Mustangs
roll past
Woodstock
PUTNAM — In a balanced team effort Dec. 18, the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs were able to bounce back from their most recent loss with a 90-63 win over The Master’s School. After building a 22 point halftime lead the Mustangs were able to maintain and grow that lead into a convincing win.
In the win the Mustangs were led by Cam Gooden as he recorded a game-high 21 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and added 5 rebounds. Gooden was all over the court as he knocked down two three-point shots and had an impressive put-back dunk in the second half.
Osun Osunniyi continues to improve for the Mustangs as he recorded a double double scoring 14 points and bringing down 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.
The three sophomores playing for the Mustangs also contributed nicely off the bench. Kareem Reid had 11 points, Demarr Langford Jr. had 9 points and Hassan Diarra chipped in with 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

PSA 94
Woodstock Academy 60
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — In a highly anticipated game between two schools that are less than 10 minutes apart the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs (13-3) sent a message to all of prep school basketball with a resounding 90-64 win over previously undefeated Woodstock Academy.
In the first game ever between the two schools the Mustangs and Centaurs took the court at Western New England University in the primetime game of the BasketBull showcase tournament.
The Mustangs came out hot to start the game as Akok Akok (18 points and 8 rebounds) hit a corner three pointer and Osun Osunniyi (8 points and 4 rebounds) slammed home a dunk on a fast break. The Mustangs built up a 12-point halftime lead.
In the second half the Mustang train wasn’t letting up as they came out with the same intensity as the first half and continued to build on their lead. Jose Perez had a game-high 23 points as he shot 8-15 from the field. Kyle Lofton sustained the Mustang offense scoring 22 points in a variety of ways and dishing out 9 assists.
While the offense accounted for 94 points, the defense was key for the Mustangs as they held the Centaurs to 27 percent shooting from the field.

PSA 75
Montverde (Fla.) 62
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Mustangs were back in action at the BasketBull HoopsFest Dec. 21 as they faced off against top 10 team Montverde Academy. The Mustangs came away victorious 75-62 behind a total team effort.
From the start the Mustang squad led and had control of the game. Jose Perez once again led the Mustangs with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Akok Akok was right behind him as he scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds.
Kyle Lofton had a big game with 11 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds and Cam Gooden chipped in with 11 points for PSA.
The Mustangs two victories over the last 2 days improved their overall record to 14-3 at the holiday break.

Other than being the successful businessman that we all know so well, Matt’s tireless efforts and the financial support of Gerardi Insurance have made an incredible impact on the communities of Northeastern CT.  Matt and his company are consistently there to lend a hand, make a donation, and support organizations in the communities that the Chamber represents.
Just some of the organization on which he has served in a significant capacity are:  The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce where he is currently in his second term as a Director, has served as a the Chamber’s President, and continues to be Co-Chair of the Chamber’s annual Golf Tournament fund-raiser; president of the Putnam Business Association; director and former President of Westcott Wilcox Elderly Residential Housing; director of the QVCC Foundation; a committee member of the Killingly Holiday Lights Parade; co-chair of the St. James Golf Tournament; corporator of Day Kimball Healthcare; corporator of Jewett City Savings Bank
Matt’s commitment to charitable non-profits and other community organizations is outstanding.  He provides professional support with wisdom, hard work, ideas and dedication. Matt is a quiet supporter who just steps up to the plate and continues to give and give without ever looking for a pat on the back.  
In addition to the numerous positions that Matt has held in many community organizations, Matt’s business, Gerardi Insurance, consistently sponsors charitable causes and their events on an on-going basis.  You rarely see an event for a good cause taking place where you don’t see Gerardi Insurance as one of the major sponsors.   Just a partial list of some of the charitable causes that Matt and his business have sponsored include: Killingly High School Project Safe Graduation, Putnam Rotary Fraternal Order of Police Scholarship, Day Kimball Healthcare Golf Classic, St. James School (in multiple ways including serving as Chairman of their Golf Tournament), The Arc Quinebaug Valley, Inc., The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation, The Ryan Doyle Memorial Scholarship, The Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund, a past president and director of Westcott-Wilcox Elderly Residential Housing Inc. and their annual capital improvement campaign.
Matt is a shining star, but in the most modest way possible, in the way that he gives back to the northeastern Connecticut community.

The Chamber’s newest award is presented to an individual, couple or organization that has made a substantive yet unrecognized contribution to our community. The award recognizes recipient(s) who have influenced our community from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in a variety of capacities, and a commitment to excellence.
The first recipients of the Community Champion Award are Elaine and Keith Knowlton of Brooklyn.
The Knowltons received numerous letters of endorsement that accompanied their nomination for this award that all rang with a common theme in that their tireless efforts and their financial generosity to numerous organizations are truly incredible.  One endorsement noted that the Knowltons “are the most humble, selfless, caring, and generous people” that the writer has ever had the opportunity to know.
The Knowltons are well known for their many years of tireless efforts on behalf of the Brooklyn Historical Society and the Brooklyn Museum to promote the history of Brooklyn in northeastern CT.  They have also been members of the Last Green Valley for more than a decade and have been credited with bringing history to life in The Last Green Valley.  The Knowltons have also been dedicated and very supportive donors of Old Sturbridge Village for a number of years.  They attend many Village programs and events and have been the sponsors of an Annual Fund Challenge where they match dollar for dollar funds raised to support field trips for students from Connecticut to tour Old Sturbridge Village. Their inspiration and generosity has raised almost $100,000 in sponsorship dollars and brought thousands of Connecticut students to the Village.  This year, their support had even more of an impact in that they sponsored free admission to the Village for Connecticut residents on Saturdays this past November.  On November 13th when the letter in support of the Knowltons was written, more than 1,000 Connecticut residents had already visited the museum, thanks to the generosity of Elaine and Keith Knowlton.  The Knowltons have been described as “the most down to earth and easy going people you would ever want to meet …and are people who are clearly committed to celebrating and preserving the history of Connecticut and New England.”
In addition, the Knowltons have been significant financial supporters of the Cancer Crusade, an organization that is very important to the local Oncology efforts at Day Kimball Healthcare. One nominator wrote “it is best to summed up with, Keith and Elaine exemplify all of the qualities of excellent citizenship and civic generosity.”
Business Leader of The Year Award - An award presented to an individual for outstanding business leadership, creative or innovative approaches to success and active participation in community organizations.  The Committee’s selection is Matt Desaulnier, president of Gerardi Insurance of Putnam