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caption, page 7:

Boys’ Hockey
Woodstock Academy senior Jacob Jurnovoy, left, is the hockey team captain this year. Kaiden Keddy, center, and Max Larkin will be the assistant captains. Photo by Mark Smolak/Woodstock Academy.




The expectations are lofty. But the Woodstock boys’ hockey team looks like it is capable of reaching some of those high hopes.
“We have the capability to be extremely good. We’re talented. We’re young. We just have to stay on message and if we do that, we’re going to have a great year,” said coach Mark Smolak.
Still, last season didn’t end as the Centaurs had hoped.
They lost to the Eastern Connecticut Eagles in the Nutmeg Conference championship game and then, after a good win over Trumbull in the first round of the Div. II state tournament, lost a heartbreaker in overtime to second-seeded Lyman Hall in the quarterfinals.
It has left a very hungry Centaurs team coming into the 2022-23 season.
Smolak takes over for Bisson who guided the Centaurs to a 15-7 record last season and has an experienced offensive until that is used to working with one another.
The top four point-getters for the Centaurs a year ago return with juniors Noah Sampson (19 goals, 23 assists) and Don Sousa (21,11); senior Max Larkin (5, 14) and sophomore Maxx Corradi (15,13).
Larkin will play on the second line with a pair of new linemates. Senior Andrew Newton will play center for Larkin with junior Troy Daviau on the left side.
The Centaurs are also strong in the net with sophomore Dante Sousa and senior Kaiden Keddy.
If there is a question mark, it’s behind the blue line. Chris Thibault, Brendan Hill and Shawn Wallace, all defensemen, have graduated.
Ryan Wallace, Sam Lescault and Keegan Covello are returning defensemen with junior Alex Gessner, sophomore Sam Desmond and freshmen Ian Sherman and Jack Larkin joining the group. Other varsity players for the Centaurs this season include junior Thomas Blevins, sophomores Seamus Coleman, Brady O’Brien, and Jayden Fuller and freshmen Brady
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Schedule: Wed., Dec. 14: vs. Eastern CT Eagles, 7; Sat., Dec. 17:at Branford, TBA; Mon., Dec. 19:vs. Suffield Co-Op, 5; Wed., Dec. 21:vs. Prout (RI), 3; Fri., Dec. 30 at Tri-Town, 7:50; Mon., Jan 2: vs. Burrillville, noon; Wed., Jan 4: vs. Moses Brown, 6:30; Sat., Jan 7:at Housatonic Co-Op, TBA; Wed., Jan 11: at North Haven, 8:30; Mon. Jan. 16: at Lincoln (R.I.), 1:30; Sat., Jan. 21: at Suffield Co-Op, 6:40; Wed., Jan. 25:at Eastern CT Eagles, 8:30; Sat., Jan. 28: vs. Bishop Hendricken, 6; Sat., Feb. 4: at Smithfield (RI), 2:30; Mon., Feb. 6:vs. Housatonic Co-Op, TBA; Sat., Feb. 11: vs. East Haven, 7; Wed., Feb. 15:  vs. Lyman Hall, 6:30; Fri., Feb. 17: at North Branford, 7:45; Sat., Feb. 18: at Glastonbury, 7:30; Mon., Feb. 20:  vs. Tri-Town, noon.

