- Details
- Category: Current Issue
By Ron P. Coderre
The Jim Crabtree era at Killingly High School opened its second season on a positive note. After going 7-13 in his initial season at the helm of the Redmen, it appears that the “Crabtree system” has caught on at Killingly. Boosted by the return of some solid veterans and an influx of new talent, Crabtree is proving to Killingly that they can win with hard work, something the players need to accept.
The Redmen opened the season with a convincing win over an always tough Montville team. Woodstock, raising its Class L Championship banner didn’t have much time to revel in the glory of last year as it was beaten in its home opener against Ledyard. The Centaurs are 1-1 after an opening road win at Ellington. Tourtellotte, Putnam, Ellis tech and Plainfield combined for a 0-7 log in the opening week.
After trailing Montville 17-14 in the first stanza, Killingly erupted for 24 second period points to take a comfortable 38-26 lead to the locker room at halftime. In the second half the offense stalled, scoring only 23 points in 16 minutes but the defense came through to preserve the victory for the now 1-0 Redmen.
Killingly put three players in double figures with Nick Hewitt and Austin Taylor leading the way with 14 points apiece. Shaun Audet chipped in 12 points in the victory.
Woodstock opened its season much the same way as it did last season with a 58-55 victory over pesky Ellington. Following a slow first quarter in which it scored only six points, Woodstock exploded and controlled the tempo in the final three stanzas. Senior Will Bourgeois, out all last season with a torn ACL, returned, inspiring the Centaurs scoring 16 points. Senior guard Chris Lowry was the team high scorer with 17 points and returnee Trent Peters chipped in 11 markers.
Ledyard, which is projected as one of the top teams in the Eastern Connecticut Conference this season, spoiled the Centaurs 2012-2013 Class L title celebration, posting a narrow 63-58 victory. During the celebration, which delayed the game start by one hour, the Colonels chose to remain in the locker room rather than watch the festivities. The unsuspecting delay probably had something to do with the game outcome.
The contest was close throughout with visiting Ledyard going back to the familiar locker room at intermission in front 33-30. The second half was pretty much even with Woodstock squandering opportunities to tie or go ahead in the game. Relying primarily on his starting five, coach Greg Smith noted his players may have been tired at the end.
Lowry led all scorers with 27 points, including a pair of three-pointers. He was joined in double digits by Adam Converse, who posted 16 points and Bourgeois with 12.
Putnam lost its initial two games of the season, 80-65 against Wheeler and 61-48 against Goodwin Tech. The Clippers trailed throughout against Wheeler and never threatened the visiting Lions after the second period. Jordan Tetreault (16) and Steve Dakai (15) were the Clippers top point producers.
Putnam travelled to Goodwin Tech and after scoring 22 first period points were able to score only 24 markers in the final three quarters. Tetreault with 18 points and Tylor Genest with 11 were the only two Clippers in double digits.
Tourtellotte coach Tony Falzarano may have to wait a while to pick up the three victories he’s looking for to reach 600 in his coaching career. The Tigers appear to be tranquilized as they were beaten 70-42 by visiting East Windsor and 52-34 by the Griswold Wolverines who came snarling into the Tigers Den.
Kaevon Safford (15) and long range bomber Mike Jezierski (14) were the Tigers top scorers against East Windsor. The offense took a sleeping pill against Griswold as Tourtellotte was unable to put anyone in double digits.
Plainfield opened at home with a tough assignment, New London. The Whalers sailed off with a 69-49 win against the Panthers who were led by Steve Jankowski (14) and Will Robinson (12).
Ellis Tech inaugurating it new gymnasium with the Ellis Tech Tournament finished last in the four-team event losing its opener 53-50 to Parish Hill and the consolation contest 56-36 to Norwich Tech.
Putnam Science Academy Suffers Rare Loss
Putnam Science Academy took a road trip to Western New England University for the Basketball Hoopfest and came away with a disappointing 66-61 loss at the hands of a very good Wilbraham & Monson team. The two teams battled throughout but the Mustangs were unable to muster the offense needed to pull off the victory. In a rare showing of offensive ineptitude, the Scientists placed only three players in double figures, led by Jordan Butler (13) and followed by Jalen Terry and Chaise Daniels with 10 apiece.
The next stop for the travelling troupe was the St. Andrew’s Tournament in Barrington, RI, where the offense magically reappeared in a 83-59 win over Vermont Academy. Able to generate more offense, the Scientists placed five men in double digits. The team was led by Anthony “Bull” Durham and Butler with 14 apiece, followed by Dan Upchurch and Kyle Menard with 11 points each and Terry with 12. The Mustangs stand at 9-2 entering the mid-season break.
Hyde-Woodstock could manage only one win in the three games it had on tap last week. The Wolfpack opened with a one-point squeaker 67-66 over Lexington Christian. The trio of Kenny Grant (20), Dexter Thompson (16) and Damon Gomes (13) were Hyde’s top scorers.
The Bob Southall Classic at Loomis-Chaffee School in West Hartford was the next stop for the Wolfpack and that’s where their luck seemed to run
out. They suffered consecutive losses at the hands of Redemption Christian 59-46 and Kimball Union 72-49. Grant with 28 markers was the lone bright spot in the loss to Redemption. Thompson (17) and Grant (11) were the only two scorers in double figures in the Kimball Union contest. Hyde-Woodstock is 6-3 on the season.
Pomfret lost its opening round game in the Rivers School Tournament to Millbrook School 65-46. Cam Winston with 17 points was the only player to reach double digits for the Golden Griffins. The Griffins rebounded from the loss with a pair of convincing victories to raise their record to 3-2.
Brewster Academy was Pomfret’s first victim as the Griffs won 63-44 behind Winston’s 19 points. They capped the week by beating St. Sebastian 48-32. Once again Winston led the way with 17 points. Jeff Iyalekhue chipped in 13 points and corralled 10 rebounds for the winning Griffins who held the Saints to just five points in the first half.