The Centaurs won the Power 5 Conference AA prep basketball tournament March 4 at the South End Community Center in Springfield, Mass., 117-97, over Redemption Christian Academy.
While the Gold prep team still has the National Prep championship tournament to play in, the Centaurs Blue team finished its season at 22-11.
“For a first-year prep basketball program, it’s remarkable,” said Blue coach Nick DeFeo. “We had 22 (wins) and (the Centaurs Gold prep team) has 34 with more hopefully to come for (the Gold). All these guys took a chance. We didn’t have anything to hang our hat on, no facts about our program, we had kids who took a chance on us. I hope it was as rewarding for them as it was for us. These guys worked their tails off every single day and it was an unbelievable first year and our kids deserve all the credit.”
The season didn’t start on a wonderful note as it took the Centaurs time to build chemistry and the start was 50-50, a 6-6 mark.
“We started the season very slow. These guys had to adjust. It took a while for us to adjust to the prep circuit, none of our guys played on it before and we adjusted well,” DeFeo added.
The Centaurs fell behind in the championship game when the Lions rattled off seven straight points within a minute and built a 10-point lead, 52-42 following a 3-pointer by Julio Rodriguez with 2:27 left in the half.
But the Centaurs answered with a 10-4 run of their own, highlighted by an E.J. Dambreville (22 points) 3-pointer, to pull within four at the half, 56-52.
“The end of that first half was crucial. That run kept us in the game. If we had folded there, we would have been in trouble in the second half,” DeFeo said.
Gedi Juozapaitis was forced to sit for an extended period in the first half after being saddled with two fouls.
He made up for the lost time in the second.
Juozapaitis scored 10 points in the first half, but erupted for 33 in the second.
The native of London, England had plenty of motivation, his mother was watching the game via Livestream.
“I saw a weakness in their defense and I exposed it and it was working for me. Credit to the guys for giving me the ball and trusting me with it,” Juozapaitis said.
Redemption Christian applied pressure on the ball the whole game and the Centaurs were able to take advantage of that.
“When defenses do that, we like to space the floor. I told (point guard) Danny (Dade), come to the right side with Gedi on the top on the left, because Danny’s lefty and he attacks with his strong hand. They chased over the top every single time and Gedi was open every time,” DeFeo said. “He’s so hard because he’s crafty around the rim and can finish there and if he has the lane, he’s dunking it. If they go under, he’s shooting a three. He got hot and they didn’t adjust.”
Juozapaitis helped the Centaurs break a 69-69 tie with 12:17 to play when he scored 12 in a 20-7 which included a pair of slams and three 3-pointers.
“When you’re in the zone, you don’t think about it. You’re just flowing. I didn’t even know I had 43. I think Danny came over to me with about a minute left and was saying ‘Get 50.’ I was like, ‘I have 43?’” Juozapaitis said.
The run put the Centaurs up by 13 and they gradually built that to 20 where it hung for the remainder of the game.
Dade, playing in his hometown, added 21, 15 of those came in the first half.
“It was a tough season,” Juozapaitis said. “We went 22-11 and to finish the season on a high with my brothers – they are my brothers for life – it was great. Everyone played well, we all stuck with it, even through adversity and we just pulled it out. I’m really happy for my team.”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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Richard Bonneau Sr.,
Vietnam war vet
DANIELSON — Richard “Dick” Bonneau Sr., 72, of North Frontage Rd., died Feb. 28, 2018, in Hartford Hospital. He was the husband of Ann (LePire) Bonneau for 52 years. Born in 1945 in Brunswick, Maine, he was the son of the late Clarence and Antonia (Thibealt) Bonneau.
Dick was a graduate of the Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School and studied to be a machinist. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force, Special Forces, during the Vietnam war, receiving the Purple Heart Award.
He worked in the Engineering Department for Foxwoods Resort and Casino. He was a two-time State commander with the Department of CT AMVETS, National Executive Committeeman, N.E.C., National 1st District Provost and eight-time commander of Post #45 AMVETS in Danielson, a life member of the Danielson VFW , a life member of the Danielson American Legion, member of the Disabled American Veterans in Enfield, Chapter #52 and a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Webster. Dick created a “Wall of Honor” for M.I.A/P.O.W’s Vietnam Veterans from the State of Connecticut and would display the “Wall” for all the families of these soldiers so the veteran would be honored at parades, conventions and local fairs throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In addition to his wife Ann, he leaves his son, Richard A. Bonneau Jr. (Charlene) of Thompson; his daughters, Nanette “Nan” (Bonneau) Viens (Mike) of Putnam, and Tina Marie Bonneau of Danielson; his brother, Clarence R. Bonneau of Sterling; sister, Denise Fitzsimmons of Norwich; grandchildren, Joseph R. Bonneau, Christopher B. Viens, Allison M. Bonneau, and Dylan P. Bonneau; best friend, Al Duff (Pat) of Danielson; and his service dog, “Taco Bella.” He is predeceased by his sister, Lorraine Thibault.
