellis Tech boys have been eliminated from State postseason play, while Killingly remains on the bubble, with the aforementioned Plainfield, Tourtellotte and Woodstock qualifying.  The girls’ State tourney play falls out exactly as the ECC Tournament with the exception of the Putnam Lady Clippers of the Constitution State Conference that have qualified for the State tourney.

Another Major League Shot for Local Player

Brian LaHair is a professional baseball player whose profile indicates he comes from Worcester, however for those who followed Little League in Thompson in the ‘90s his name conjures up some memories of prodigious home runs.  LaHair was a phenom when he played as a kid in Thompson.  The stories of his four baggers, as told by some of Thompson’s old timers, are of Ruthian proportion.

It’s been said that he hit so many home runs in the Thompson Little League that opposing teams feared him so much they would intentionally walk him rather than taking the chance on him connecting for a Ballantine blast.  LaHair moved from Thompson and played high school baseball at Holy Name High School before going to college in Florida.

Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2002, LaHair played part of one season on the West Coast and then went back to the minor leagues.  His career was resurrected by Theo Epstein General Manager of the Chicago Cubs but LaHair didn’t fare too well in the Windy City for the Cubbies.  In parts of three major league seasons he’s hit 21 home runs and driven in 56 runs.

Last season he played in Japan, where he made $4.5 million but was a major disappointment causing him to be released.  It appears he has a new lease on his baseball life at age 31 as he’s been signed to a minor league contract but invited to major league spring training camp by the Cleveland Indians.  The prognosis is that if he is to make manager Terry Francona’s Tribe it will be as a backup first baseman/outfielder and pinch hitter.

Many of LaHair’s friends and rooters believe he still has what it takes to be a successful major league player.  This may be his final opportunity to prove that theory.

College Update

Paul Brooks, the 6-foot, 9-inch former Putnam Science Academy standout and current Worcester State University Lancer freshman, was recently named the MASCAC Rookie of the Week for the second week in a row and for the third time this season.  Brooks has obviously found himself a home with the Lancers where he’s averaging 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game to go along with 2.5 blocks per contest.  He’s the team leader in blocks and rebounds and fifth in scoring.  In addition he’s ranked 55th in the nation in blocked shots.

Another former Mustang appears to have settled in at the University of Maine.  Shaun Lawton, a 6-4 forward is a starter or first player off the bench for the Black Bears.  He’s averaging 7.6 points per game, while playing almost 27 minutes a contest.  In a recent game against the University of Hartford he had five points, two rebounds and five assists.

Lawton’s teammate is former Hyde-Woodstock 6-9 freshman Christian Ejiga, who is averaging 2.5 points a contest in 12 minutes of action.  Against U of H, Ejiga had one point, two boards and a block in 10 minutes of action.

The former Marianapolis duo of Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame continue to lead Quinnipiac University, which has an impressive 15-8 record.  The Hartford Courant recently ran a front page-sports section story on Drame, relating his move from Africa to the United States and his meteoric rise as a player.

Azotam recorded his 40th career double-double in a win over Rider.  He followed that up with a 15 point performance in an 83-78 victory over Marist.  Drame had a double-double against Marist with 16 points and 10 boards. 

From The Annals of Putnam Sports History

January 1907: Putnam High defeated Webster High 23-21 in a game in Webster.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)

RPC’s Closing Thought  For The Day: You’re what you are when nobody’s looking.

(If you have sports items worthy of publication please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

Tourtellotte’s Kaevon Safford, who scored his 1000th high school career point against Windham, and Plainfield’s Ryan Pambuku, who is on the verge of scoring his 1000th high school career point, continue as the area’s scoring leaders, waging a torrid battle for the top spot. 

This week it’s Safford’s turn to be on the top as he’s averaging 23.1 points per contest, which is .9 ahead of Pambuku who stands at 22.2.  Safford’s Tigers went one-and-one on the week, while Pambuku’s Panthers won their only game of the week to up their winning streak to four games.  Both teams have identical 9-8 records.

Woodstock continued its fine play winning its only contest, while Putnam, Killingly and Ellis Tech all suffered a loss in their only contests of the snow-covered week.

In the preps, Putnam Science Academy continues as the dominant team, while Marianapolis I suffered two losses in what appears to be a stock market, up-and-down season for the Golden Knights.  Pomfret School, Marianapolis II and Hyde-Woodstock all picked up at least one victory.

Woodstock Playing Well Down the Stretch

On its way to the Class L Championship last season one of the flaws on Woodstock’s record was a narrow defeat at the hands of Bacon Academy in what was an emotional win for the Bacon boys.  Last week the Centaurs avenged that loss in their only contest beating the Bobcats 62-48.

A strong defensive effort by coach Greg Smith’s charges, in which they limited the Bobcats to 16 first-half points,  set the tone for the win.  Woodstock went off at intermission ahead 31-16 and finished the game with a solid 21-point final quarter.  The Centaurs were led by three players in double digits, paced by Trent Peters and Chris Lowry with 17 apiece, and Adam Converse with 14.  The win raises the Centaurs record to 14-3 and 7-2 in the ECC Large Division.

Plainfield and Killingly put on a great show for the fans as the Panthers won on a 19-foot Ryan Pambuku three-pointer with under 10 seconds remaining.  The shot gave the Panthers the 54-53 victory.  

