The Woodstock Academy boys’ basketball team played tough on the road last week.
It came home with mixed results. The Centaurs lost a heartbreaker in Stonington, 59-58 Feb. 9.
That followed a 55-51 overtime win over Bacon Academy in Colchester Feb. 6.
It left The Academy with a 6-11 record going into its final three games.
The two games this week are on the road at Montville and Fitch before the Centaurs come home for their finale Feb. 19 against Ellington. They need to win two of the last three games to qualify for the state tournament.
The Centaurs opened a 30-18 lead on the Bears in the first half, but then Zack Scott got hot for Stonington.
He hit a trio of 3-pointers and scored 14 of his 20 points in the third quarter to help the Bears scramble back into the game.
“Stonington came at us with 3’s from every direction and we nearly had the answers because we owned the paint. But when you trade 3’s for 2’s, it can add up against you,” said Centaurs coach Marty Hart.
The 3-pointers did take their toll and with 30 seconds left in the game, the Centaurs were down by two.
Aaron Johnson gave the Centaurs the 1-point advantage with a 3-pointer, but Stonington quickly retook the lead on a layup by R.J. Parilla with 7 ½ seconds left in the game.
The Academy got off a last second shot, but it failed to find the basket.
Luke Mathewson led the Centaurs with 20 while Cole Hackett added 17.
“They keyed on Chase (Anderson who was held to seven points),” Hart said. “I give credit to Mathewson and Hackett who stepped up and to Chase for deferring his shots and being a facilitator.”
The Centaurs continued their quest to make the state tournament with a good win on the road over the Bobcats.
It wasn’t an easy start for the Centaurs against the Bobcats.
As he did at the Alumni Fieldhouse, Jared Smith had the hot hand early against the Centaurs.
He hit four 3-pointers and had 17 of his game-high 25 points in the first half, single-handedly outscoring the Centaurs, 17-15.
“Heading into the game, it was our intention to stop him. We made a much better effort to do that in the second half,” Hart said.
The Centaurs pulled within five by the end of the third quarter and then outscored the Bobcats, 16-11, in the fourth to send the game into overtime.
“Down the stretch, I really have to credit our willingness to share the ball and find the right shots by working from the inside-out,” Hart said.
It benefitted the Centaurs in the extra period where they outscored the Bobcats, 13-9.
Hackett had five of his team-high 17 points, to go with 13 rebounds, in the overtime. Mathewson added six of his 13 in the overtime as the Centaurs outscored Bacon Academy, 13-9.
“Maintaining our composure and poise when faced with such adversity in a key overtime road win shows us we are maturing and want to play hard, smart and together,” Hart said.
Anderson added 15 points and eight assists in the win.
Gold team continues to win
Chris Childs paced the Woodstock Academy Gold prep basketball team with 14 points in an 82-61 win over Lee Academy Feb. 11 at the Frank Monahan Showcase in Concord, N.H. Jakigh Dottin and Jeameril Wilson each added 13 points as the Gold team raised its record to 26-3.
The Gold team also downed MacDuffie on the road, 81-71 Feb. 8. Tre Mitchell led the way as the center had a double-double, 20 points, 11 rebounds, in the win. Luis Rodriguez added 20 points and five steals.
Blue splits weekend fare
The Blue prep squad put together a nice win over the Monroe Community College JV team Feb. 10, but struggled against Springfield Commonwealth Academy Feb. 11.
The Centaurs opened the home weekend with a 97-79 win over Monroe which hails from Rochester, N.Y., and had already beaten the Centaurs this season.
E.J. Dambreville led the way with 32 points.
“The kid is tough,” said Blue prep coach Nick DeFeo. “He was scoring it early from the outside and then he got to the rim. He got banged up in the second half, was bleeding, and that really set him off. He got three straight 3’s after that and didn’t even hit the rim. He gets us going. He paces us, offensively and defensively.”
Gedi Juozapaitis added 19 points while Alex Illic tossed in 15 in the win.
Dambreville (13 points) never got going Feb. 11.
Neither did the Centaurs (17-9) in a 72-70 loss to the Tornadoes.
The play on the floor reflected the dreary, wet conditions outside as the Centaurs only showed one glimpse of life.
Trailing 29-28 at the half, the Centaurs turned it up a notch and went on a 17-4 run to open the second half and put the Blue squad up by 12.
