Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier

 
Boys’ Wrap-up
High schools 
and preps in 
action-packed 
week
By Ron P. Coderre
The realization that the holiday season is well beyond us hit home this week as the high school and preps were in full swing on the hardwood.
Putnam Science Academy vying once again for a spot in the National Prep School Tournament ran off a string of three wins to raise its record to 18-2 as its schedule intensifies down the stretch.  Marianapolis, which appears to be coming together, won a pair of contest, while Pomfret School was 1-1 and Hyde-Woodstock lost its only contest.
Woodstock Academy and coach Greg Smith finally got into the local part of its schedule.  The Centaurs enjoyed their best week of the season, picking up two wins.  Plainfield likewise had two victories as they are proving to be one of the area’s better quintets.  The Putnam Clippers split a pair and Killingly and Ellis Tech, who are struggling to get into the Win column, were winless.
PSA Mustangs Running Wild
A Josh Wallace 30-foot jumper as the clock ran out against Lee Academy was the highlight of the week for Putnam Science Academy, who are running to the postseason.  Wallace’s thriller provided coach Tom Espinosa’s team with an action packed 80-77 victory over visiting Lee Academy from Maine.
The win, the first in a two game weekend set with Lee, was keyed by the high-scoring trio of Wallace (23 points), Kealen Ives, with 24 points and eight assists, and Hamidou Diallo, 20 points.  The following day the Mustangs came out energized from Wallace’s heroics and won by the comfortable margin of 82-65 over Lee.  The Mustangs had four players in double figures, led by the hot outside shooting of Andrew Robinson who had 19 points, including five from “downtown Putnam” beyond the three-point arc.  Other double digit scorers included Ives (21), Diallo (13) and Aaron Robinson (10). 
The Scientists opened the week on the road with a satisfying 79-60 over a good Cushing Academy team.  Once again the Mustangs had a quartet of players in double figures paced by game-high scorer Ives with 23 markers, followed by Diallo with 14 points and the Robinson twins Andrew (13) and Aaron (10).
Marianapolis enjoyed its best week of the season, raising its record to 7-4 with an 80-65 win over Brimmer & May and an exciting 72-69 victory over Holderness School.  Hot shooting senior guard Ryan Bernstein was on fire in the win over Holderness, pouring in 35 points to lead the way.  The Knights had three other players in double figures in the win, Adrian LaFleur (12), Dominique Senat (11) and Tom Horvat (10).  The same quartet led the way in the win over B&M as Bernstein had 19, LaFleur 22, Senat 15 and Horvat 14.
Pomfret School rebounded from a 64-54 loss to Hoosac School with a 64-50 win over Kingswood-Oxford.  Maguire Krouse with 20 points and Cam Winston with 19 were the Griffins big guns in the win.  Winston was high scorer with 18 in the loss Hoosac.  He was joined in double figures by Obim Okeke with 17 for 5-4 Pomfret.
Hyde-Woodstock was dropped 71-41 by Vermont Academy, one of New England’s top prep hoop outfits.  The 3-8 Wolfpack was led by the trio of Damon Gomes (16), Dexter Thompson (12) and Kris Carroll (11).
Woodstock Displays Spunk in Picking Up 2 Wins
Woodstock Academy, two years away from its Class L State Championship, demonstrated it has the ability to win as they picked up two important wins last week to raise its record to 3-7 overall and 1-3 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division.
The Centaurs opened the week with a Large Division 53-42 victory over East Lyme.  Woodstock erased a first period deficit of 15-13 to move in front 27-24 at intermission.  A strong second half keyed by Adam Converse with a game-high 20 points was the difference.  He was joined in double figures by Oliver Simon with 13 markers and Luke Blodgett with 10.
The Acads moved easily by a poor shooting Windham team 64-42 as they enjoyed a two-game winning streak.  Three players hit double digits, Bryce Jarrett (13 points), Blodgett (12) and Converse (13) in leading the Centaurs to victory.
Plainfield, which is rolling through the season at 5-2, started the week with an easy 77-49 victory over Norwich Tech.  Steve Jankowski, the Panther’s go-to guy all season had 26 points to capture game-high honors.  Three other Fielders were in double figures, Liam Jacobs (16), David Carpenter (14) and Dylan Horn (10).
The Panthers then slipped by Montville 58-48 on the strength of 18 points each from Jacobs and Jankowski.  The J&J boys also controlled the boards for coach Bob Arremony’s squad.
Putnam enjoyed its biggest offensive output of the season as it picked up an 80-75 overtime win against Parish Hill.  Knotted at 66 apiece after regulation the Clippers pulled away from the Pirates by outscoring the hosts 14-9 in the five-minute OT session.  Five players hit double digits for Putnam, paced by Matt Harmon with 18 points.  Harmon was joined in double figures by Jacob Guertin (13), Steve Dakai (11), Jeremee Perez (12) and Nate Tozzi (16).
Putnam traveled to Windham Tech where it lost a high scoring affair 90-70, despite a brilliant shooting display by freshman Dan Porcic, who had 25 points for the 2-6 overall and 2-2 Constitution State Conference - East Clippers.  Perez added 11 and Dakai 13 in the loss.
Killingly lost to St. Bernard 58-51 and Stonington 56-46 to fall to 2-7 on the season and 0-4 in the ECC Medium Division.  Brendan Turner had 12 for the Redmen in the loss to Stonington.  Ellis Tech was dropped by Windham Tech 80-61 to fall to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the CSC-East.  Chicago Rogers (15) and Ryan Fletcher (12) were the Eagles’ top scorers.
 
