By Shawn Bates
Putnam Middle School
The Wolfpack boys traveled to Pomfret Dec. 18 to start off their regular season schedule with a close loss.
The game was tight until three minutes to go when Kyle Brennan hit a three- pointer to take the lead for the remainder of the game for a 31-40 loss to Eagles.
High scorers for the Wolfpack was Cooper Livingston 9 pts; and Karson Bates with 6 pts. For the Eagles Huck Flanigan lead all with 18 and Mabi Tsemo chipped in 9 pts
Dec. 21 the boys took to the road to play the defending QVJC Boys Champs from the last year. Ashford would jump out to a 13-11 advantage in the first but with strong play from Putnam‘s center Alonzo Henries putting in 11 of his team’s high 20 points, the Wolfpack took a 28-25 lead to end the first half. The second half of the game was much like the first Henries dominated in the middle and Cooper Livingston would add another 9 points to cement the lead for Putnam in the back and forth affair for a 50-47 win over Ashford.
The Lady Wolfpack played at home for their season opener Against the Lady Eagles, Putnam would jump out to a 10-point lead and wouldn’t look back for the 35-17 win to keep them perfect at home since their streak began last season. Elisha Clinkscale 11 pts and Sadie Bergeron 12 pts would lead the Ladies in the contest.
December 21 the Lady Wolfpack were at home again and posted another home victory, according to coach Jon Miller. The ladies, led by Sadie Bergeron's 18pts, went on to take the victory 48-28 against Ashford
Putnam High School
Dec. 18 the Clippers opened up their 2017-2018 season with a 62-35 win over Wheeler. The Clippers would came out on to the court with the typical hardnose defense that lead to a 33-7 lead after the first quarter and the Clippers did not look back  for the rest of the game. The Clippers were led by Sebastian Ramos’ team-high of 13 pts followed closely by Connor Holloman with 10 pts. Ten out of the 14 on the squad recorded points in the game for a well rounded performance on opening night.
Boys JV score: Putnam 83 Norwich Tech 23. High scorers:  Cole Davagian 11pts and Justin St. Martin 10.
High scorers Cole Davagian 11pts and Justin St. Martin 10
Dec. 20 the Clippers for their second  game of the season played Norwich Tech at home. Speaking to coach Deary Prior to the game this would be a test for their upcoming game against Parish Hill, who beat Tech earlier in the week. His game plan was to Press and Sub to keep the pressure up for the entire game. Needless to say coach Deary‘s plan of attack worked.   Putnam jumped out to a 12-7 in the first and expanded it to 31-21 by halftime. Sebastian Ramos would take over in the ending minutes of the first half scoring 18 of his team’s high 25 pts. Ramos hitting the third of his three-pointers to open up the third quarter and Putnam would cruise to a 81- 47 win .Lead scorers Connor Holloman would have 11 and Colby Livingston and Mitchel Barylski would chip in 10.
The Lady Clippers had an easy schedule last week leading up to the Clipper Classic with only one contest scheduled. The ladies made their way down Rt. 395 to play the Norwich Tech Ladies.
Ashley Espinosa would lead the Lady Clippers to her first varsity win. Coach Hogan had been sidelines with illness for the first time in her17-year coaching career.
The Clippers took the lead in the first quarter and were never contested for the remaining minutes of the game for a 58-11 win. Ashley Burke led Putnam with 19 points that puts the team at 2-1 heading into the Classic this week.

Aaron Johnson and Baran Ali Sagir had big second halves to lead The Woodstock Academy boys’ basketball team to a season-opening, 63-56, win over Plainfield Dec. 19.
Ali Sagir had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter when the Centaurs outscored the Panthers 23-16 to break a 40-40 tie at the end of three quarters.
Johnson scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half while Luke Mathewson added seven of his nine in the second half.
“We had more depth and the fast pace just wore down Plainfield,” said Woodstock Academy coach Aaron Patterson.
Chase Anderson chipped in with 10 points for the Centaurs.
Chris Peasley led Plainfield with 18 points including a pair of 3-pointers. The other big for the Panthers, Markeith Conyers, added 11 including a pair of 3’s.
Girls’ basketball
The Lady Centaurs won for the third time in four games, getting a so-so start, scoring 15 first-quarter points.
But things got better in the second quarter.
The Woodstock Academy reeled off 15 unanswered points to take the momentum and the Centaurs rolled to a 63-33 win Dec. 19 over the Panthers.
The Academy is now 3-1 on the season.
“We were hoping to get off to a great start this season. I feel like in the past we struggled a little bit to get out of the gates,” said Centaurs’ coach Will Fleeton.
Jamie Woods certainly has got out of the gates well.
The senior forward was in double digits for a fourth consecutive game as she finished with 18 points.
“We try to get it inside to her and (Heather) Converse a lot. They probably get more touches than most so she gets a lot of opportunities and (Dec. 19), she took full advantage of them,” Fleeton said.
Aislin Tracey was also in double figures for a first time this season. She finished with 11.
“She was a big stopper on the defensive end like normal. She guarded a few different players and really put the pressure on and then on the offensive end, she had some bright spots. It was a very good game for Aislin Tracey,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs also played well defensively, holding down Plainfield center Madison Kelley who had eclipsed 20 points in her first two games, to single-digit scoring.
Kaylee Brown and Chloe LaPierre each had eight to lead the Panthers.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director