Juozapaitis and Illic each had five of their 12 points in the run, but the candle went out as fast as it was lit.
Commonwealth responded with a pair of 3-pointers that ignited a 14-2 run of its own and was quickly back within a point.
The lead see-sawed back and forth until the Tornadoes took it for good on a basket by Jajahn Joyner with 48 seconds to play.
Centaurs boys hockey takes 3
Two games against the Redhawks cooperative came at the right time for the Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team.
The Centaurs downed the Redhawks, 4-1, on Monday at the Norwich Ice Rink and followed that up with a 12-0 win Feb. 10 at the Jahn Ice Rink in Pomfret.
Sandwiched in between was a 7-4 win over South Hadley, Mass.
The three victories, collectively, brought the Centaurs back to the .500 mark at 7-7.
Goalie Dylan Shea was spot-on.
He faced 64 shots and allowed just five goals.
The offense got contributions from just about everyone.
Eleven different players scored in the Saturday rout with Jake Starr as the only player to get two goals.
He, Doug Newton and Jake Black all had three assists.
Black and Guerin Favreau had two goals each in the win over South Hadley while Matt Odom, Favreau, Black and Pat Delaney scored in the first game against the Redhawks.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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caption:
Starting 5
The starting five for the PMS Wolfpack. Courtesy photo.
By Shawn Bates
The Putnam High School Lady Clippers went to play the Lady Wolverines in Griswold Feb. 8 and showed Griswold no mercy. Putnam held Griswold to a total of 9 points in the first half of the game and would go on to beat the Wolverines 42-25. Freshman Abby St. Martin and Kayleigh Lyons would each net eight points to lead the Clipper ship.
The ladies are now 13-4 and are ranked fourth in the Class S rankings for the state. The Clippers played one more game at home against Wheeler on the 12th and the next two will be on the road against Windham Tech and Grasso Tech. Putnam has defeated all 3 teams and can possibly win out!
Putnam Middle School
Boys
It’s hard to believe the year is complete and for the Wolfpack they took a talented 8th grade heavy team to the finals against Ashford. In the first game of the tournament, they would face Eastford and would win easily 65-40 on the Wolfpack‘s home court. Karson Bates would net 13 and Carter Morissette dropped in another 13 to lead the team-high scorers in the convincing.
But Feb. 8, in front of a packed house, Putnam would fall short losing 51-45 against last year’s defending champs Ashford. Putnam would fall behind early and would be behind the entire game but with key baskets by Cooper Livingston, Karson Bates and Carter Morissette, Putnam would climb back from a 20 point third-quarter lead to be in striking distance by 6 .
But Ashford couldn’t miss the hoop in the final minutes of the game to take the championship two years in a row from Putnam. Karson Bates had 12 points and Carter Morissette 11. Putnam ended their season 9-5
Girls
The girls took an early exit from the tournament with a first round loss to Ashford.
The ladies finished up the year a successful season, according to coach Miller. He said, “I’m very pleased with play this year and the hard work that the ladies put in over 2 and ½ months. Hopefully like the boys they came away better then they started off to give the high school and Coach Hogan some more reserves for the Lady Clippers.”
Putnam High
Boys
The Clippers hosted ECC foe Griswold Feb. 8 and walked out with a loss. Putnam would come out and match point for point with Griswold for the first half of the game and would go into the locker room with a 3-point lead at half time.
With the start of the 3rd quarter Griswold would start to pull away and would lead the Clippers going into the 4th quarter, 38-30. But in the 4th the Wolverine’s would take advantage of some key turnovers and would walk out of the gym with a 64-36 win over the Clippers.
Putnam is now in a four-game slump with 5 to go in the season. Putnam is two shy of the magic number of eight for tournament play. Putnam has three games coming up with Cheney away, Wheeler away, and Grasso Tech home for the last game in Putnam for the year.
Guiseppe Mancini,
Army veteran
Guiseppe “Joe” Mancini, 75, died Feb. 9, 2018.
He was born Sept. 10, 1942, in Pontelandolfo, Italy, son of Orazio and Maria Mancini.
Joe served in the U.S. Army as an MP in Germany. He worked at Boudreau‘s welding until he retired.
He leaves behind his wife Linda (Gould); two stepchildren Shanna Wrobel who helped care for him, Shawn Wrobel (Kristie); granddaughter Charlie and also his daughter Angela; two brothers Giambattista “John” (Elaine) and Vito (Anna).