 
 
The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
Jan. 7
Trevor Miller, 43, Morin Avenue, Danielson; breach of peace.
Ralph Green, 33, Church Street, Putnam; second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace.
Devin Kennedy, 19, Orchard Hill Road, Pomfret; possession of less than ½ oz. of marijuana.
Jan. 8
Ray Garcia, 28, Chase Avenue, Dudley; second-degree failure to appear.
Daniel Hayes, 39, Little John Drive, Norwich; violation of probation, second-degree failure to appear.
Jan. 9
Joshua Morse, 25, Edmond Street, Putnam; operating under the influence, operating under suspension, traveling unreasonably fast.
Brandon Fortin, 28, Providence Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Jan. 12
Hector Colon, 32, Smith Street, Putnam; violation of a protective order, second-degree harassment.
 
 
Tough week
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy Centaurs ice hockey team lost to Taconic (Pittsfield, Mass.) by the score of 2-1 Jan. 10. The lone goal by Woodstock was scored by Ryan Black and assisted by Nathan Deluca. Tucker Johns had 30 saves.
Jan. 7 Woodstock lost to the NFA co-op by the score of 4-2. 
 
 
 
Drug Arrest
Police arrested a Putnam woman at 9 Providence St., first floor, last week. Courtesy photo.
 
 
 
PUTNAM —  A Putnam woman was arrested on drug charges Jan. 7  after the Troop D Quality of Life Task Force (QLTF), the Statewide Narcotics Taskforce – East office, members of the Putnam Police Department and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed warrants at 9 Providence St. 1st Floor.
Once inside police found several adults and five young children.  Also located inside of the residence were 60 bags of heroin pre-packaged for sale, packaging equipment, several scales and a large amount of money. Because there were young children there, the Department of Child and Family responded and opened an investigation.
Arrested was: Nicole Ladouceur, 33, of 9 Providence St. 1st Floor, Putnam. Charges are: Possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and five counts of risk of injury to a minor.
This was a joint investigation by the CT State Police and the Putnam Police Department.  Members of the CT State Police are committed to combating drug activity in the “Quiet Corner” and anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of narcotics and /or synthetic marijuana are encouraged to call the Troop D Anonymous Tips Hotline at 860-779-4950 of message the QLTF Facebook page.  
 
