By Shawn Bates
PUTNAM — It’s that time a year again. Fall leads to winter and for the young student athletes of the Putnam High School and Putnam Middle School, it‘s time to lace up their sneakers and jump back onto the hardwood.
For the coaches this year at the high school they are playing an Independent schedule means one thing: Make the states and win as many games as they can for seeding in the CIAC state tournament. This year those tasks come down to the dedicated coaching staffs of the two high school programs for the men, lead by Shawn Deary, and for the ladies, Mandi Hogan. They are both well-established coaches in the northeast corner.
The men’s coaching staff includes assistant coaches Dennis Deary who serves as the JV coach and varsity assistant, and Dino Porcic, the freshman coach who will also be on the bench during the varsity games. All three coaches are Putnam alumni with Porcic a 1000+ scorer for the Clippers.
Coach Hogan’s staff is a bit smaller but comes to the Lady Clippers with some needed basketball pedigree. Coach Hogan Ashley Espinosa leads the JV program and will be on the bench with coach Hogan during varsity play. Espinosa is one of the former elite Lady Clippers who continued to play in college at Worcester State
For the men, the rosters shape up thusly:
Top losses: Senior center Austin Harmon, forward/center Lucas Basilio and the senior guard/Captain Zachary Cutler
Key returnees: Jr. point guard Sebastian Ramos, senior forward Connor Holloman, senior guard Scott Davagian, senior guard Aiden Ciquera, senior guard Mitchel Baryalski , junior forward /center Jeffrey Reed, junior pg/guard Hunter Touchette ,junior center Tyion Harris and junior guard Kobie Bates.
Season Outlook: This team can be fast at times. They transition the ball up the court well. They play that hard nosed Clipper defense that all the teams hate. Ramos runs the point and the tempo of the game. The question is can they get the inside scoring done with the loss of Basilio in the paint?
Tyion Harris and Jeffrey Reed have some big shoes to fill in the center position. Holloman can be a scoring leader and also, in a pinch, run the point. Touchette is another option at the point guard spot. Davagian, Baryalski and Ciquera are the wild cards — all three hustle and when hot can shoot lights out from the perimeter. Bates also isn’t afraid to throw the rock up from anywhere in back of the three-point line. With a deep bench in all positions it should be a coach’s dream to throw the supporting cast in when they are needed without losing a beat.
The schedule is not gravy. Putnam opted to secure games against opponents they will face next year in their return to the ECC conference which include Wheeler, Montville ,Griswold ,Tourtellotte, St.Bernards, Lyman and, of course, Killingly in the Clipper Classic . Also they will play the local tech teams and rival Parish Hill.
For the Lady Clippers:
Top Losses: Forward Maria Fredette, center Olivia Braithwaite, center Alyssa Frederick, guard Alyssa Espinosa.
Key returnees: Senior guard Ashley Burke, junior forward Lauren Blackmar , sophomore guard Haley Cutler, sophomore guard Jillian Grey and freshman guard Emma Braithwaite.
Newcomers: Freshman point guard Alex Hutchins, freshman guard Laylah Chavez, sophomore guard Molly Mckeon and freshman center Abby St. Martin
Season Outlook: What does Hogan do when you lose 5 out of 11 players on last year’s roster? Hopefully reload. The middle school team produced some talent and made a run in the QVJC tournament only to lose in the finals.
With one senior on the squad, leadership will be key for this young team. Last year they relied on their senior’s for their scoring. This year is considered a rebuilding year for the Lady Clippers but this task shouldn’t be an issue with the talented coaching staff. The bright spot of the year is that they started off on the right foot by performing well against Killingly and Bartlett (Mass.) in their first two scrimmages of the year, according to coach Hogan.
The schedule follows the same format as the men’s with local tech schools and Bartlett for fillers. All schedules can be found on the CIAC website at the following address: www.ciacsports.com
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy Gold prep basketball squad ascended to consensus No. 1 in the country after capturing the Trey Whitfield Invitational Championship at Brewster Academy last weekend.
