caption:
Coach Scraba
The St Mary’s School Junior High basketball team circa 1954 with coach Stan Scraba. Front, left to right: Leonard Bonneville, Paul Bellerose, Paul LeClair, Ron Coderre. Back: Paul MacCormac, Bob Gosselin, Peter Phaneuf. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
The e-mail from Susan Johnston entitled “Stan the Man,” which was sent with the news of her dad, Stan Scraba’s death set off a series of memories about the man who for well more than a half century positively affected the lives of hundreds and possibly thousands of individuals.
My last contact with Stan Scraba was about one month ago when he called to say hello and to just catch up on news in general. His calls and hand written notes, since he began spending winters in Florida, were something I always looked forward to receiving because they always left me with the feeling that life was good because of people like Stan Scraba.
I first met Stan Scraba when I was a junior high school student at St. Mary’s School and he was our team’s basketball coach. His impact on my life was immediate. A man of character, coach Scraba instilled values into the lives of every young man he ever coached.
The memories of those St. Mary’s day include squeezing seven players into his car to travel to away games because that was the only transportation available to us. And season ending spaghetti dinners at his home, so tastily prepared by his wife of 60 years, Joan, was anxiously looked forward to by all the players.
Our paths crossed again when I was a student at Putnam High School, where Mr. Scraba was a business teacher and assistant football coach. Thanks to his typing class, I and many people my age are able to sit at the key board today and tap the keys without looking at the letters. And the memories of his feisty presence alongside his friend coach Greenhalgh on the Clipper sideline will live on indelibly forever.
It seems that over the years whenever someone with knowledge, enthusiasm and a positive attitude was required to assist with a project we turned to Stan Scraba. This occurred when our friend Benny Auger announced his candidacy for State Representative. As campaign manager for Auger I called on Stan Scraba for sessions in speech writing and presentation, debate preparation and anything else necessary to put together a winning campaign for our aspiring politician.
Our paths continued to pass and zigzag for years and every time we’d meet he was the same Stan Scraba, the coach, the teacher, the mentor, the adviser and the friend. In recent years we enjoyed the opportunity of sharing the speaking podium for the 2011 Putnam Memorial Day festivities. Brigadier General Scraba (U.S. Army ret.) was the featured speaker whom I had the honor of introducing as the event’s Master of Ceremony.
And for the past three year’s Stan Scraba was an integral part of the committee that raised approximately $50,000 for the Coach Jim Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship.
A solid and devoted Christian man, Stan Scraba was a confidante to many. He was first and foremost a dedicated husband to Joan; a loving father to his two daughters, Susan and Paula and his four sons, Tom (who died tragically in an automobile accident), Mark, Christopher and Sean; a caring grandfather to his ten grandchildren; a coach to hundreds of athletes; a teacher to thousands of students; a General to his many troops; and a friend to everyone who ever met Stan Scraba.
Life will undoubtedly go on although “Stan the Man” Scraba is no longer with us but rest assured there are many who will continue to turn to him in times of need and when his sage advice is required. He may not be physically with us any longer but his presence and aura will always be in our memory.
Woodstock
Academy
roundup
Woodstock — In Woodstock Academy action last week:
Indoor Track
Molly Gibeault competed at the Indoor Track State Open Championships and took 4th place with a record setting jump. Molly Gibeault surpassed her own school record in the pole vault with an impressive vault of 10 feet which was good enough to put her in 4th place in the state. Her 4th place finish would have put her in New England’s if pole vault was offered at the New England Championships, but because it is not her indoor track high school career ended at the State Open meet, but Molly goes out on top as the Woodstock Academy record holder in indoor track pole vault.
The gymnastics team won the state championship for the third consecutive season.