By Ron P. Coderre
It was a difficult week for schoolboy basketball as local teams only posted three wins in the 12 games that were played.  Woodstock, which has become accustomed to winning games, finally posted its initial victory of the season after starting the 2014-2015 campaign at 0-5.  
Killingly, Tourtellotte, and Putnam were all winless in a total of seven games.  Plainfield split a pair of contests, while Ellis Tech enjoying the taste of victory won its only game of the week.
Putnam Science Academy, the area’s top prep combine, lost to St. Thomas More but rebounded successfully with a trio of solid performances that resulted in wins.  Pomfret enjoyed a perfect week with two wins, while Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis failed in their bids to reach the Win column.
PSA Climbs to 14-2 with a Pair of Impressive Wins
Putnam Science Academy and St. Thomas More, two of the nation’s top prep basketball powers, clashed in a battle of the titans on the Oakdale campus of the Saints.  The game was nip-and-tuck throughout with the final verdict coming in the last 1.2 seconds of the contest.  Unfortunately for the Mustangs, STM prevailed by the narrowest of margins 73-72.
Coach Tom Espinosa’s charges trailed by three points, 39-36 at halftime and despite scoring 36 more points in the final 20 minutes still fell short by a single point.  Kealen Ives and Andrew Robinson turned in eye-popping performances in the loss.  Robinson was the game high scorer with 23 points, while also gathering six rebounds.  Ives had 19 markers to go along with four assists.  The only other scorer in double figures was Hamidou Diallo with 15 points.
The Mustangs got back on the winning track with a pair of solid home court victories, an 87-84 win over Mount Morency College of Canada and a 91-76 win over the Mt. Zion Warriors of Baltimore.
In the victory over the Canadians three players were in double figures as nine Mustangs made it into the scorebook.  The Scientists were paced by the trio of Ives (24), Andrew Robinson (16) and Diallo (10).  The Mustangs led by 11 at intermission, 49-38 but almost had the table reversed in the second half due to shoddy defense, as Mt. Morency outscored the hosts 46-38 over the final 20 minutes.
Thanks to a solid all-around effort by Josh Wallace (20 points, five rebounds and five assists) PSA awoke from the defensive doldrums of the previous contest to register the win over Mt. Zion.  Wallace, who was all over the court in his starting role, was complemented by Ives and Andrew Robinson, who posted double-double performances.  Ives had 13 points and 10 assists, while Robinson had 16 points and an equal number of caroms.  Diallo was once again in double figures with 11 and Mamadou Diarra added 10 to the solid team effort.  Leading by only three points at the half, 46-43, the Scientists turned up the defensive intensity in the final 20 minutes holding the visitors to a mere 23 points.  Aaron Robinson, Vincent Eze, Dandre Rhoden and newcomer Brandon Hurst all contributed heavily to the win.
At the Ballas TV Invitational in Boston, the Mustangs disposed of Redemption Christian 69-49.  Diarra with 18 points was selected the Player of the Game for his effort.  Andrew Robinson had 16 in the win, while Wallace chipped in 14, as he continues his fine play. 
Pomfret School appears to be gelling as a unit as the Golden Griffin had two victories in the past week.  The team opened with a 57-50 win over Deerfield Academy on the home court of the Big Green.  Cam Winston was immense with 28 points to pace the victory.  Gerald Blount notched a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The Golden Griffins moved to 6-3 on the year with a nailbiting 56-54 victory over Governor’s Academy on the wings of a pair of free throws in the final nine seconds of the contest.  Winston was high scorer with 21 points, while Obim Okeke contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Hyde-Woodstock (3-6) lost to St. Luke’s 60-55 despite 20 points from Dexter Thompson.  The Wolfpack also had Damon Jones in double figures with 16 and Kris Carroll with 11.  In its first game of the week, Hyde bested the St. Thomas More V2 team 60-52 as Damon Gomes led the way with 18 points.  Thompson added 16 and Carroll 11 in the victory.  The Wolfpack was also dropped 90-42 at the Ballas TV Invitational.
The Marianapolis Golden Knights V2 team traveled to Worcester for an encounter with Worcester Academy and came away empty as they were felled 67-44.  Colin Hourihan was the top scorer for the 2-3 Knights with 10 points.
Coach Andrew Vitale’s V1 team enjoyed success in Massachusetts at the Hoop Dreams Magazine Prep Classic at Tufts University with a 55-48 victory over Tabor Academy.  Tom Horvat had 20 points to lead the way for the 5-4 Golden Knights.  Adrian LaFleur chipped in 18 points for the winners.
Woodstock Boys Hit the W Column
After waiting since mid-December the Woodstock Academy Centaurs relished their first victory a 68-42 win over Greenfield High School of Massachusetts.  Thirsting for the win, the Acads led from start to finish as a quartet of players finished in double digits.  Luke Blodgett was the team’s high scorer with 18 points as they snapped a five-game losing streak.  He was joined in double figures by Oliver Simon with 13 points, Bryce Jarrett with 16 and Adam Converse with 10.
The Acads came back to earth when they traveled to New London where they were manhandled by the Whalers 75-49.  Converse with 18 and Blodgett with 11 were the top point producers for the 1-6 Centaurs.
Ellis Tech, which is 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in the Constitution State Conference – East, won its only game of the week, a 65-56 victory over Grasso Tech.  The Eagles placed four players in double figures, led by Ryan Fletcher with 16 markers.  Spencer Anderson and Pat Garrett each tossed in 15 points and Chicago Rogers had a dozen.
Plainfield split a pair of games, beating Stonington at home 66-64 and losing to archrival Griswold 58-52 in Jewett City.  The Panthers led 29-24 at halftime against the Bears and withstood a second half surge by the visitors to squeak out the win.  Steve Jankowski was immense in the win with 32 points including four from three-point land.  Jankowski’s cousin, David Carpenter was also in double figures with 13 points.
After being tied 25-25 at intermission, Plainfield allowed Griswold a huge fourth quarter in which it was outscored 18-11by the Wolverines for the margin of victory.  Liam Jacobs and Jankowski each posted 15 points in the disappointing loss for 5-2 Plainfield. Killingly lost all three of its games over the past week, the most disappointing being a 52-51 hand wringer to Wheeler.  The Redmen let Wheeler hang around long enough that they eventually felt they could win and they did!  Brendan Turner (20) and Chace Wood (11) were high scorers for the 2-5 overall and 0-3 Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division Killingly team.  Earlier in the week the Redmen were walloped by Ledyard 90-60, which was followed by a 65-50 loss at the hands of Waterford. Putnam dropped to 1-5 on the season after losing 45-40 to Norwich Tech and 65-52 to Griswold.  And winless Tourtellotte at 0-7 overall, lost to Windham Tech 75-46 and to Parish Hill 53-40.
 
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