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: NECCOG Animal Services, 125 Putnam Pike, Dayville, CT 06241.
Elizabeth L. LeClair
N. GROSVENORDALE — Elizabeth “Betty” (Willett) LeClair, 88, of Main St., died Feb. 7, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late George S. LeClair. They were united in marriage on July 8, 1950, in St. Stephen Church.
Born in 1929 in Quinebaug, she was the daughter of the late George And Jane (Rivers) Willett.
Mrs. LeClair received her bachelor’s degree from Annhurst College and went on to receive her master’s degree in teaching from Worcester State College.
She worked as a high school business teacher for eight years with the Thompson School Systems, and 17 years with the Southbridge School Systems.
She was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the National Teachers Association, the Thompson Historical Society, Tourtellotte Alumni Association, and the Thompson and Putnam Senior Citizens.
She enjoyed reading, knitting and traveling locally and internationally.
She leaves her son, Richard LeClair of Phoenix; her daughter, Alicia J. LeClair of Quinebaug; and her close friend Vickie Revet of N. Grosvenordale. She is predeceased by her son, Peter R. LeClair and her brothers, Robert and Richard Willette.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 13 at St. Stephen Church, Quinebaug, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Dept. P.O. Box 144, Quinebaug, CT 06262. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Pamela Flagg Lameira
KILLINGLY — Pamela L. (Flagg) Lameira, 66, died Feb. 6, 2018, at home in Killingly. She was the wife of the late Manuel Lameira. He died Nov. 2, 2017. She was born June 1, 1951, in Plainfield, daughter of the late John and Juliet (Cote) Flagg.
Pamela worked at Matulaitis Nursing Home as a CNA in Putnam for many years. She leaves her children: Linda Duff (Kenneth), Miguel Lameira (Stephanie), Angela Bunn; sisters Deb Flagg, Joeann Tivnan; seven grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 9 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Deborah A. LeBeau
BALTIC — Deborah A. LeBeau, 69 of Baltic, died Feb. 9, 2018, in Norwich, after an illness. She was born Sept. 13, 1948, in Webster, daughter of Joseph and Joan Harris.
She had made her home in Baltic for many years, formerly of Putnam and Webster. She had a passion for animals and spent her retirement years caring for the many she rescued.
She leaves her children Michelle Mackin, Polly Kirk, Tammy LeBeau, Brian Marcotte; grandchildren, Laura Perkins, Meagan Perkins, Shaine Bonin, Ricky Kirk, Kim Sparkman, Justin Higgins, Randy Higgins, Kyle LeBeau; great-grandchildren Jackson Sparkman, Cason LeBeau; her siblings Dianne, Donna, Denis, Danny of Webster. She was predeceased by her son Craig LeBeau in 1998
A Memorial Service was Feb. 14 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Nathan Millette
PUTNAM — Nathan David Millette, 22, of Putnam, and formerly of Melbourne, Fla., died unexpectedly Feb. 5, 2018.
He was born Dec. 26, 1995, in Tulsa, Okla., son of David and Cindy (Blake) Millette of Melbourne.
Nathan worked as a cook while furthering his education and pursuing his career.
A Memorial Service was Feb. 10 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Jesse R. Remillard
PUTNAM — Jesse R. Remillard, 37, of Bibeault St., died Feb. 8, 2018, as the result of an automobile accident in Killingly. Born in 1980 in Farmington, he was the son of Jacalyn (Chesser) Remillard and the late Richard W. Remillard.
Jesse was a graduate of Putnam High School. He worked as a self-employed lawn care operator. He enjoyed playing video games, fishing, and spending time with his friends at the VFW playing pool. He was a Buffalo Bills fan.
In addition to his mother Jacalyn, he leaves his sons, Caleb M. Remillard and Trevor R. Remillard; and his brother, Robert “Rob” Remillard (Angela) of Stafford Springs.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Kathleen Cushing
DUDLEY — Kathleen M. (Kane) Cushing, 74, of Dudley died Feb. 9, 2018, at UMass Memorial HealthCare of Worcester after a brief illness.
She was the wife of Donald F. Cushing, her college sweetheart, for 52 years.
