Putnam Science Academy has had its fair share of athletes move on to the next level not only to college but also going overseas and even in Hamidou Diallo’s case, the NBA. Two members of the PSA family have really made an impact in the early goings of the season with South Florida big man Alexis Yetna and Gardner Webb’s Jose Perez.
Recently in the American Conference, the 6-foot, 8-inch wing Yetna took home Rookie of the Week, which he has now won twice, for his play at South Florida in the month of December. Alexis has been a machine on the glass corralling 10.9 rebounds per game, which is double the next closest teammate’s total. Yetna is also third on the team in points per game with just under 12 scored a contest.
Jose Perez in his first year for the Runnin’ Bulldogs has now claimed the Big South’s Rookie of the Week three times, once in November and twice in a three-week span during the month of December. Perez, in his freshman year, began the season on the bench but has quickly developed into a go-to player for the Bulldogs logging 27.5 minutes a game, good enough for second on the team. Perez has made his minutes count scoring 16.6 points per game, 2nd on the team, along with grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game. With the play of Perez and knocking off two ACC teams so far in the season, the Runnin’ Bulldogs are 10-5.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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The Putnam Science Academy Lady Mustangs in their 2nd prep season have got off to a blistering hot start going into the winter break 10-2. Even with a few bumps along the way, a road loss to Rivers and a tough overtime defeat to unbeaten Tabor, the Lady Mustangs have played phenomenal basketball.
After a 22-9 record last year and losing multiple players who went on to college ball, this Mustang team has its sights on accomplishing more this time around. Providence College commit Fatima Lee provides the leadership on and off the court, Marist commit Trinasia Kennedy has been a spark in her first year at PSA currently leading the team in scoring with more than 13 points per game and Southern New Hampshire commit Ariana Koivisto has done everything and more for a gritty Mustang group.
“This team this year is just different” said Head Coach Derek Marchione. “We are way more athletic at all positions and really can provide matchup problems with the amount of depth we have on the bench.”
Depth was an issue for the Lady Mustangs last year. This year? Not so much.
Marchione loves what he has at his disposal. With guards Helena Dellaruelle and Lucie Castagne providing instant energy off the bench, they can allow other guards like Lee and Kennedy to rest and the offense doesn’t slow down. “Helena has excellent vison” Marchione said. “Her ability to see the floor and get to the basket makes us very difficult to handle on offense. The defense collapses which allows Helena to kick it out to shooters.”
It’s not only the guards getting it done either. The Lady Mustangs this year have size in the front court with Ariana Koivisto, Abby Robinson, Xianna Josephs and Aaliyah Brittian all getting quality playing time. “Abby Robinson has been huge for us this season in the early going. Her play has been exceptional and exactly what we ask and need of her” said Marchione. Robinson leads the team in rebounds per game with just over seven and has posted four games this year with double digit rebounds. Xianna Josephs, a Rhode Island commit, had her best game to date against Tabor where she earned her playing time hustling for loose balls and making big plays down the stretch on the offensive glass and put backs.
This Mustang team has a lot of pieces but it’s clear they are primed for a big second half of the season. With 2 big tournaments on the horizon, the Rose Classic Super Jam and The Mecca, that will be a big test but an even better opportunity for this young Mustang squad looking to leave their mark at Putnam Science Academy.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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The Woodstock Academy Centaurs girls’ ice hockey team had plenty to smile about on Christmas Eve.
The Centaurs picked up their first win of the season in the only game played in Eastern Connecticut on the quasi-holiday, 4-2, over Auburn, Mass., at the Jahn Ice Rink at Pomfret School.
“It’s so big. It’s our first win of the season so it’s really going to help us move forward,” said Woodstock Academy senior Emma Ciquera.
Centaurs co-head coach Jeff Boshka was a little concerned about playing on Christmas Eve.
He wasn’t sure what the response would be or if his team would be distracted by the upcoming family celebrations and gatherings.
“It went well,” Boshka said. “I think we were excited. We had a good-sized crowd. In reality, we were just looking forward to playing. Auburn is a great opponent. We got started with them last year. We love the coaches and they have been helpful to us. It’s a great game for us.”
The Centaurs (1-1) also played pretty well.
Woodstock Academy got on the board first when Eliza Dutson took a pass from Irene Askitis and pushed the puck past Rockets’ goalie Samantha Perry with 4 minutes, 46 seconds left in the first period.
Auburn answered that goal with 57 seconds left in the period when Bella Direda was able to get by the Centaurs defense and pushed one past keeper Marie Gravier on the break.
Woodstock Academy went ahead just 49 seconds into the second period when defenseman Ashleigh Angle took a pass from Dutson and scored.
But the Centaurs’ defense again left their keeper hanging 4 ½ minutes later.
Gravier faced a three-person break and could do little when Julia Siemen lined up the shot and scored.
It was the last time the junior goalie let one get past as she finished with 28 saves.
“Marie had a fantastic game and that’s what we were hoping for,” Boshka said. “We talked to her about being focused before the game and she clearly was. That was huge. She carried us.”
The Centaurs broke the 2-all tie with 7:53 left in the second period when Ciquera got a pass from Emma Strandson.
“I saw the open lane and I took the shot,” Ciquera said. “It really gave us the upper hand and some confidence. It was nice to get the game winner.”
The Centaurs did add a little insurance with 5:48 left in the second period when Ellie Jellison scored her fourth goal of the season off an assist from Ciquera.
“We didn’t back off. We were telling them we have to keep the pressure on and keep going and (the Ciquera goal) ignited that,” Boshka said.
The Centaurs adopted a defensive stance in the third period.
“They were really crashing down on us and we wanted to stay defensive and didn’t have to worry about the offense since we were already up two goals. We just wanted to focus more on getting it out of our zone,” Ciquera said.
The Rockets outshot the Centaurs 10-1 in the period, but Gravier was up to the task, turning aside all 10 shots.
“She had an amazing game. I’m so happy for her. She was stopping everything that came at her,” Ciquera said.
Ciquera had a pretty good game herself.
“Emma is an all-around great player,” Boshka said. “She has such composure and is very skilled. I call her smooth. She’s just smooth in the way she skates and handles the puck. She understands the game. Her decision-making is fantastic and having her on the ice defensively, makes you feel very confident.”
Boshka was just happy to see improvement from the first game of the season when the Centaurs fell to the East Catholic cooperative, 9-3.
“It was clearly a step up from that,” Boshka said.
The Centaurs are next in action at 4:15 p.m. Sunday against the Connecticut Northern Lights at the Pomfret School.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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By Shawn Bates
Dec. 26 the Lady Clippers would travel out Windsor Locks and would maintain the undefeated season on the backs of Kayleigh Lyons who scored 13 in the Clipper victory 37-36 in a double overtime thriller. Molly Mckeon would add 7 to round out the top two scorers.
Dec. 27, away at Fitch, the Lady Clippers would finally record its only loss for this year to date. Going into double overtime again for the second day in row for the 46-40 loss. Again Kayleigh Lyons 13 points and Molly McKeon to points would lead the Clippers in scoring. The Clippers are now 6-1 for the season two away from state tournament play.
Boys
Dec. 26 the boys (2-5) came to play and would push the Redman to an overtime thriller that put the Clippers on top of the contest winning 61-58 in Killingly (1-3). Sebastian Ramos would have a break-out night scoring 19 points in the contest he also went 5 for 7 at the line. Along with Ezavier Key 13 points and Tyion Harris 16 would power the team into the overtime win. Tyion Harris would also be a beast on the boards ripping down a combined 20 on offense and defense. The team grabbed 41 total rebounds.
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