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PSA’s Grant
much more
engaged
PSA girls’ Prep basketball coach Devin Hill turned to assistant TaNajia Smith on the bench during a recent game. He just saw Janeya Grant dive on the floor for a loose ball, and the look to Smith was a combination of stunned “did you see that” and impressed “did you see that.”
“Things like that weren’t happening last year,” Hill said. “This year, she is much more engaged. She’s been very consistent. We talk about Ines (Goryanova) and the jump she’s made, but Janeya’s honestly taken just as much of a jump as Ines, in her own way.”
Grant, from Middletown, got bigger and stronger in the offseason – a result of natural progression but also extra time in the weight room – and is seeing the payoff. She is averaging 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals for the Mustangs, who improved to 9-2 this past weekend by winning three games at a showcase event in front of dozens of college coaches in Washington, D.C.
The 6-foot, 1-inch Grant, a member of the Class of 2024, has always been a shooter but this year she has become a consistent factor in so many more facets of the game.
“I think she’s improved so much, and I don’t think she realizes how much she’s improved,” said Goryanova. “Not even just for shooting but being physical, getting to the basket, finishing those and-ones, rebounding, helping on defense too with her length. I don’t think she realizes how much it’s gotten better from last year. But she’s someone who makes a difference for us.”
Said Grant: “I think I’ve matured and just started taking stuff more seriously. School, basketball, stuff off the court. I’ve just matured. Last year I would get in some trouble at school and not really do what I was always supposed to be doing. But this year, it’s gotten way better. I’m more locked into everything.”
It’s not all by accident either. Grant said she had a lot of talks since last season with Hill, and with her parents. She said she just has a better focus on what she wants and how she can get there.
“It’s helped me with my confidence on the court, too,” she said. “That is at a completely different level from last year. I just go out there and play my game. Last year, I’d get mad, frustrated, down on myself if I missed a shot. But this year, it’s just ‘next play.’
“Obviously shooting is definitely my role. My teammates know if they see me on the 3-point line, they’re going to kick it out. But rebounding, pushing the ball up the floor. I’m trying to be more aggressive on defense, trying to be more active. I want to make a name for myself.”
The Mustangs certainly did that this weekend at the She Got Game Classic. They toppled Quality Education Academy, 68-25 on Friday night. Grant had six points and a pair of rebounds in that one, but didn’t play a lot because of the lopsided score. Goryanova led the way with 22 points and eight steals, while KC Cedano kicked in 12 points, and Jada Mills scored nine.
PSA beat Spire Academy 80-48 Saturday. Grant led a balanced attack with 15 and seven, Goryanova 16 points, and Genevive Wedemeyer scored 12 points. Cedano had seven points and seven rebounds, while Sophia Fontaine finished with eight points and six boards.
PSA capped the perfect weekend with a 67-62 win over powerhouse Niagara Prep, behind Wedemeyer’s 22 points. Goryanova and Grant scored 15 and 11 respectively.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Winter Festival

Clockwise from top left:

Harper Sandness, 5, of Woodstock, creates a bird feeder from pinecones, peanut butter and seed at Westview Farms. On page 1: A giant jingle bell at Rustic Relic.

Inside Roseland Park's barn for the Woodstock festivities.

A family might be chilled but the wagon ride at Westview Farms is going to be fun.

Anna Moore, 4, left, looks to her sister Grace, 6, for pointers on how the craft goes together.  

Jamie Martel, 5, crafting at the bankHometown booth.

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'Wreaths Across
America' Dec. 17
PUTNAM — At noon, Dec. 17, the “Wreaths Across America” ceremony will take place at the Veterans Memorial Park.
The community of Putnam along with towns throughout America will pause for a minute of silence in tribute and remembrance to the fallen, the Prisoners of War, the Missing in Action and to honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s Armed Services. The ceremony is coordinated by the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 and the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523. It’s open to all.
Following the minute of silence at exactly noon, the program will open with remarks from Michael Rocchetti, Senior Vice Commander of American legion Post #13, and the singing of the National Anthem by Army National Guard Specialist, American Legion Post #13 member, Emily Lajoie. In the presence of the combined Honor Guards of the American Legion Post #13 and VFW Post #1523, wreaths will be laid in memory of those who served and are serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. An individual wreath will be laid in remembrance of the 93,129 service personnel from all branches whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Reflections will be offered by the Putnam mayor, Post #13 member; VFW Post #1523 Commander, Hans Lowell; and American Legion Post #13 and District 4 Past Commander Ronald P. Coderre
The reflections will be followed by the tossing of a remembrance wreath into the Quinebaug River by Rocchetti and Lowell. The ceremonial wreath tossing will be followed by a Rifle Volley and Taps performed by Tyler Eddy.
After the closing of the ceremony, the Honor Guard will disburse to local cemeteries and bridges where they will honor veterans by placing wreaths at each location.
The program is coordinated by the two service organizations in cooperation with Town of Putnam’s Recreation Department.

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