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Inside The Sports Department
Jon Buzby discusses how teams cans prevent
running up the score. See page 3.
We sit down with boys basketball star,
Jordan Butler. See page 10.
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See “USA Hockey” Page 10
Glastonbury Edition February 2013
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PRINT EDITION
Hockey Co-Ops Sign Of New Ice Age
By Nate OwenThe Sports Department
Schools were the respective tournament
champions of their hockey leagues. They
were two more titles in a long list won by
Two years later, neither school had
enough players to form a full team, so
the longtime town rivals had to merge to
form a co-op. This year, there was enough
to room to add players from two more
schools.
It is the way of Connecticut high school
hockey, especially in north and central
Connecticut, where slashes are as com-
mon in separating co-op team names as
on the ice.
The high school hockey landscape in
Connecticut has evolved drastically over
the last several seasons.
The CIAC has three divisions of 57
teams, down from
63 in 2009-10. Of
the 57, 23 are co-op
teams with players
from two, three or
even four schools.
Lack of numbers is
the familiar reason
schools languish-
ing at the bottom
of their league that
have had trouble putting together enough
bodies for a full program.
of the trend.
-
season. Stafford had been with Rockville
and Manchester, but that tri-op fell apart
due to lack of numbers, and all three
schools found new partners this season.
“If we had kept Manchester, we would
have had 11 hockey players,” Rockville
athletic director Steve Phelps said. The
Rams ended up with Bolton, Coventry and
Lyman Memorial-Lebanon and have rid-
den a deep team to an 12-1-1 start.
“Co-ops are the new norm,” said coach
Paul Dowe of Tri-Town, the oldest co-op in
from Somers, Ellington and East Windsor.
“The only way to survive as a high school
organization is to co-op with other towns.”
“I grew up in Manchester and my older
brother played a lot growing up,” Tolland
another town. “
Steven Grigorian, the vice president of
South Windsor Arena, said he saw co-ops
the largest in the state and have 500 kids.
Now they have about 100.”
And as players get older, hockey gets
equipment, a family can be on the hook for
a hefty bill.
parents a lot of credit,” Dowe said.
The advent of indoor facilities such as
availability of sports such as lacrosse or
soccer that are far cheaper than a season
of hockey.
“People are very cautious with discretion-
of dollars, maybe the parents start looking
in other directions.”
often needs to be replacing as players get
either.
said Bob Croteau, general manager of
Bolton Ice Palace. Crouteau says most
of the high school teams take ice time in
considered “down
time.”
most teams are
partially provided
by the school
through the
town's board of
education, with
the rest getting
split among the
same amount, most of which goes towards
director Mike Bosworth.
In Rockville, the board of education
raised funds for ice fees and coach
stipends, Phelps said, with the remainder
getting picked up by the players. Players
their respective schools, instead relying on
money raised by booster clubs and their
said.
E.O. Smith handles the bulk of the ad-
ministrative work for the tri-op consisting
of them, Tolland, and Windham, accord-
education picks up a higher portion of their
“That being said, for what our kids pay to
skate is still cheap. If they were to go play
in a private league and play the same 25-
said.
While the decrease in numbers often
leaves some high schools with no choice
but to seek out other schools, there are
Dowe said. “The kids make a bunch of
friends. A lot of these kids become lifelong
friends.”
And the results on the ice can be there
Manchester was 2007-08, when the team
No Stopping Latham
Courtney Latham, who recently went over
1,000 points for her career, has the Tomahawks
on the right path as the state tournament
approaches. The Tomahawks are 17-2. Photo
by Elizabeth Taylor, TheSportsDept.com,
www.ebtaylorphotography.com
“I think across the board, the
size of our school contributes
to being able to maintain a
squad on our own,” Glaston-
bury athletic director Trish
Witkin said.
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2
The Sports Department is published monthly, and is available free of charge through
home delivery, at display stands in approved private and public establishments, and
through authorized distributors only.
No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the pub-
lisher.
The Sports Department is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its
own), typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or any repro-
ductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready.
If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or
published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in
submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Sports Department, it owners, pub-
for libel, unfair trade names, patents, copyrights and propriety rights, and all violations of
the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication by this newspaper of
advertising copy.
Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertise-
any part of an advertisement. Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in perfor-
The Sports Department assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or repro-
ductions made by advertisers.
TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
The Sports DepartmentPublisher:
Editor:Advertising Executive:
Contributing Writers:
Melissa Green-Maltese
Photography:
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3
“Support Coverage Of Local Youth Sports...Become A Sports Department Sponsor Today!” Call 860-872-0TSD (0873)
By Jon BuzbyThe Sports Department
TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
How To Not Run Up The Score
Three times in the past two weeks,
I went to local high school basketball
games and witnessed teams running up
the score. I've also seen it happen plenty
of times in recreation and travel league
games, where coaches refuse to control
players, resulting in embarrassing the op-
ponents even more.