The Centaurs defeated Thetford Academy, 110-103 in overtime, in the championship game Dec. 9.
The win was the 13th in a row for the Gold squad which took over the top spot in the 2nd2NoneBball poll after Massanutten Military, which was No. 1 in the 2nd2NoneBball poll, suffered its first loss of the season to Putnam Science Academy Prep in the Shirts-and-Skins Classic in Baltimore.
The Centaurs already owned the top spot in the Prep Circuit poll.
It was a battle for the Centaurs.
The Gold team was down seven points with 1 minute, 3 seconds to play but fought their way back and forced overtime on a 3-pointer by Chris Childs (18 points).
The Centaurs needed efforts like that of Childs as all five of their starters were held to single digits.
Ty Perry led five different players who came off the bench for Woodstock Academy and finished in double figures.
Perry scored 21 points.
Woodstock Academy advanced to the championship game with a 93-74 win over Mississauga Dec. 8.
Childs scored 18 points in the opener as well while Perry chipped in with 13.
Blue Splits
The Woodstock Academy Blue prep basketball team kept its head above the break-even mark with a win at the Pioneer Valley Tip Off tournament played at the University of Massachusetts Dec. 10.
The Blue team defeated Springfield Commonwealth Academy, 78-72, behind a double-double effort by Gedi Juozapaitis.
The native of London, England finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Danny Dade added 19 while E.J. Dambreville tossed in 11 and Alex Illic had 10.
The Centaurs (7-6) were coming off an 89-84 loss to Lawrence Academy on Friday which ended a two-game winning streak.
Dambreville paced the Blue squad in the loss with 17 points while Juozapaitis added 16.
Two other players, Illic (13 points) and Selim Fofana (10) were also in double figures.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
Wed. Dec. 13
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library’s Thompson Winter Student Art Showcase (Thompson Public School students) through Dec. 22. A reception will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 22 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present its Winter Art Show featuring local artists from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through mid-January at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Library Display
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present a Petrified Wood display through Dec. 30. Free.
Thur. Dec. 14
Senior Program
BROOKLYN --- Local senior citizens are invited to a program on questions/concerns about the state government or your benefits at 10:30 a.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Senior Center, 69 South Main St.
Fri. Dec. 15
‘Nutcracker’
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Center will present Michael Bolger’s Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, and 16 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Bradley Playhouse. $24 for adults; $21 for students and seniors. 860-928-7887.
Fish
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a fish dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Prices vary. 860-923-2967.
Sat. Dec. 16
Cookie Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of La Salette Church on Rt. 6 will hold its holiday cookie sale (sold by the pound) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church basement.
Wreaths Across America
POMFRET --- Wreaths Across America will hold a ceremony in Pomfret at noon at the Pomfret Town Green. All invited. The Vanilla Bean has offered refreshments immediately following the ceremony.
Wreaths Across America
PUTNAM --- Wreaths Across America will hold a ceremony at noon at Veterans Park on Bridge Street. All welcome.
Sun. Dec. 17
Concert
POMFRET --- The Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra will present its annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. at Pomfret School’s Clark Chapel. Admission is free; donations welcome. The orchestra welcomes new members. Rehearsals are held on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. in the Ashford Town Office Building. For more information, call 860-428-4633.
Acorn Adventure
KILLINGLY --- Ranger Jean Pillo is hosting The Last Green Valley's next Acorn Adventure, A Winter Stroll, Bike or Scoot along the Killingly River Trail from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Ranger Jean and the group will gather at 1 p.m. at the Killingly River Trail's parking and access area at the commuter lot across from St. James School on Rt. 12. Free. All welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult and helmets are required for anyone riding a bike or using a scooter. Sponsored by Putnam Bank. thelastgreenvalley.org.