The Mass of Christian Burial was March 6 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert H. Allard
LITTLE RIVER, S.C. & PUTNAM — Robert Henry Allard died Feb. 21, 2018. Robert was “one- of-a-kind.”
He leaves his wife Paula (Wilson) of 52 years; children James (Marla), Albert (Jamie), Stephanie (Brett); grandchildren Cody (Hillary), Abigail, Joshua, Riley, Tristan, Bradley, Allison, Amy; sister, Denise Greene and other family members.
Margaret M. Dowe
HENDERSON, Nev. — Margaret M. ( Boux ) Dowe, 85, died Feb. 23, 2018, at Adelson Hospice Facility in Las Vegas.
Margaret was born in 1932 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. She was the youngest of Louis and Virginia Boux’s seven children.
Margaret earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba, Canada. She was employed as a social work consultant for five convalescent homes in the communities of Brooklyn, Plainfield, and Norwich.
Margaret was an active member of St. Mary Home and School Association, the Daughters of Isabella Association, and served on the Bereavement Committee of Hospice of Northeastern CT for six years. Margaret was a devout Catholic with a big heart who loved helping others.
She leaves her daughter, Elizabeth Sankow (Fred) of Lyme; sons, Gregory Dowe of Fort Worth, Texas, and Michael Dowe of Henderson; grandson, Chad Sankow (Charisse) of Clinton, and granddaughters, Stacey and Sarah Sankow of Lyme. She is predeceased by her husband, Harold Dowe and her daughter, Catherine Dowe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. March 7 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial at St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT, 06067; Nathan Adelson Hospice Facility, 4141 Swenson St. Las Vegas, NV 89119; or St. Mary Church of the Visitation 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT. 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam, CT 06260.
Lynne M. Romanella
THOMPSON — Lynne M. Romanella, 71 of Thompson, died March 2, 2018, at home.
She was the wife of James R. Romanella for 51 years.
She was born Nov. 14, 1946, daughter of the late Everett and Ruth (Conaty) Davis.
Lynne graduated with a bachelor’s in political science from ECSU and she was a member of the Thompson Historical Society. Lynne enjoyed gardening and spending time with her dog Duncan. She worked as a docent at Homestead House in New London then retiring from Foxwoods as a supervisor in 2012.
She leaves her husband James R. Romanella; sons Todd Romanella and Scott Romanella; her brother Michael Davis. Donation: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Antoinette Bembenek
WEBSTER — Antoinette (DeFilippo) Bembenek, 100, died Feb. 27 2018, at The Meadows of Leicester, Mass.
She was born in N. Grosvenordale, the daughter of the late Raffaele DeFilippo and Antoinette (Aliberti) DeFilippo. Antoinette spent most of her life in Webster. She loved to cook authentic Italian food, such as ravioli and Italian cookies.
She leaves her son; Raymond Bembenek Jr. of Woodstock; her sister Dora Titchen of Putnam; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Bembenek Sr.; her daughter Patricia Bundza; and nine brothers and sisters.
The Mass of Christian burial was March 2 at St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Richard P. Mast
N. GROSVENORDALE — Richard P. Mast, 68 died Feb. 27 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.
Richard was born in Berks County, Penn. He has lived in N. Grosvenordale for the past 20 years. He worked as a mechanic at Big Mike’s Auto in Dudley. Richard enjoyed building race cars.
He leaves his nephew, Michael Southwell Sr. of N. Grosvenordale.
The funeral was private. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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Honored
LOWELL, Mass. — Lindsay Roberts of Putnam was named to the fall 2017 dean’s list at UMass Lowell.
On dean's list
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Named to the Southern New Hampshire University fall 2017 Dean’s List: Sydney Blais, Pascoag; Ryan Verrilli, Pomfret Ctr.
Earns Award
Troop 21 Scouts Nathanyal Delgado, left front, and Jared Jordan each recently received a Boy Scout Recruiter Award from Connecticut Rivers Council Nipmuck District Executive Charlie Copeland. The Scouts each recruited another boy to join Troop 21. Photo by John D. Ryan.