In these situations, all three teams had
leads of more than 25 points heading into
the fourth quarter and continued to play
starters and press full-court.
the substitutes were pressing and run-
ning-and-gunning as if trying to score 100
points, even though none of the teams
were close to doing so. And the coaches
did absolutely nothing to discourage it - in
fact, they encouraged it.
No matter what level of sport, running
downright unacceptable.
In baseball, coaches should not tell
players to quit hitting or pitchers to stop
to stretch singles into doubles or doubles
into triples, or try to intentionally work
down untouched with the football be-
to the opponent (an unintended conse-
quence of the 50-point rule in Connecticut
high schools). But coaches should not be
calling trick or long pass plays on offense
or blitz on defense.
season and lacrosse is right around the
teams to avoid running up the score.
Once the game is out of reach, coaches
can insert all the reserves and instruct
them to pass the ball for one minute
or more when on offense. After a pre-
established time, the team can run a
set play until they score or turn the ball
over. This takes time off the clock while
forcing players to still play hard and work
proven to be an overmatched opponent.
-
ning team never run a fast break.
-
fense, but it should be in a packed-in
zone without any type of press or pres-
sure defense on the perimeter. The chal-
lenge to the defenders can be to try and
limit easy shots and not allow the offense
to get rebounds.
with a large lead and to make sure the
players in the game are willing to do so.
-
the bench for that player to sit and watch
the rest of the game.
plan, the coach might also let them know
that if they get benched for not following
instructions, the bench is not only where
against an opponent is embarrassing for
everyone involved on both teams - but
no more embarrassing than for the coach
allowing it to happen.
Contact Jon Buzby at [email protected] and follow him @JonBuzby on Twitter.
CT Schools Well Ahead By Jon BuzbyThe Sports Department
In what could become landmark regula-
for K-12 schools to provide opportunities
for students with disabilities to participate
on athletic teams.
I say “could become” because now
guidelines a step further and offer stu-
dents with disabilities additional athletic
opportunities beyond the traditional varsi-
ty teams. Why? Because what these new
guidelines essentially state is students
be kept off a team because they have a
because they're not good enough. Just
like any other student. And if they are cut,
country he will not have the opportunity
to compete on an athletic team.
way ahead of the game.
middle schools and several elementary
See “Over 100 Schools” Page 11
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TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
Girls Basketball Eyeing Title RunTheSportsDept.com
team is no stranger to regular season
dominance. The Tomahawks were 17-2
towards a top seed in the Class LL state
tournament.
But tournament basketball is a com-
pletely different animal and the CCC
tournament - where the Tomahawks are
one week away.
gotten healthy,” Glastonbury coach Brian Flemingsaid. “Lately, I have been a little
concerned that we may have gotten
complacent. Teams are coming at us much
harder the second time around.”
After a loss to Manchester in the Class LL
senior guard Courtney Latham, also a
-
cused completely on bucking recent trends
in the postseason.
or University all year this season,” the
coach said of his star guard and her com-
on Glastonbury.”
Latham surpassed the career 1,000-point
mark during a recent away game and im-
mediately brushed it aside, looking at the
and impressive feat.
“She was almost uncomfortable with [the
idea of a] ceremony at home honoring
-
mitted to the program and to her team-
mates. And I knew that coming into this
all know what it is.”
Latham and the Tomahawks lost in the
second round her freshman year back in
2010 and were one win shy of a state title
game in 2011 after a devastating loss to
Mercy. Now, with the 2013 tournament
on the horizon, Latham (5 foot 8) is not
memory at Glastonbury, she is also lead-
ing her team in rebounds, steals and is
near the top in assists.
honestly, I have been here for 13 years
years if not ever to score 1,000.”
More impressive still, Latham only scored
30,” the coach said of Latham who aver-
to do it while making people around her
better too. “
The CCC tournament and is not only a
key test before the state contest begins,
but also a matter of pride. Central Con-
necticut is a tough place to play girls bas-
ketball and the annual single-elimination
trek can tell where a team measures up
before facing the rest of the state.
“I equate it to the Big East Tournament
we beat is a test. There is a state champi-
prepared for the tournament. Sometimes it
Boys Basketball
team has evolved from underachievers to
Glastonbury has run off seven wins in
eight games and improved to 12-5, 7-5 in
the CCC North. The Tomahawks out-
scored opponents by more than 12 points
per game during this stretch and earned
impressive wins over Manchester and at
Windsor, which had been ranked in the
state top 10.