Melvin Davis,
Army vet
BROOKLYN — Melvin Thomas Davis, 67, of Brooklyn, died Dec. 19, 2017, suddenly at home. Born Nov. 6, 1950 ,in Shelton, he was the son of the late Eugene and Irma (Gambincini) Davis. He was the husband of Jane A. Davis.
Melvin was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Knights of Columbus. Melvin loved to cook with his son Andrew and to read.
 He was in the U.S. Army and served in Desert Storm in the Army ROTC.
He received his bachelor’s in history from George Washington University. Melvin worked as a postmaster for more than 40 years.
Besides his wife Jane, Melvin leaves a son Andrew Richard Mario Davis of Brooklyn; brother-in-law George; sister-in-law Rose; nieces and cousins.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 27 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial at a later date. Donations: St. James Church. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Walter Euskavech,
veteran
PUTNAM —Walter William Euskavech (Euskas), 91, of Putnam, died Dec. 13, 2017, at home. 
Walter, one of nine children, was born in E. Windsor to the late Leonard and Mary (Rogalis) Euskavech and lived in Putnam for 35 years.
He held various jobs but his favorite was working and volunteering his time at the DDS North Regional Horticulture Program from 1988 until his death.  Walter was a proud graduate of the UConn Master Gardener Program in 2009.  Walter also enjoyed gardening, hiking, picking wild mushrooms, wildlife and nature and going to the local library where he spent many hours reading.  He was a staunch supporter of vegetarian life which was his lifestyle and encouraged others to do the same.
He served in the Armed Forces from 1952  until 1956 serving overseas and was honorably discharged from Camp Edwards, Mass., in 1956.
He leaves  two sisters, Leona Sawka and Frances Wonsik, both of Windsor; and a brother, Anthony Euskavech, of Pittsburgh; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the Horticulture Program, Camp Quinebaug, 54 Taos Dr., Danielson at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9.  Donations may be made to the Putnam Public Library, 225 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260.

David Mahon,
Air Force vet
BROOKLYN — David Paul Mahon, 78, of Brooklyn, died Dec. 19, 2017, at home.
He was the husband of Cecile (Chabot) Mahon. They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He had three children Paul, Marie and David.
He was born on Aug. 29, 1939, in Danielson, son of the late John “Jack” and Alice (Gebo) Mahon of Danielson.
David was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retried from The Connecticut State Police in 1989 and from the U.S. Postal Service (carrier) in 2014. He loved to golf and was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. 
He leaves his daughter Marie Williams (Joel) of Middleton, Mass.; son David Mahon and Melissa Choquette of Danielson; his sister and brother in-law Jackie and Ron Battista of Brooklyn; his brother Ed Mahon (Nancy) of Las Vegas; sister Shirley Gauthier of Dayville. David was predeceased by his son Paul Mahon, brothers Richard, Daniel and James.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. Donations: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and NECCOG Animal Shelter. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Donna Provencher
DAYVILLE — Donna Mae (Stedman) Provencher of Dayville, died Dec. 18, 2017, at home. Donna married Bruce J. Provencher on Aug. 3, 1979.
She was the daughter of Muriel (Dumas) Stedman and Philip Stedman, born Sept. 26, 1958, in Willimantic.
Donna graduated from Killingly High School in 1976 and shortly after began working for the G. A. MacDonald Insurance Agency.  She was employed there for more than 40 years, remaining passionate and excited about her work right up until her final days.
Donna’s greatest legacy is her love that she leaves for her family. Her entire adult life was spent giving far more than she received.
Donna loved to travel and completed her number one bucket list item by visiting all 50 states. 
Besides her parents and husband she leaves her sons Brad J Provencher (Therese) of Boonsboro, Md., Kyle J Provencher (Jenelle) of Dayville;  six grandchildren (“Grammy’s Groupies”): Grace (15), Mason (7), Kegan (5), Aria (3), Asher (1), and Kinley (1); a brother, Bruce Stedman of Westbrook.  She was predeceased by a brother Kevin Stedman. 
A Celebration of Life was Dec. 22 at the Danielson United Methodist Church. Donations: Any cancer fighting program of your choice.  Donna’s two favorites were St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas P., Memphis, TN 38105; and Women and Infants Infusion Center, 101 Dudley St., Providence, RI 02905. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. 

Geraldine Collins
DANIELSON — Geraldine J. (Bruce) Collins, 99, died Dec. 18, 2017, at home.  She was the wife of the late George Collins who died in 2001.
She was born in Pennsgrove, N.J., daughter of the late Samuel and Edith (Smith) Bruce and living in Sarasota, Storrs, CT and most recent Danielson.
She was a LPN working in hospitals and health care facilities.  She enjoyed crafting.
She leaves two daughters, Sandra J. Collins of Moosup and Reba Collins of Ocala, Fla.; a son John Collins of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

G. Marshalkowski
THOMPSON/WEBSTER — Genevieve (Jean) (Ostrowski) Marshalkowski, 81, died Dec. 20, 2017, at Westside Care Center, Manchester.
She was the wife of the late Robert S. Marshalkowski Sr. who died in 2016.
She was born in Mayfield, Penn., daughter of the late Stanley and Pauline (Bilski) Ostrowski and lived in Webster most of her life.  She was formerly employed at Gentex in Dudley.  She was a avid card player.
She leaves her son Robert S. Marshalkowski Jr. (Pamela); her grandson Benjamin (Ceceila) of Wethersfield;  and great-grandson Leo; a brother John Ostrowski and Alice Markiewicz, both of Webster. She was predeceased by her daughter, MaryAnn Marshalkowski. 
The Mass of Christian burial was Dec. 23 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, Veterans Way, Webster, MA 01570. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

.