Gymnastics
The had a score of 142.95 which did not only give them their third consecutive State Title, but it was also the top score of the day for all the teams in the state regardless of division. If the Lady Centaurs are able to keep the top spot at Friday’s State Open Meet then they will be State Open Champions for the second consecutive year. M
Meet results:
Woodstock Academy started on the vault posting a team score of 34.975
Mary Incera 8.225; Jourdan Fulchino 8.3; Allison Rich 8.375; Nickie Deary 8.2; Bree Hussong 9.25; Courtney Osborn 9.05. Top 4 scores = 34.975
Bars: 37.1 team score: Emily Lipka 8.425; Bree Hussong 8.35; Nickie Deary 9.2; Courtney Osborn 9.5; Shaila Segal 9.575; Jackie Deary 8.825; Top 4 scores = 37.1.
Beam: team score of 35.75; Jourdan Fulchino 8.75; Nickie Deary 9.025; Emily Lipka 8.6; Courtney Osborn 8.0; Jackie Deary 8.5; Bree Hussong 9.375; Top 4 scores = 35.75
Floor 35.125 team score: Jourdan Fulchino 8.6; Emily Lipka 8.75; Allison Rich 8.35; Nickie Deary 8.75; Bree Hussong 9.025; Courtney Osborn 8.6; Top 4 scores = 35.125
Cheerleading
The cheerleading team won the ECC Championships while posting the top score for all division teams.
Some highlights: ALL STARS: Kyleigh Caron, Marial Baker. Honorable Mention: Molly Matheau, Elizabeth Hoyt, Kayla Slayton. Sportsmanship Award: Jenna Clinton
Boys’ Basketball
The team won big in the ECC Quarterfinals, with beating Stonington 84 to 64.
The boys’ basketball team improved their record to 19-2 and they took one step closer to the goal of winning the ECC Tournament Championship. The team was firing on all cylinders on their way to a 84 to 64 win over the # 7 seeded Stonington Bears. Tristan Welch was named WINY player of the game with a monster performance. Welch finished with 22 points including four 3 point shots. Chris Lowry also had four 3 pointers today finishing with 16 points and an amazing 13 assists. Ian Converse showed again why he one of the best players in the state with 22 points. Trent Peters had 10 points going a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe.
caption:
Driving
PSA's Jonte Rutty drives to the hoop in recent contest against Notre Dame Prep. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
Putnam Science Academy post graduate basketball standout Jonte Rutty verbally committed to playing basketball for Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. The announcement was made on the PSA basketball twitter account Feb. 19.
Rutty, who came to PSA from Newburgh Free Academy in New York where he helped his team to the 2011 Section 9 Class AA championship, has been an impact player on the 2012-2013 Mustangs team which recently completed a 22-8 season by capturing the 2013 Northeast Prep Basketball Tournament.
“Jonte is a pure shooter who can spark a team because he’s capable of putting points on the board in a hurry,” said PSA coach Tom Espinosa.
This season, Rutty was the team’s third leading scorer averaging 11 points a game, while corralling four rebounds per contest. His biggest asset was his ability to score beyond the three-point arc, where he led the area with 76 treys.
In moving on to Georgian Court University, Rutty will become part of an historic team at the New Jersey school. The 2013-2014 Lions of Coach Enrico Mastroianni will be the first male basketball team in the history of the school, which is going co-educational after a long history as an all-female Catholic university. The Lions will compete in the NCAA on the Division II level in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
“I’m very happy for Jonte, as he’s been a great teammate on the team all season. One of the main reasons he came to our school was to get more visibility as a player and to avail himself of the opportunity to play at the next level,” said Espinosa.
The 6-foot, 5-inch Rutty should add versatility to the Georgian Court frontcourt as he’s capable of handling all three ‘big man’ positions. He offers mismatch potential as well as his innate ability to knock down the long range three.
Rutty is the second PSA player this year to accept a college scholarship, joining Dayshon Smith who earlier committed to coach Archie Miller and the University of Dayton Flyers. Rutty is also the second member of his family to play college basketball, following in the footsteps of his older brother Justin, a 2011 graduate of Quinnipiac University where he starred for coach Tom Moore’s Bobcats.
By Ron P. Coderre
It’s great to be back on the computer keyboard following a whirlwind week in Florida. This week’s RPC sporty shoutout goes to my good friend and faithful backup Doc Cody. Thanks for filling in so ably while I was away Doc.