Pambuku and Killingly’s Nick Hewitt waged a prolific scoring battle as both players tallied 30 points.  James Saritelli added a dozen for the 6-10 and 2-7 ECC Medium Redmen.  Plainfield which has gone from 5-8 to 9-8 in two weeks is 6-3 in the ECC Medium.

Safford had a 31-point effort against Windham when he recorded his 1000th career point, but his performance was spoiled when the Whippets Devon Roberts hit a three-pointer from beyond half court to hand the Tigers a disappointing 67-65 loss.  Shawn Houle was the only other Tourtellotte player in double figures with 14 markers.

The Tigers bounced back from the loss with a satisfying 80-60 victory over the Lyman Bulldogs.  Safford, with 29 points, was once again the leading Tiger point producer, while Mike Jezierski, with five from beyond the arc, added 15 points and Nate Jewell (15) and Walt Rocca (10) were also in double figures for 9-8 Tourtellotte.

Putnam lost an overtime heart breaker to Norwich Tech 49-48 on the road.  Tyler Genest (14) and Steve Dakai (11) were the 3-12 overall and 1-7 CSC East Clippers’ top scorers.  Ellis Tech dropped its 16th in a row when it was beaten 64-25 by University Prep.    

Putnam Science Academy Rolling Along

Putnam Science Academy racing down the home stretch and hopeful for a berth in the National Prep School Tournament in March posted four wins this week against solid opponents upping their record to 25-3.  The Scientists did incur a blemish on their record as they lost to Brewster Academy in a showdown of No. 1 and No.2 in the prep nation.  

The Mustangs opened the week by beating a good South Kent School 99-91in a high scoring affair.  Five Mustangs were in double figures led by Anthony “Bull” Durham with 31 points.  Joining the Rider University bound Durham in double figures were Dalique Mingo (10), Kyle Menard (17), Jordan “Man Mountain” Butler (19) and Jalen Terry (11).

The Scientists avenged one of their earlier losses by beating Notre Dame Prep of Fitchburg, Mass., 76-72 at the Brewster Academy Showcase.  PSA led 38-26 at intermission and survived a second half ND surge, in which they were outscored 46-38, to post the win.  Once again it was a balanced scoring attack with six players in double figures that won the game for the Mustangs.  Danny “Up Tempo” Upchurch with 19 points was the leading scorer followed by Durham with 14 points, Mingo (11) and the trio of Chaise Daniels, Menard and Terry with 10 points each.

Coach Tom Espinosa’s team also rolled past an outmanned Pomfret School 76-55, jumping out to a 46-27 halftime advantage and never looking back.  Upchurch led the way with 16 markers followed by Durham (13), Menard (10) and Butler who had 11 points.

Pomfret, which was without the services of one of its top players Isaiah Henderson, was led by Jeff Iyalekhue and Barak Swarttz , each with a dozen points and Cam Winston with 10.  Earlier in the week the 8-9 Golden Griffins beat Westminster School 65-53 behind Winston’s 28 points and Iyalekhue’s 19.

The details are skimpy coming out of the finals of the Brewster Academy Showcase but the verdict went against Putnam Science Academy as it was dropped by the hosts 63-50.  According to reports, the game was terminated with about eight minutes to play because of an altercation.  (PTC Sports will have more details on the situation in next week’s paper.)  Durham with 14 points and Upchurch with 10 points were the only two double-figure scorers in the contest for the Mustangs.

Following Saturday evening’s fiasco, the team moved north to Bridgton, Maine, for a Sunday matinee encounter, which they captured 83-57.  Back on solid footing and once again in the win column, the Scientists had four players in double digits in the victory.  Topping the scoring parade were Upchurch and Durham with 17 points apiece, followed by Butler with 13 and Calveti Nyabingi with 11 markers. 

Marianapolis I dropped to 10-10 on the years as it was beaten by St. Andrew’s twice 58-48 and 51-47.  Chiamaka Browne was the lone Golden Knight in double figures with 10 points in the first contest, while Bobby Ahearn with 14 points led the scoring in the second contest.

MPS II posted a 48-37 win over the Putnam Science Academy II unit as Paul Doherty (17) and Matt Sabacinski (13) were the leading scorers for the 11-9 Golden Knights.  Hyde-Woodstock evened its record at 9-9 with a 64-54 win over the Dexter School.  Damon Gomes (24), Dexter Thompson (18) and E.J. Jordine (16) were all in double figures for the winning Wolfpack. 

      Scoring Leaders: Kaevon Safford – Tourtellotte – 23.1; Ryan Pambuku – Plainfield - 22.2; Kenny Grant – Hyde-Woodstock – 19.0; Nick Hewitt – Killingly – 17.3; Anthony Durham – Putnam Science Academy – 16.4.

Three-point Leaders: Mike Jezierski – Tourtellotte – 51; Danny Upchurch – Putnam Science Academy – 47; Kyle Menard – Putnam Science Academy – 40; Jalen Terry – Putnam Science Academy – 36.

RPC’s Super Standings: Putnam Science Academy – 25-3; Woodstock Academy – 14-3; Marianapolis II – 11-9; Marianapolis I – 10-10; Tourtellotte – 9-8; Plainfield – 9-8; Hyde-Woodstock – 9-9; Pomfret School – 8-9; Killingly – 6-10; Putnam – 3-12; Ellis Tech – 0-16.

 

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