Winter Scenes

Oak leaves were trapped in the ice before the thaw hit. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

caption, page 7:

 

 

Ribbon is Cut

Betty Hale, (hot pink jacket), and her son, Laurence Hale, to her left, cut the ribbon to the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center Feb. 27. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

Community

welcomes

Hale Y

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- The community that came together and contributed for nearly a decade came together Feb. 27 and celebrated the grand opening of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center.

YMCA of Greater Hartford President and CEO Harold Sparrow keyed in on that community spirit. From donations from the Newell D. Hale Foundation to state grants to the dollars contributed by local community members, an entire community made the long-held dream of the Hale family a reality.

Starting in November 2007 the journey began in search of a partner to make Newell and Betty Hale's vision of a place for families and residents of all ages to come to stay healthy. A Capital Campaign kicked off in 2010, headed by Woody and Sylvia Danenhower. Jim and Pat Calhoun were named honorary co-chairpersons. The foundation pledged the first major capital gift of $3 million in 2010. In addition Senator Don Williams secured a $3.745 million Economic Development Grant from the state.

In 2011 Putnam residents OK'd a referendum to accept the gift of a 64-acre parcel of land from Wheelabrator Corporation. The Hale YMCA sits on 15 acres in that technology park. 

In 2013 the YMCA created a local Board of Advisors with Laurence Hale as chairman. Also in 2013 the YMCA of Greater Hartford secured its share of the project funding, totaling $4 million.

In 2014 the construction costs of $14.6 million was established and the plans for the 46,000-square foot facility included: two swimming pools, a gymnasium (now named after Jim Calhoun), Health and Wellness Center, Child Watch Center, Teen Center, a multi-purpose community room, locker rooms, sauna and steam room and walking track. 

Ronald P. Coderre, the Capital Campaign counsel, kicked off the ribbon cutting for the new facility. He noted the community is raising the curtain on the facility and said he is proud to say that the majority of staff is from this region. "This is a promise of jobs for our region."

"One might think of this as 'swim and gym,' but this is like the community green. The parameters are great and boundless."

Betty Hale and her son Laurence Hale cut the ribbon. Speeches followed in the Calhoun gym and there were self-guided tours for the rest of the day. The Hale YMCA opened officially for business Feb. 29. 

Amanda Kelly of Sterling is the executive director of the Hale YMCA.

 

Boys’ Wrap-up

Tournament

time creeping 

up on boy’s

hoops

By Ron P. Coderre

The fortunate few of high school and prep school basketball teams are preparing for postseason action, while the remainder are packing up the gear and storing it away for next season.

Putnam Science, which appears to be peaking as it eyes the National Prep School Tournament, enjoyed a big week, posting four impressive victories.  Pomfret School won its only game of the week, while Marianapolis continued its downfall losing two contests.

Putnam and Plainfield were the only two high schools to record wins in the closing week of regular season play.  Woodstock Academy, Killingly, Tourtellotte and Ellis Tech all had losing weeks without a win.  The foursome must now look forward to next season as Plainfield and Putnam prepare for CIAC Tournament First Round contests.

PSA Mustangs Running 

on High Octane

Putnam Science Academy, like a finely tuned engine cruising on high octane, is clicking on all cylinders.  And it couldn’t happen at a better time of the season.  As the National Prep Tournament is on the horizon next week, the Mustangs posted four impressive wins in preparation for postseason action.

The Mustangs opened with a huge 117-78 victory over Our Savior Lutheran of the Bronx, New York.  Seven players hit double figures in the high scoring rampage led by the duo of Mamadou Diarra with 18 points and Hamidou Diallo with 15.  Others in double digits were Jaheam Cornwall (10), Saul Phiri (12), Eric Ayala (12), Sean Delaney (12) and Kevin Smith (12).

Coastal Academy of New Jersey rolled into town next and gave the Mustangs a run for their money before falling 109-93.  At halftime the Mustangs held a slim 52-51 lead but coach Tom Espinosa tweaked the defense, holding coastal Academy to 42 second-half points.

Diallo carried the Mustangs to the victory with a sparkling 38-point performance.  With Diarra limited by four personal fouls and Tyere Marshall down with a knee injury, Diallo took his mates on his shoulders and led them to the Promised Land.  Ayala was also key to the victory, as he was the catalyst in the win with 20 points from a variety of angles and sets.  Other double digit scorers were Cornwall (16), Phiri (13) and Diarra (13).

The Maple Street gang continued its assault on the week with a 93-64 win over Navy Prep in a game played in Newport, Rhode Island.  Phiri with six long range bombs from beyond the arc paced the Mustangs offense with 25 points.  Others in double figures were Diallo (16), Diarra (12), Ayala (10), and Tyreek Perkins (11).

As the Mustangs head to the Northeast Regional Prep Tournament they are 34-3 following a hair raising 75-74 win over an excellent Commonwealth Academy team in a game played in Springfield.  The game was knotted 74-74, when Ayala was fouled driving to the bucket with 2.9 ticks remaining on the clock.  Ayala sank one of two free throws, which proved to be the margin of victory.  Diallo was once again the team’s high scorer with 20 points.  Diarra turned in a sterling performance on both ends of the floor with 16 points and a dozen rebounds.

Pomfret won its only game of the week a 70-55 victory over Berkshire School.  Gerald Blount paced the win with a double-double, scoring 21 points and corralling 11 rebounds.  The Golden Griffins are 15-6 on the season.

Marianapolis opened its week with a 67-57 loss at the hands of Suffield Academy.  In its other game Marianapolis was upended by Beaver Country Day School 89-55 despite 16 points from Joe Del Ricci and 11 from Dominique Senat.  The Golden Knights are 5-18 on the year.

Hyde School-Woodstock raised its record to 13-11 with a 78-63 victory over the Wheeler School of Rhode Island.

Putnam & Plainfield Headed to CIAC Tourney

Putnam opened its week with a convincing 79-63 win over Windham Tech.  Dan Porcic with 26 points and Brevon Harmon with 17 carried the load for the Clippers who pulled out to a 44-24 halftime advantage and never looked back.

In a CSC contest at Cheney Tech the Clipper ship went down 73-58 after allowing a 34-30 lead at intermission slip through their fingers.  Porcic, who’s been lights out of late, had 30 and Harmon 11 for coach Sean Deary.

Putnam closed out the week with a satisfying win over East Granby 71-52.  The Clippers put four players in double digits led by Porcic with 22.  Harmon and Jeremee Perez each added 12 points, while Zach Evans had 11 for the 9-9 Clippers.

Plainfield opened its week with a 55-49 win over Montville as Dylan Horn (18) and Liam Jacobs (15) combined for 33 of the Panthers points.  Coach Bob Arremony’s team then lost 45-34 to New London in a First Round contest in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Tournament.  The Panthers led 27-26 after three period but succumbed to the Whalers pressure defense.  Plainfield is 11-9 entering the CIAC postseason.

Woodstock was eliminated from postseason play by East Lyme when the Vikings rolled past the Centaurs 54-44.  Bryce Jarrett with 14 point was the lone Woodstock player in double figures.  The Centaurs in coach Aaron Patterson’s first season finish 5-15 and 0-10 in the ECC Large.

Killingly closed out its season at 7-13 when it lost 55-45 to New London in the Whaling City.  Freshman Luke Desaulnier (14), Brendan Turner (11) and Chace Wood (10) were in double figures.

Tourtellotte finished its season with a 71-46 loss at the hands of the Lyman Bulldogs.  The 5-15 Tigers placed Troy Morin (11) and Jackson Padula (10) in double figures.  Ellis Tech was beaten 83-45 by Cheney Tech in its season finale.  The Golden Eagles Trent Raymond led the team as he has all season with 17 points.  The Techsters end their season at 0-20.

 

..