The Tomahawks are deep and well-
rounded. They average 58.6 points, shoot
the boards, and the defense can betena-
cious at times. The Tomahawks average
allowed more than 60 points only three
times.
-
Jordan Butler and guard Jalen Ollie are
220 pounds) is one of the best big men in
the state and a force to be reckoned with
been inconsistent on the offensive end, but
percent.
“We have learned from our early season
mistakes,” said coach Jim Vaughan. “We
have gotten much better at handling and
moving the ball. The players are staying
within themselves and understanding the
roles they need to play for us to be suc-
cessful.”
The Tomahawks captured a statement
2. The team rallied back from a halftime
-
rebounds. Ollie and guards
and Janvier Johnson also scored in
percent.
The Tomahawks have moved up to 15th
in the Class LL point standings. Vaughan
strong and be a threat in the LL tourna-
ment.
“We have the talent needed to go on
a strong tournament run. If we play with
complete effort, we can compete with any
team.”
Wrestling: Another CCC North title The Tomahawks had a dominating month
in keeping the CCC North title in Glaston-
bury for the fourth consecutive year,
securing it with an impressive 39-29 vic-
to 19-2. Glastonbury is 10th in the most
recent Norwich Bulletin state coaches poll.
The CCC tournament was rescheduled
because of the weekend snowstorm.
The team knocked off Manchester 50-15
on senior night, dominated Windsor 60-16,
2-1 with wins over Guilford, and Cheshire,
while falling to Simsbury in a close 29-27
match.
Joe Rossetti (106), Jake Jones (132) Dan Hecker (152) and Andy Cavanna
(220) have led the way with impressive
individual and invitational wins.
(113) also earned his 100th
career victory in the Simsbury meet.
Hockey The Tomahawks are starting to heat up
as the season hit the stretch run. Glaston-
Avery hat trick to move to 10-5 on the
season. It was the Tomahawks second
consecutive victory over the Chieftains,
and third in four games since losing
back-to-back one goal games last month.
Glastonbury entered last weekend ranked
season with homes games against Sims-
bury and South Windsor.
Ashley Mulryan breaks the press against East
Hartford. Photo by: Elizabeth Taylor, TheSportsDept.
com, www.ebtaylorphotography.com Nate Owen also contributed to this story.
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5
See
mor
e ph
otos
at
ww
w.T
heSp
orts
Dept
.com
TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
Sophomore Shayne Mack looks to keep the puck in the
zone. Photo by: Elizabeth Taylor, TheSportsDept.com,
www.ebtaylorphotography.com
Jordan Butler goes in for a block
against the backboard. Photo by:
Elizabeth Taylor, TheSportsDept.com,
www.ebtaylorphotography.com
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6 TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
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7TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
Accelerated Fitness Helps Athletes Reach
GoalsBy Accelerated Fitness
The number of students playing sports
has reached an all-time high. In the
2010-11 school year, 7.7 million high
school students participated in orga-
nized sports. This means that a large
regular basis, learning the value of hard
work and what it means to work as a
-
acter trait that is instilled in all athletes is
the importance of doing everything they
can to reach their genetic potential. Be-
ing the best that you can be has become
the norm.
What do high level amateur and
professional athletes do to become the
best? The answer is quite simple. They
go to practice, eat right, get adequate
sleep and partake in speed and agility
and strength and conditioning training.
-
ing along with a solid strength and con-
ditioning program is necessary for suc-
cess. These programs help to develop
foot speed along with coordination. They
improve power output through the legs
and upper body. They strengthen the
be your best without this training.
Unfortunately, it is often the most over-
looked part of a middle and high school
-
comprehensive program that covers all
of the previously mentioned necessities
for improving athletic ability. We take all
stretching and static stretching. We also
hips, knees and shoulders. We make
athletes faster by teaching them proper
running form, increasing power output
and improving coordination. And the by-
product of all that hard work is that they
improve their overall level of condition-
ing.
The unprecedented number of partici-
pating athletes has made it even more
important for your son or daughter to
do everything possible to stand out.
Solutions, your child will make improve-
ments to develop into the best athlete
Workout sessions are an hourand a half long (90 minutes)
Male 12+
Please contact Doug Dorsey at (860) 657-8248or via email: Glastonbury@accelerated!tness.com for more information.Download registration forms at www.Accelerated!tness.com
CATEGORIES:
DATE:February 5th - March 14th
High School
Program will improve speed,agility, strength, conditioning,"exibility, acceleration, maxvelocity, and power
Cost: $199 - 6 week$40 weekly drop in fee -based on availabilityLimited slots available (27 intotal) - !rst come !rst serve
Tuesday and Thursday3:00 - 4:30 PM at theOakwood Sports Center
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8
ASK THE TRAINER
TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
The Importance Of Stretching
allied health care providers trained in the prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of sports injuries. They work under the di-rection of a physician and they are board
Visit www.NATA.org for more information.