Born in Worcester, Kathleen was the daughter of the late Gerald K. and the late Jane M. (Bergin) Kane. She graduated from Leicester High School and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education from Worcester State University and her Religious Education Certification from Assumption College.
Kathleen dedicated herself to teaching, coaching, religious education mentoring, and raising three strong daughters. She taught in the Leicester School System and later at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley. Kathleen was very active in athletics, both in the school systems and in championing one of the first area girl’s soccer programs in the Town of Dudley. She served as director of Religious Education at St. Anthony of Padua in Dudley and Our Lady of Loreto in Worcester. Kathleen went on to work in the Chancery Building for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester as the Religious Education Coordinator. In addition, she worked for the Office of the Diaconate assisting with the formation program. Kathleen’s final position was as director of Religious Education at Christ the King Parish, Worcester, retiring in 2010.
An avid learner, Kathleen enjoyed reading and following current events. Ever active and social, Kathleen took pleasure in playing tennis with friends, walking, visiting the Spencer Abby, and attending countless sporting events. Kathleen always put others first.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her children: Maura Hackenson (Todd) of Charlton, Colleen Towle (Derek) of Hingham, Mass. Patricia Espinosa (Thomas) of Putnam; sister Margaret Shivick of Rochdale, Mass.; sister-in-law of Richard Cushing and his wife Helen of Oakham; nine adoring grandchildren: Reagan, Ryleigh and Rory Hackenson; Margaret, Madeline and Benjamin Towle; Thomas Jr., Bryce and Teagan Espinosa.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at Bartel funeral Home and Chapel on Schofield Avenue, Dudley. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley Hill Road, Dudley, with burial in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. Donations: St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, 20 Temple St., Worcester.
Gerald F. Sivret
DUDLEY — Gerald F. Sivret, 69, died Feb. 6, 2018, at his home.
He was born in Webster, son of the late Russell and Bernice (Raymond) Sivret, and lived in Dudley for the past 42 years, prior to that living in Webster. He was retired from Borggaard Construction in Grafton, Mass., where he was an operating engineer. He was a 50-year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #4.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Gail I. (McCarthy) Sivret; a son, Jerry Sivret (Kimberly) of Austin, Texas; two daughters Lisa Armstrong (Frank Evanski) of Oxford, Mass., Leah McDonald (Andy) of Oxford; grandchildren, Richard Renaud, Melissa Renaud, Robert St. Laurent (Ashley), Brittany Walsh (Shane), Jonathan McDonald and his fiancee Brittney and Sydney Kenner; great grandchildren, Landon, Tristan, Kylee and Jordyn; a brother Kenneth Sivret of Dudley; a sister Gayle Gaboury of Putnam .
A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 10 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley, with burial with military honors in St. Anthony Cemetery, Webster. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Jamin Lee Cusson
THOMPSON — Jamin Lee Cusson died Jan. 26, 2018.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Thompson Rod and Gun Club. Food will be served and memories of Jamin will be shared.
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TLGV offers
cleanup funds
The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is making funding available to nonprofits and municipalities and organizations that wish to organize a cleanup event.
In the last six years, 7,789 volunteers have collected 248,516 pounds of trash from parks, rivers, and roadways throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor thanks to the funding.
Recipients will be reimbursed up to $500 for expenses such as publicity, cleanup supplies such as trash bags and work gloves and food and refreshments for volunteers.
TLGV will also help publicize your event and work with you to recruit more volunteers.
To apply, submit a letter to TLGV, on your organization’s letterhead, at least four weeks before the proposed event. Applications should include:
* Basic details about your cleanup – what, when, where, and who – plus your contact information, including a phone number, street address, and email address.
* What you hope to accomplish.
* A budget detailing how you will use TLGV funds.
* Who will be picking up and disposing of the trash (we can’t cover that cost).
* How you will involve youth – the future stewards of The Last Green Valley.
* Describe how you will publicize not just the event, but the results.
* For nonprofit organizations, submit a copy of your 501(c) letter from the IRS.
TLGV reserves the right to approve or deny funds based upon the likelihood of project success and the availability of funds.
We will contact you within two weeks of your submission. If TLGV approves funding, you will need to sign a short agreement and you must promise to acknowledge TLGV’s funding in your publicity materials.
To help compile accomplishments, you must also complete and return the TLGV “Trash Tracker” forms after the cleanup. For more information, email LyAnn Graff or call her at 860-774-3300.