Open House
WOODSTOCK --- The PAWS Cat Shelter open house will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on the corner of Butts Road and Rt. 171. Come see cats and kittens still waiting for their forever homes. Santa will be there. 860-317-1228.
Healing Service
PUTNAM --- A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Church. Prayer teams will be available to pray with individuals for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. The service will include praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. St. Philip’s Church is on Grove Street. 860-928-3510.
Live Nativity
S. WOODSTOCK --- The South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road will present its Live Nativity at 6 p.m. All welcome.
Mon. Dec. 18
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. 860-315-5175
Tues. Dec. 19
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Westfield Congregational Church on Main Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Thur. Dec. 21
Winter Solstice
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust at Lyon Preserve will present a Winter Solstice Gathering from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lyon Preserve, Wright’s Crossing Road. Light refreshments will be served, including marshmallows to roast on the fire!
Mon. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Thur. Dec. 28
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a monthly bird walk at 1 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company on Hartford Pike. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Fri. Dec. 29
Blood Drive
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thompson Community Center on Riverside Drive. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Sat. Dec. 30
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present an Owl Walk at 7 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 12:45 to 6 p.m. at Day Kimball Hospital. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Mon. Jan. 1, 2018
Happy New Year!
Mon. Jan. 8
Garden Club
S. WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will present “How to Grow Microgreens” at 7 p.m. at the S. Woodstock Baptist Church. Nonmembers are asked to make a $5 donation to attend this program. www.quietcornergardenclub.org
Sat. Feb. 3
Run/Walk
POMFRET CENTER --- The 4TH Annual February Freeze 5k Run/Walk family-friendly race will start at 1 p.m. at Parsons Lodge, Pomfret School, on Rt. 169. Snow date: Feb. 4. $25 per runner. Benefits the eighth grade Pomfret Community School Washington, D.C. trip. Register: lightboxreg.com/february_freeze_2018.
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RI donor
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family land
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E. KILLINGLY — The Wyndham Land Trust recently received a donation of 81 acres of forested land in East Killingly from Anna May Scanlon of Smithfield. The property will be known as the Edward R. Laby Preserve in honor of her late son, who hunted on the land.
The land has been in Anna May’s family since her father acquired it in the 1950s from Turnquist Lumber in Foster. Anna May knew she wanted to protect it from development, but she wasn’t sure how.
“The Wyndham Land Trust was the answer to my question,” she said. “I wanted to see it retained in its natural state. I didn’t want to sell it to just anybody, I wanted it to go to somebody who will preserve it. I’m the only one left in the family, and I’m glad to know that my wishes will be carried out.”
“I was greatly impressed by Mrs. Scanlon’s desire to see this large unfragmented forest preserved from the outset,” said land trust board member Steve Adams. “I walked the property this past summer and found it to be a beautiful and peaceful place in the eastern Killingly highlands adjacent to the Kentuck Ledges.
“A donation of this nature and magnitude is a win-win for all parties. The land trust is able to permanently preserve 81 acres of natural habitat, while the donor will receive a very nice tax benefit for years to come as a result of this generous charitable contribution.”
“The new preserve is part of a large forest interior extending east into Rhode Island and south into state forest,” said Land Manager Andy Rzeznikiewicz. “It’s a remote corner of Killingly, and Hermit Thrushes and Black-throated Green Warblers are two of the interesting, breeding forest birds known to inhabit this property.”
“We’re very grateful for the donation from Mrs. Scanlon,” said President Mike St. Lawrence. This year has been incredibly productive for the Wyndham Land Trust. We acquired property in Killingly, Thompson, Woodstock, and Eastford in 2017 and increased the acreage of protected land by over 700 acres— a 25 percent increase. The amount of activity is unprecedented in the 42-year history of the land trust, and we expect it to continue into 2018.”
The Wyndham Land Trust now owns a total of 2951 acres across 10 towns in northeastern Connecticut. The land trust can be reached by emailing