It has never been Trent Coleman’s way to sulk or pout or be a bad teammate when things didn’t go his way on the court. He just wasn’t taught to play basketball that way.
So when Putnam Science Academy’s season restarted in February after a three-month pause, and eight new players showed up on the Prep team’s roster and squeezed most of Coleman’s minutes, he knew he had to keep a positive mind.
“You know, I would say it was my fault too. I wasn’t putting in the work the way I was supposed to,” Coleman said last week. “So about two weeks ago, I got a speech, and they told me what I need to get better on. After that, I started putting in the work. Now every morning, 5 a.m., 5:30, me and Bryce (Harris) go and work on those things.”
The result has been a bump in confidence coinciding with an opportunity to display it. Coleman had his best two games of the season this past weekend. Feb. 26, coach Tom Espinosa moved him into the playing rotation as the Mustangs were without Leon Williams and Elijah Hutchins-Everett. PSA won that game, 104-87, against Bridgeport Prep but Espinosa was not pleased with his team’s collective defensive effort. He did say Coleman was one of the few players he was happy with because of the way he was trying to communicate at that end of the floor.
Coleman played with energy on defense and hit some shots on offense, finishing with eight points. The Mustangs played again Feb. 27, and Espinosa called Coleman’s name earlier than he ever had. The 6-foot, 6-inch wing from Ridgeland, Miss., responded by playing with confidence and scoring 11 points, grabbing three rebounds, and handing out three assists. After making two-of-three 3-pointers Feb. 26, he felt good enough to put up six Saturday (though he made just one).
“He’s a team guy, he tries to do everything,” Espinosa said. “He’s a kid we love to have (because) he doesn’t complain if he plays zero minutes or 15 minutes. I gave him a little opportunity and he’s taken advantage of it. He’s really shooting the ball well, in practice and the last couple games. I went to him early (Saturday), and he responded.”
Said Coleman: “My confidence definitely went up after I hit a few shots. Even in practice, I’m a more confident person and taking more shots. It’s showing on the court.
“At the end of the day, I’m really just happy to be playing ball because there’s a lot of people not playing basketball right now. I mean, there are negatives, but the positives outweigh them for sure. I was taught to play basketball. Always be optimistic and think about the positives. So I just always have to be happy.”
In Friday’s win over Bridgeport Prep, Nana Owusu-Anane led the way with 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Harris added 18 points and six rebounds, and Mohamed Sanogo finished with four points and 12 boards.
The effort was better Feb. 27, a 100-69 victory against Overwin Academy. Harris had 21 points and five rebounds as PSA improved to 10-0. Alexis Reyes had 14 points and Owusu chipped in with 13 points.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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DAYVILLE — To support children and families as they continue to experience the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Services launched a Matching Donation Campaign.
“Safe at Home” will benefit United Services Children and Family programs. This includes the region’s only Child Guidance Clinic, providing trauma-focused mental health services for children and families, its array of Family Programs, including in-home parenting support to foster positive home environments for children and families, and the region’s only Domestic Violence Program, providing 24/7/365 emergency crisis, shelter and supportive services to families.
Sponsors have committed to matching $5,000 in community donations. Campaign sponsors are: Mutual of America, Lake Road Generating, Putnam Ford, Genoa Healthcare and Jewett City Savings Bank. The campaign runs through the month of March.
“United Services is seeing increased need across all of our programs,” said Diane L. Manning, President/CEO of United Services, Inc. “We are reaching out to northeastern Connecticut to support children and families to be safe and well at home and in our community, and are grateful to the sponsors that have partnered with us in this effort.”
The annual Irish Night fund-raiser will not be held this year because of the pandemic. The 20th annual Irish Night will be held March 11, 2022, at Wrights Mill Farm in Canterbury.
For more information or to donate to United Services Safe at Home campaign, please visit unitedservicesct.org.
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Scholarships
offered by Lions
PUTNAM — The Putnam Lions Club is accepting applications for $1,000 non-renewable scholarships for any graduating high school senior or homeschooled student who is a Putnam resident.
Deadline for applications is April 1.
If you are interested in applying please email
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Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Board
of Appeals
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting via ZOOM on March 16, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. A public hearing will be held on each of the following:
Appeal # 2021-001: Route 44 Realty LLC — Request for a Certificate of Approval of Location as a 2000 S.F. addition is being proposed to the service area at 157 Providence Pike. Property noted by location Town Assessor’s Map 027, Lot 25. Zoned Highway Commercial.
Appeal # 2021-002: Lisa- Jean Gifford — Request for a variance from the required 22 feet in height to 26 feet in height to accommodate a horse-riding arena at 630 Liberty Highway. Property noted by location Town Assessor’s Map 022, Lot 007. Zoned R-40.
Joseph Nash,
Chairman
Zoom meeting information will be available on the Town of Putnam website one week prior to the meeting date.
March 4, 2021
March 11, 2021
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Commission
The Town of Putnam Zoning Commission will be holding a meeting via ZOOM on March 17, 2021, at 7:00 P.M. A public hearing will be held on the following:
Docket # 2021-01: Sean Sullivan — Request for rear lot approval for property located at 340 Sabin Street, Town Assessor’s Map 10, Lot 31. Zoned R-10.
Patricia Hedenberg,
Chair
Zoom meeting information will be available on the Town of Putnam website one week prior to the meeting date.
March 4, 2021
March 11, 2021
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