The Putnam Science Academy Girl’s Basketball team is in its 1st year of existence this season. Coach Derek Marchione was hired in April to start the women’s program as the school was going co-ed. Prior to arriving at Putnam Science Academy, Marchione was an assistant coach at Georgian Court University in New Jersey.
Coach Marchione took some time to tell us about his expectations for this upcoming season as well as some key players. As this is the first year of the program, there are no returning players. Aislinn Flynn, a post-graduate and Towson University commit, is a 6’2 athletic stretch four. She has a high IQ and can really shoot the ball. Ariana Koivisto ’19 is a transfer from Woodstock Academy. Checking in at 5’11, Koivisto is a super tough player that plays really hard and does a lot of the little things. Niya Fields ’20 is a point guard who has great poise and vision. Marchione expects her to be one of the better players in her class. Kayla Robinson ’18 is a skilled point guard who is really quick and does a good job of getting into the lane. Sha’raya Haines is a post-graduate who comes to PSA from Springfield Central. The skilled guard was the MVP of the State Championship game against Braintree. Abrial Murray is another post-graduate from Newington, CT. She is a lights out shooter and an overall leader for this team. Finally, Abigail Robinson ’20 is a 6’1 post who has good size, soft hands, and is improving everyday on the court. She is already being recruited by Division I schools.
Coach Marchione has high expectations for his team this season. They have a number of kids being recruited by scholarship level schools. Despite it being their first year as a program, Marchione is making sure that this team plays a tough schedule. PSA will be in the Rivers Holiday Tournament, which he expects to be a great test for them, as they will take on Rivers, Northfield Mount Hermon, and Marianapolis. In addition, the team will travel down to Washington D.C. to play in the She Got Game Classic as well as traveling to New York City for the Rose Classic Super Jam, The Mecca, and Say Yes to Success.
“Although this is our first year, I feel we are able to compete against some of the best teams in New England. I’m excited to see what this season has in store for us! –Derek Marchione
Putnam Science Academy 2017-18 Schedule
|
Day
|
Date
|
Time
|
Opponent
|
Type
|
Place
|
|
Fri
|
11/17/17
|
6:00 PM
|
Life Center Academy
|
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
11/18/17
|
12:30 PM
|
Blair
|
|
Away
|
|
Wed
|
11/29/17
|
5:00 PM
|
Nobles
|
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
12/2/17
|
1:00 PM
|
Navy Prep
|
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
12/9/17
|
2:00 PM
|
Durham Elite
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Sun
|
12/10/17
|
12:20 PM
|
Westridge Academy (NC)
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Thur
|
12/14/17
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
12/16/17
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Tue
|
12/19/17
|
5:00 PM
|
Redemption Christian Academy
|
|
Away
|
|
Thur
|
1/4/18
|
4:30 PM
|
Tabor Academy
|
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
1/6/18
|
2:00 PM
|
Notre Dame Academy
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Sun
|
1/7/18
|
TBD
|
John F. Kennedy HS
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Thur
|
1/11/18
|
5:30 PM
|
Redemption Christian Academy
|
|
Home
|
|
Sat
|
1/13/18
|
5:30 PM
|
TPLS (VA)
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Sun
|
1/14/18
|
TBD
|
Henry Country (GA)
|
Tourn
|
Away
|
|
Wed
|
1/17/18
|
3:00 PM
|
Commonwealth Academy
|
|
Home
|
|
Sat
|
1/20/18
|
TBD
|
Play4Kay
|
|
TBD
|
|
Sun
|
1/21/18
|
TBD
|
Play4Kay
|
|
TBD
|
|
Wed
|
1/24/18
|
4:00 PM
|
Redemption Christian Academy
|
|
Away
|
|
Sat
|
1/27/18
|
TBD
|
The Mecca
|
|
Away
|
|
Wed
|
1/31/18
|
3:30 PM
|
Commonwealth Academy
|
|
Away
|
|
Fri
|
2/2/18
|
4:30 PM
|
Navy Prep
|
|
Home
|
|
Sat
|
2/3/18
|
1:00 PM
|
Tilton
|
|
Away
|
|
Tue
|
2/6/18
|
5:30 PM
|
Redemption Christian Academy
|
|
Home
|
|
Fri
|
2/9/18
|
4:00 PM
|
St. Andrew’s
|
|
Away
|
|
Mon
|
2/12/18
|
5:00 PM
|
St. Luke’s
|
|
Home
|
|
Sat
|
2/17/18
|
3:30 PM
|
Proctor
|
|
Away
|
|
Wed
|
2/21/18
|
TBD
|
ASA College
|
|
Home
|
|
Sat
|
2/24/18
|
2:30 PM
|
Life Center Academy
|
|
Home
|