You can run but you can’t hide. Regardless of how far you may wander from dear old Putnam, it seems that you inevitably run into someone from the Antique City or from the area. Of course that happened to our foursome of Rick Carnahan, Roger Franklin and Doug Valentine on the recent sojourn south.
On the Southwest Airlines flight from Providence to Tampa we had the pleasure of being joined by the Providence College Friars who were headed to the Sunshine State for an encounter with the University of South Florida. Yours truly was sandwiched between Bryce Cotton and New London’s Chris Dunne. Our foursome was surrounded by players, coaches and team personnel throughout the airplane.
While waiting for our luggage and golf clubs we had the opportunity to speak with Head Coach Ed Cooley. The affable Cooley was a true gentleman as he always is. He sends his hellos to all his friends in Putnam but especially to his college roommate at Stonehill College Lance Coderre and a special greeting to Lance’s dad, Moe Coderre.
By the way, the Friars easily handled the USF Bulls and then much to our disappointment they slapped the favored Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish with a loss at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Enough said about that.
While enjoying an après golf libation at McAllister’s Restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, Doug Valentine and I ran into Putnam residents Ted Bazinet and Peter Aucoin who were enjoying an afternoon luncheon with their lovely wives, Lorraine Bazinet and Betty Aucoin. Were they ever surprised to see us?
Prior to teeing off at one of Bradenton’s finest golf facilities, the 27-hole River Strand Golf and Country Club, my gregarious brother-in-law, Mr. Rick struck up a conversation with one of the starters, who just happened to be former Eastern Board Basketball Official Phil “Yogi” Yering from Waterford. Yering related many stories of his officiating days in Putnam. He especially wanted to be remembered to two of his favorite coaches, Tony Falzarano and Dave Vitale.
On the one abnormally cold day we encountered (55 degrees), we ventured to Pirate City, the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We enjoyed a brief chat with former Pirate great Manny Sanguillen and watched the optimistic Buccaneers workout.
If you can pick up the gist of these notes, a good time was had by all. The return to Providence and some chilly temperatures greeted us and made us yearn for the warmth of Florida.
Softball World Series MVP
Can you imagine someone batting .979 and hitting five home runs over a six game span? That’s what Pomfret resident John Smutnick did during the Senior Softball USA 2013 Tournament of Champions in Auburndale, Fla., over the weekend of Feb. 7-9. Smutnick, playing for the South Florida Heat, helped his team to its second consecutive title in the 60 Year Old Division. For his effort, Smutnick was named tournament Most Valuable Player and was honored with a commemorative bat and ring.
The red hot Smutnick is in great demand, as he’ll be playing in five tournaments in the next six weeks. He’s also participated in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Fort Myers. There were 33 teams from throughout the U.S. and Canada entered in his division. Playing for the Midwest Nine from Springfield, Ill., Smutnick led the Niners to a second place finish, as he continued his hot hitting. He batted .565 over the eight-game tourney, while anchoring the defense at shortstop.
Smutnick and his wife Laura are enjoying the warmth of Florida as they play golf everyday that John isn’t on the softball diamond. They’re in the South Central Florida area where they are surrounded by many friends from northeastern Connecticut and Quinnatisset Country Club.
Local Whistle Blower in Worcestr
Danielson resident Corey Pothier, a member of the Eastern Board of Basketball Officials, is quickly and quietly moving up the officiating ranks. Pothier has been doing women’s college officiating for the past few years in addition to a full slate of high school games.
Feb. 20 Pothier was part of a three-man crew that refereed the NCAA Division II contest between the College of St. Rose and Assumption College at the Laska Gymnasium in Worcester. Pothier’s partners for the contest were Amy Davagian, and Michael DoCouto. Pothier, who has great court presence and sense, had a flawless game as the Lady Hounds of coach Kerry Phayre easily beat St. Rose to raise their record to 18-6 overall and 15-5 in the rugged Northeast-10 Conference.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: What’s important is not how busy you are, but why you are busy – the bee is praised, but the mosquito is swatted.