PUTNAM — Last year was the first year that Putnam Science Academy featured a boys’ varsity team. The varsity team was highly successful as they went 27-8 under the guidance of former Mustang player, Travis Godley. The team featured multiple division 2 and 3 players. With most of the team gone due to graduation, the need to restock was extremely necessary.
This year’s team will have a lot different look, from last year, as last yea’rs team was primarily made up of postgraduates and this year’s team will have more of a balance between postgraduates and underclassmen.
The lone returnee from last year’s varsity team is Stephan Jean, a postgraduate forward from New York. Jean returns for his second year after transferring in to Putnam Science Academy last year. Jean is known for his rebounding, constant energy and will be looked upon to lead his younger teammates.
At the guard position, one of the primary scoring options will be Danny Ampofo, a post grad from New Haven. The Mustangs have had great success recruiting from the state of Connecticut and hope Ampofo will continue that trend.
Continuing the trend of recruiting Connecticut the Mustangs roster will also feature Seth Thomas a true senior from Norwich. The 6-foot, 4-inch multidimensional player will be featured on the wing and play the forward spot at times.
The third Connecticut player featured on the roster is a 6-5 bruising forward in the class of 2019, Luc Bretton. Bretton is considered one of the hardest workers in the program because of his willingness to mix it up and rebound on both ends. His lunch pail attitude will be a welcome addition to the Mustangs.
Teaming up with Stephan Jean and Luc Bretton, in the front court, is Ibrahim Sylla a 6-8 postgrad from Philadelphia. Sylla has the ability to play both forward positions and score the ball in a variety of ways. He can play on the inside and has also shown the ability to step out to the three-point line. He looks to continue the trend of successes from the Philadelphia area as last year’s team featured Lapri McCray-Pace who is a current freshman at Morgan State.
Once again this year, the roster will feature a student/athlete from Rhode Island as Madison McCall from Rogers High School will be doing a post grad year. McCall, a 6-0 combo guard will give the Mustangs another option in the backcourt. His versatility will allow the coach to play him at both positions this year.
Also in the backcourt with Ampofo will be a couple of youngsters as the Mustangs secured commitments from Jaiden Rivera and Alpha Diallo. Rivera, a southpaw from California, is known for his smooth shooting stroke while Diallo the younger brother of former PSA star Hamidou Diallo, is known for his ability to run the point guard position and make his teammates better. Both Rivera and Diallo are sophomores and will be relied on heavily to immediately contribute.
The Mustangs roster will also have an international flair to the roster as it features Cobie Holman from France and Sergi Estany from Spain. Both Holman and Estany will be counted on in the backcourt this upcoming season. Holman is known for his ability to score while Estany is a pure point guard who has a flair like Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This year’s team will be looking to build off the foundation set by last year’s team. Coach Godley understands this will be more of a learning process due to the inexperience, but is extremely excited to get to work.
Reading Initiative
In collaboration with the Putnam American Legion Post 13, Putnam Elementary School has begun a literacy initiative focusing on reading in second grade. For the next eight weeks, local members of the American Legion Post will be sharing reading to groups of Grade 2 students. The program is designed to build on students’ reading skills and also for the students to see the benefits and strengths of community members helping others. Veterans: Cosmo Quercia, Alan Joslin, Barbara Smith, Roger Franklin, Marc Coderre, and Ron Coderre. Students, left to right: Jackson St. Hilaire, Alivia Ortiz, Nyla Magalhaes, Thomas Espinosa, Michael Thomas, Kayla Troiano, Cameron Blanchard, Gabriella Sargent, Laura Coderre, Devin LeBeau, Gavin Weiker, Theresa Coomey, Bailey Champagne, Logan Walker, Colin Gendron, Maya Danburg. Superintendent William Hull said, “It is wonderful to have our great veterans work with our great students.” Courtesy photo.
DANIELSON — Quinebaug Valley Community College will celebrate Veterans Day Nov. 10 with an afternoon ceremony, the dedication of new bricks in the Veterans’ Garden, and the opening of the Veterans’ Connection Photo Exhibit. In addition, Vietnam Veteran lapel pins and Wartime Service Medals will be presented to local veterans. Representative Joe Courtney and State Senator Mae Flexer will be among the speakers.
The 2 p.m. ceremony will include the dedication of 83 new bricks in the Veterans Garden walkway, each of which honors a veteran. More than 400 bricks already lie in the garden, which was created in 2010 with the goal of having a place where local veterans could be honored and remembered. In addition, the winner of the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse Veterans Day Essay Contest will read his or her winning essay.
Also the Veterans’ Connection Photo Exhibit will open in the college’s Spirol Gallery. The very personal photo exhibit, which also includes memorabilia, honors veterans from the QVCC community. Conceived three years ago as a way to recognize and honor military service, each year new photos are added to the exhibit. The opening reception will be held in the gallery immediately following the ceremony. The exhibit runs through Nov. 30. All Veterans’ Day events are open to the public. For additional information, contact Andy Morrison at 860-932-4360.
Woodstock public schools
Monday: Cheeseburgers, baked beans, fruit. Tuesday: Meatball grinders, celery sticks, fruit. Wednesday: Popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, fruit. Thursday: Roast turkey, butternut squash, stuffing, cranberry, fruit. Friday: Pizza, spinach salad, fruit.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday - Breakfast for Lunch: French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, hash browns. Tuesday: Spaghetti, meatballs, broccoli. Wednesday: Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, cheddar Goldfish crackers, carrots with hummus. Thursday - Thanksgiving feast: Roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, special cookies. Friday: Homemade calzones, salad.
Putnam High
Monday: Caprese grilled chicken panini or spicy chicken sandwiches. Tuesday: Italian spaghetti and meatball dinners or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday: Clipper Burgers or buffalo chicken wraps. Thursday -- Thanksgiving Feast: Roast turkey , gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, corn, cranberry sauce, warm fruit crisp or chef salad. Friday: French bread pizza or fish sandwiches.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Pizza sticks, marinara sauce, cucumber wheels with ranch dip. Tuesday: Chicken taco salad, black beans. Wednesday - Brunch for Lunch: French toast sticks, turkey sausages, tater tots and grape tomatoes. Thursday: Chicken tenders, brown rice, broccoli, Friday: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad.