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The Putnam Science Academy team. Courtesy photo.

 

 

After a 34-7 campaign that featured a National Prep Championship run to the Final Four, Head Coach Tom Espinosa was tasked with replacing a group of key contributors who have moved onto college.

The only returnee for Espinosa is ESPN 60 forward Akok Akok from Manchester, N.H. With the need to replace all five starters and multiple key contributors off the bench, Espinosa and his coaching staff hit the recruiting trail.

In the world of prep school basketball, trying to find forwards and big men can be a tough task. With that in mind, the staff focused on finding a center who could play alongside Akok. They were able to do so as they landed Osun Osunniyi, a 6-foot, 10-inch shot blocking big from New Jersey. Osunniyi will be completing a postgraduate year before heading onto La Salle University in Philadelphia.

With a quality big man in the fold, Espinosa turned his attention to the guard position. The Mustangs lost all three starting guards last season and were looking to load back up as guards have the ability to control the game at the prep school level. The Mustangs were able to secure commitments from 6-5 Jose Perez from the Bronx, N.Y., and 6-foot Cam Gooden from Texas. This will be the first time that a student/athlete from Texas will don the Mustang colors. Perez will look to continue the trend of success stories from New York following notable alums Hamidou Diallo, Mamadou Diarra and Dayshon Smith.

The coaching staff continued to deepen the team by adding postgraduate Nick Brennan who would come to the quiet corner of Connecticut after a storied career at Iona Prep. Brennan, known for his 3-point shooting ability, is expected to contribute instant offense.

Next, the Mustangs turned their attention to securing a dynamic wing that could not only shoot the three-point shot, but one who has the ability to finish at the rim. They were able to find that in Jonathan Kabongo, a senior who was previously at Huntington Prep. Kabongo, the younger brother of professional basketball player and former Texas University star Myck Kabongo, comes from a basketball background. Standing at 6-3, Kabongo possesses the size and skill to play both point guard and the off guard position. Kabongo is being recruited by multiple high major schools such as Virginia Tech, Clemson, and New Mexico.

Lacking a true point guard though, the Mustangs continued on the hunt and found a “diamond in the rough” at the Providence Jam Fest, a local AAU tournament run by the Hoop Group. Watching The Firm AAU program out of New Jersey, they became enamored with the effortless control of the game that Kyle Lofton possessed. Heading into the summer Lofton had zero Division 1 scholarship offers, but now holds offers from Manhattan and UMass along with interest from various other schools.

The coaching staff hit the midwest area again later in the summer, securing a commitment from Caleb Nero, a 6-2 point guard from Oklahoma. Nero was originally committed to UW-Milwaukee, but after a coaching change Nero decided to look elsewhere. With it being late in the recruiting process Nero ultimately decided to come to PSA and go through the full recruiting process. He is expected to be a major contributor.

The roster will also have a local standout as Dan Porcic will suit up for the Prep team this year after playing last season on the Varsity team. Porcic standing at 6-4 is known for his ability to space the floor. Porcic has made quite a jump from last year where he averaged 10 points a game on the varsity team. Porcic, considered a gym rat by the coaching staff, is seeing his hard work pay off.

Alex Morrow, a postgraduate 6-3 swingman, will add toughness and another player who can make shots. A standout high school player in Maryland, Morrow loves scoring from behind the arc and the midrange. Espinosa has always been a coach who loves to have shooters and this year is no different.

With two legit big men in the fold with Akok and Osunniyi, Espinosa wanted to add another experienced big to deepen the group. The Mustangs then secured the commitment of Josh Mballa originally from France. Mballa will be the second Mustang to hail from France as last year’s squad featured Alexis Yetna. Mballa has a similar game to Yetna as both are athletic and ferocious rebounders.

This year’s Mustangs squad will also feature a group of highly touted youngsters in the class of 2020. Hassan Diarra, the younger brother of Mamadou Diarra and 6-8 Kareem Reid. Both Diarra and Reid come into Putnam Science holding multiple Division 1 offers. The third member of the class is Demarr Langford Jr., who is the younger brother of current Providence College freshman Makai Ashton-Langford. Langford a 6-4 wing has a powerful frame and the ability to knock down the jump shot. The last in the group is Anthony Thomas, a 6-6 guard from Baltimore. Thomas, a skilled offensive player has the ability to finish with both hands around the rim.

With a mix of several determined postgraduates who have something to prove as well as a group of talented underclassmen, Espinosa believes this team has the ability to make some serious noise on the prep school circuit.

 

WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy volleyball team advanced to Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I tournament semifinals with a 3-0 win over Ledyard.

The beat goes on for The Woodstock Academy volleyball squad.

The Centaurs advanced to the ECC Division I tournament semifinals with a 3-0 win over Ledyard Oct. 27.

The victory was the 14th in a row for the Centaurs (17-3) and ninth straight by shutout.

The sixth-seeded Colonels (8-13) didn’t offer much resistance as the Centaurs prevailed 25-9, 25-14 and 25-6 in the three games.

Caroline Eaton had 11 kills for the Centaurs while Natalie Low added 15 digs and 23 service points.

 Woodstock 3

Avon 0

The streaks continued for the Centaurs on the road.

Woodstock Academy won its 13th straight match and ninth straight by shutout to finish the regular season with a 16-3 record.

Paula Hernandez had 16 kills and 11 digs for the Centaurs while Maddy Gronski added 14 digs and Caroline Eaton had eight kills and 14 service points. Avon fell to 14-5 on the season.

Field Hockey

The Woodstock Academy field hockey team thought it had made a little history Oct. 26.

It turns out, there is still a scenario where the Centaurs may not make the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament.

The Centaurs thought they had qualified for the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament with a 4-0 win over Norwich Free Academy on Thursday combined with a 5-0 Stonington win over Fitch Ledyard.

However, should Fitch/Ledyard defeat Waterford Oct. 28 it would send the three teams into a three-way tie and Woodstock loses out in that scenario as it split with Fitch/Ledyard, but lost twice to Waterford. The Falcons would have split with both teams and would earn the fourth and final berth.

Samantha Mowry scored her second and third goals of the season to account for half of the Centaurs tallies against NFA Oct. 26.

Haley Armstrong also scored and added an assist while sophomore Lily Brin scored her first career varsity goal. Avery Jones and Clara Siegmund added assists to help hand the Wildcats (0-14, 0-11) the loss.

While the Centaurs await the outcome of the Waterford-Fitch/Ledyard game, they also  need to win or tie one of their last two games to qualify for the state tournament.

Woodstock 2

Killingly 0

The Centaurs kept their hopes for their first-ever Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament appearance and a state tournament berth alive with the win, last week.

Haley Armstrong scored off an assist by Avery Jones just 8 minutes, 11 seconds into the match to give The Academy (5-8, 5-6 ECC) the early lead. Emma Durand added the insurance goal off a Natalie Crose feed with 1:06 to play.

The Redgals (4-11, 4-8) had eight corners, six in the second half, but failed to capitalize.  

Soccer

Woodstock 2

E. Lyme 3

Senior Makara Sorel remembers going to the ECC championship game where The Woodstock Academy lost to East Lyme 3-2 in penalty kicks. 

She was in eighth grade. It was the last time the Centaurs advanced to the league title match.

One more win and The Academy will finally return.

The third-seeded Centaurs advanced to an ECC semifinal with a 3-0 win over No. 11 Fitch on the South 

Campus turf Oct. 27.

 “We want this so bad,” Sorel said. “This is my senior year and I know myself and the other seniors are dying to win the ECC  championship.”

Sorel helped keep the dream alive.

She put the Centaurs (14-4) up by a goal with 15 minutes, 46 seconds left when she finished for the Centaurs off a pair of passes.

Ivy Gelhaus had the ball in the middle of the penalty area and saw Aislin Tracey to her left. She made the pass and Tracey directed it to the far corner. Before it got there, Sorel got her foot on it and slipped it into the net for her seventh goal of the season.

Sorel got her eighth and gave the Centaurs a little breathing room with 12:42 left to play.

“Ivy saw my run and I just beat the defenders and tried to place the ball,” Sorel said.

It hit Falcons’ keeper Francesca Foster, but squirted past and found the net. Sorel almost had the hat trick. One of her corners hit the cross bar and bounded out rather than in.

“She’s always there. Two good chances, three shots, two goals, she earned her paycheck (Friday),” said coach Dennis Snelling.

Gelhaus finished things off with her seventh goal of the season.

“It seems like we’re in the semifinals every year. We just need to go a little further. We’re playing well. We’re on a streak of four shutouts and we’re looking forward to playing Bacon again,” Snelling said.

The Centaurs and Bobcats have split their two meetings this season, each winning 1-0 on their home field.

Woodstock 5

Lyman 0

It never hurts when a soccer team has some strong feet.

The third-seeded Woodstock Academy girls’ soccer team showed them off Oct. 25 in their 5-0 win over No. 14 Lyman Memorial in an Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament play-in match on the South Campus field.

“We’ve got a lot of girls that can kick the ball hard and the wind was in our favor in the second half,” said Centaurs’ coach Dennis Snelling.

The Centaurs practiced on the South Campus field on Tuesday and knew if the wind was in their favor, scoring from afar was certainly possible.

Ashley LaFramboise did so not once, but twice. The sophomore broke a scoreless tie with 7 minutes, 4 seconds left in the first half when she dribbled free and from 25 yards out found the opposite corner of the net.

She started the scoring for the Centaurs (13-4) and finished it. With just 45 seconds left in the match, a Centaurs’ corner was cleared and it found LaFramboise’s foot about 35 yards out.

Aislin Tracey gave The Academy a 2-0 lead when she scored just 3:51 before the end of the first half.

Brynn Kusnarowis just about ended the hopes for the Bulldogs (6-10-1) with a long-distance shot of her own, a 40-yard floater that came down in the back of Lyman’s net.

Emma Redfield also tallied for the Centaurs.

 

Cross Country

John Ywarsky was more than happy to talk about Stella DiPippo Oct. 28 following the Class L girls state championship cross-country race at Wickham Park in Manchester.

“Stella got her groove back,” The Woodstock Academy coach said with a laugh.

The freshman finished 25th in the field in a time of 21 minutes, 37 seconds to lead The Academy to a 15th place finish with 410 points.

“She was the fourth freshman to finish in Class L, there is nothing to frown about there,” Ywarsky said. “She was trying to get top 12 (and qualify for the State Open) but this was a tough field. (Centaurs assistant coach Joe) Banas was saying that (Morgan) McCormick (from Wilton) who won this race will probably be the Open champion. She looked strong out there.”

DiPippo said she was happy with her performance especially since she bettered her time from the Wickham Park Invitational just a few weeks before.

“It’s really hard because you’re running with girls so much older than you,” DiPippo said.

Senior Hannah Matsas finished up her running career for the Centaurs with an 85th place finish.

“I have a cold or something,” Matsas said. “It definitely wasn’t my best time.” Matsas finished in 23:24.

There was more reason for optimism for the future as freshmen Emily McClure and Iris Bazinet finished 95th and 100th respectively. Sophomore Alexia Bourbeau rounded out the top five in 105th.

“The team, as a whole, did awesome this year. We have so many new freshmen and it’s a really young team. We did well this year and as everyone gets a year older next year, they will get even better,” Matsas said.

Eden Law and Leah Randolph were the other two seniors on the squad.

 

Marc Allard

Sports Information Director

 

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Chloe Puffer

WOODSTOCK — Chloe Jackson Puffer of Woodstock died Oct. 3, 2017.

She was born Oct. 8, 1922, in Hyden, Ky., oldest daughter of Charles and Ophia (Miniard) Jackson.

She met her husband, John H. Puffer in 1944 at Wright Field at Patterson AFB in Ohio where he was stationed in the Air Corp.

She was employed in Civil Service HQ Air Material Command at Wright Field.

They were married in 1946 after the war ended. 

They lived in Bristol. Mr. Puffer was employed by Aetna Insurance.

They moved to Woodstock in 1950. Mr. Puffer died in 1984.

She was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock for 60 years. She was also a life member (55 years) of the Betty Putnam Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star 106 and was a past matron.

She was also a member of Quinnatisset Golf Course for more than 50 years and served as chairperson of the Ladies Tuesday League for three terms.

In addition she was a member of the Board of Directors of Day Kimball Hospital Woman’s Board and was a volunteer at DKH for more than 40 years.

She leaves two children: Charles Puffer of Woodstock and Pamela Hayden (Denny) of Abington; grandson Reid Hayden; great-grandchild, Emma Jackson; sister Oma (John) Mooney of Brunswick, Ohio. She was predeceased by a sister, Thelma Glenn Shupe.

Graveside Services were private in Elmhill Cemetery, Woodstock.

 

Ruth M. Wilbur

WOODSTOCK VALLEY —  Ruth (Burton) Wilbur, 89, died Oct. 28, 2017, in the home of her son, Paul Wilbur.  She was the wife of the late Lester Wilbur. They were married in January of 1949. He died December of 2005. 

Born in 1928 in Providence, she was the daughter of the late William and Mildred (Gilbert) Burton.

Mrs. Wilbur worked in the Smithfield school system for many years.  She enjoyed bird watching, feeding wildlife and enjoying nature.  

She leaves her son, Paul Wilbur (Florence) of Woodstock Valley; her daughters, Gail Gallagher of Smithfield, and R. Jane Wilbur and her companion Richard Scott of Clayville, R.I.; her sister, Lorna Avrich of Bristol; her brother, John Burton (Jan) of Salt Lake City; her grandsons, Jed Wilbur (Alexys) of Cornish, N.H., and Joel Wilbur (Jennifer) of Hopewell, N.J.; her great grandchildren, Amelia and Henry Wilbur of Cornish. She was predeceased by her sister, Ticy Thomas; and brother, William Burton

Burial will be at a later date in Acotes Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. Donations: Nature Conservatory of R.I., 159 Waterman St, Providence, RI 02906; or The Audubon Society of R.I., 12 Sanderson Rd, Smithfield, RI 02917. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Jeanne G. Bill

MANCHESTER — Jeanne G. Bill, 95, of Manchester, formerly of Wauregan, died Oct. 25, 2017, in Manchester at Crestfield Health Center. 

She was the wife of the late Earl Bill. They were married July 21, 1945, in Sacred Heart Church. 

She was born April 2, 1922, in Wauregan, daughter of the late Edmond and Mary (Lasnier) Gladu.

Jeanne was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Wauregan. She was a spool attendant at many local mills and retired in 1983. 

She leaves her son, Ronald Bill of Holbrook, Mass., two daughters: Andrea Mercier of Bolton, Jacqueline Riley of Woodbridge, Va., five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Frank, Dolores, Joseph and Gertrude and grandson Gregory Mercier.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 31 in All Hallows Church in Moosup with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wauregan. Donations: Office of Radio & Television, 15 Peach Orchard Rd, Prospect, CT 06712.  Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Kathleen P. Williams

PUTNAM — Kathleen P. Williams, 52, of Genevieve St., died Oct. 23, 2017, at home. Born in 1965 in Lynchburg, Va, she was the daughter of Barbara (Mathsen) Williams of Putnam and the late Neal Williams.

Ms. Williams worked as a salesperson for Brooks Pharmacy, a bank teller for the former Cargill Bank in Putnam and Quinebaug; however, the job that she enjoyed the most was being a saleswoman for Avon. 

Ms. Williams enjoyed scrapbooking, crafts, puzzle building, and cake decorating. She was also a lover of cats and very active in the ministries at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Dayville.

She leaves her mother; five brothers, Charles Williams of Putnam, Richard Williams of Norwich, Michael Williams (Amy) of Putnam, Steven Williams (Gloria) of Norwich, and Christopher Williams (Diana) of Danielson; a sister Annemarie Cutler (Russ) of Putnam; nieces; nephews; and cousins. She was predeceased by her father and a brother Peter Williams.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Putnam Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Tracey Road, Dayville. Donations: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 200 Tracy Rd., Dayville, CT 06241. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Sr. Edna Caouette

Sr. Edna Caouette, DHS, 87, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Oct. 29, 2017, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham

Born Mary Blanche Edna Caouette on Jan. 3, 1930, in Bristol, the daughter of the late Eugene and Lydia (Pelletier) Caouette, Sr. Edna entered religious life in Putnam in 1947 and made her religious profession on Aug. 23, 1950, at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France.  She was then known as Sr. Armand Thérèse.

Upon her return to the U.S., Sr. Edna was appointed to St. John Nursery in Fall River, Mass., and later to Carter Day nursery in Providence.  She also taught the primary grades at Immaculate Conception School, Fitchburg, Mass.; St. Joseph School, Burlington, Vt.; St. Anne School, Waterbury, St. Sylvester School, Graniteville, Vt.; St. Anthony School, Bridgeport, and St. Mary School, Putnam.  From 1982 to 1994, she worked in the Admissions Office at Fannie Allen Hospital, Winooski, Vt.  After serving two years as bookkeeper in the Business Office at the Provincial House in Putnam, she retired at All Hallows Convent, Moosup in 1996.  In 2004, she became a resident at Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam and in October of 2009 she was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center there.

She leaves her spiritual family, her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the DHS Associates as well as one sister, Pearl Bouchard of Southbridge; nieces and nephews.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Provincial House Chapel on Church Street, Putnam, with a Prayer Service at 7:15. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Provincial House followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT  06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Doris Laprade

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Doris Germaine Laprade, 93, of Alexandria, died Oct. 26, 2017. She was born and raised in Danielson and was a graduate of Killingly High School and George Mason University. She retired from the federal government and enjoyed a variety of part time jobs in the northern Virginia area during her retirement. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur Joseph and Blanche (Forcier) Laprade and her siblings Arthur and Gertrude Laprade. She leaves her son Pierre Laprade Smith of Virginia; daughter Cherie Squire of South Carolina; grandchildren Marleigh and Jared Smith and Laura and Julie Squire. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at St. James Catholic Church with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Visitation is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Carol A. Holman

DAYVILLE — Carol A. Holman, 78, of Dayville, died Oct. 25, 2017, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. She was the wife of the late Norman Holman. He died in 1996. 

She was born May 10, 1939, in Plymouth, Mass., daughter of the late Leno and Eleanor (Jackson) Zaniboni. 

Carol worked for ACME Cotton, she was an avid bowler, enjoyed playing cards, knitting and reading. 

She leaves her children, Michael Holman (Jennifer) of Nashua, N.H., David Holman of Putnam, Robert Holman (Wendy) of Madison, N.H., Debra Holman (David Scott) of Lisbon; brother Robert Zaniboni of Florida; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Daniel Holman and a brother Edward Zaniboni.

Services will be private. Donations: www.gofundme.com/in-remembrance-of-carol-holman. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

S. ‘Sally’ Valukas

PUTNAM —  Salomeja “Sally” Nasvytyte-Valukas, 97, mezzo-soprano and later a librarian, died Oct. 23, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the wife of the late Vytas Valukas. Born March 5, 1920, in Kaunas, Lithuania, she was the daughter of the late Mothiejus and Solomeja (Bamaityte) Nasuytis. 

In 1937 she graduated with honors from gymnasium and started studies of modern languages at the University of Vytautas the Great in Kaunas (1937-39). She studied singing at the Conservatory in Kaunas (1939-41). After closing of all the higher institutions of learning by the occupying German forces, she continued her singing studies with a private teacher. 1942-44 she was a soloist in the State Theater in Kaunas, appearing in six different productions of opera and operetta. While a refugee in Germany she attended the opera school of the Stuttgarter Musik Akademie, doing extensive concert work in addition to her studies. 

After settling in Chicago, in 1954 she acquired a bachelor’s degree in modern languages; in 1959 she completed requirements for major in music. While in Chicago she performed with Lithuanian Opera Company, gave two solo recitals of her own, participated in Goodman Theater production of Purcell’s opera Fairy Queen, and sang lead in Leon Stein’s opera DEIRDRE concert version and the world premiere of McKissac’s The Spanish Songs with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra at the Art Institute. In 1961 S.V. received master’s degree with honors from Columbia University School of Library service and 1962—80 was employed as a librarian by Yale University. In addition to her professional duties there, she continued to appear as a soloist in Lithuanian concerts on the East Coast. In 1965 she returned to Chicago to sing the world premiere of Arthur Custer’s cycle of the Songs of the Season’s with Chicago Chamber Orchestra. In 1974 she performed the role of Mother Abbes in the production of Sound of Music by the Unitarian Players of New Haven.

In 1965 she organized a commemorative concert of Lithuanian composer Kazys Viktoras Banaitis, whose archives she inherited, at the Little Carnegie Hall in N.Y. Afterwards she devoted several years to organize, publish and transfer the composer’s huge archives to Lithuania, which after 50 years of Soviet occupation, become free in March 11, 1990. Thus the prominent composer’s K.V. Banaitis works were returned to the history of Lithuanian music.

As a member of the Federation of Lithuanian Women’s Clubs, Salomeja Valukas organized numerous musical and literary events in New Haven, where she lived since 1961.

She leaves her cousins Irene Ivaska, Donatas Banaitis, and Sigitas Banaitis. She was predeceased by two sisters Giedra Nasuytis Guvauskas and Donute Nasuytis Gabrijolavicius.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 27 in the Chapel at Matulaitis Nursing Home, with burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260; or the Immaculate Conception Convent, 600 Liberty Rd., Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Mildred M. Litke

BROOKLYN — Mildred (Hrabos) Litke, 85, of Brickyard Rd., died Oct. 27, 2017, in Day Kimball Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Samuel Litke Sr.  Born in 1932 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Dora (Phillips) Hrabos.

Mrs. Litke was the owner and operator of Dayville Package Store but for the majority of her life she was a stay-at-home mother.

Mrs. Litke enjoyed traveling and watching the UConn ladies basketball team.

Mrs. Litke was a member of Our Lady of La Salette Church and was very active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. 

She leaves her sons, Samuel Litke Jr. (Michelle) of Salem, Org. , Timothy Litke (Trenace) of Danielson, and Daniel Litke and his companion Cindy Miller of Brooklyn; five grandchildren Nathaniel, Emily, Allison, Sarah, and Bradley; and three great grandchildren Anders, Cohen, and Talon. 

Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 4 in  Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A Mass of Christian Burial at will begin at 11 in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Providence St, Putnam. Donations: Charity of one’s choice.

 

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