High School are provided by Hartford
-tation Network.Hartford Hospital Rehabilitation Network
have partnered to bring readers a month-ly column on sports medicine topics. Readers may submit questions related to injuries, training advice, rehabilitation or any other sports medicine topic. Submit questions to:
Because school–aged athletes seem
so nimble and quick, an often neglected
activity for these athletes is stretching.
all athletes, regardless of age, prevent
two phases – before activity and after activity.
up. A good warm-up includes a few min-
utes of activity such as brisk walking or
slow running (this can even be in place).
There are a few general “rules” for
speed sport: it needs to be done slowly
with control over the movements being
performed. Second, bouncing should not
occur during a stretching activity. The
end point of the stretch should be a 5-10
second hold when resistance is met.
Third, if an athlete is recovering from an
for stretching from an athletic trainer or
physical therapist.
It is especially important to stretch the
back and the large muscles groups of the
lower body. Some easy ways to do this
are:
place your hands on your knees and
bring your knees up toward your armpits.
Repeat 3-5 times.
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9 TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
Student Athlete of the Month
Student Athlete of the Month
GLASTONBURY
GLASTONBURY
Kerstan
Basketball
Glastonbury Parks and Recreation
Springboard Diving Lessons
By Bill EngleGlastonbury Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Department is
accepting registrations for the remaining
openings of diving lessons which will be
held on Sunday afternoons, March 3-May
The following classes have openings:
Beginner I: Meets 5-6 p.m. Students must
able to perform a standing front dive from
the diving board.
Beginner II: Meets 6-7 p.m.. Students must
have passed Beginner I diving and must
be able to perform a forward and back-
ward dive.
Intermediate & Advanced meets 7-8 p.m.
Intermediate must be able to perform a
forward dive, back dive, inward dive and
somersault and any direction. Advanced
students must be able to perform a for-
ward dive and forward somersault, back
dive or reverse somersault, and forward
dive with one-half twist.
7679.
Pick Up the Pace… With PilatesJoin Personal Euphoria Pilates Tuesday
-
ners. Learn how to enhance your running
learn how to better balance your muscles
prepared for each run and have the knowl-
edge to keep your body safe between
runs. Learn which stretches are best for a
runner's body and understand how to do
them properly. Be your body's own best
running buddy. Bring a yoga mat to work-
shop. Cost: $25.
Happy FeetJoin Personal Euphoria Pilates Tuesday,
March 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the Academy
-
ing 1million pounds of pressure in an
made up of and what they do for us each
day. The happier our feet are the stronger,
This workshop will get you in better touch
with your sole. Learn about the foot, some
help your feet empower your whole body.
We'll work on arch strength, mobility and
-
ance. Please bring a yoga mat and you'll
go home with written materials, a smash
Registration is currently underway by mail,
online at glastonbury-ct.gov and walk-in
at the Parks and Recreation Department,
information.
Nickname: T-brose
Accomplishments: Society, All-CCC Academic Team, varsity
volleyball
GPA:How do you prepare for a game? Re-
the game that night.
Thoughts on the season: If we continue
to play defense the way we are capable
of, I think we are a legitimate threat to
win the LL championship.
The double-
overtime win against Avon this year. It
was a great team win that set the tone for
the season and our student section was
great.
What area were you strongest in? What area did you improve the most in over your career? Playing defense.
miss the most about playing for your
miss the most about high school?
They are really like a second family to
suffering through the losses together, or
overcome? Playing this season with a
fractured ankle.
Favorite athlete? Which athlete do you
most model your game after? I model
my game after UConn forward Niels
Giffey. We both make up for our lack of
size by playing hard.
Red Sox or Yankees? UConn men or UConn women?
The
Beatles, The Godfather, Saturday Night
Live
What is your favorite sports website to follow? nypost.com
How do you believe sites like Twitter and Facebook have changed how you watch and follow sports? Social Media
has allowed fans to get to know their
favorite players off the court.
Plans after high school: Go to college
-
Nickname: Kerst
Accomplishments:Varsity sophomore year in basketball,
On school record-breaking 200- and
season).
GPA:How do you prepare for a game? Watching the JV game before puts me
in a good mood. Also I really focus on
having a good warm-up.
Thoughts on the basketball season: We have a strong team as a whole and
other. All of us are focused on working
our hardest and bringing the best out of
the rest of our teammates. I think we can
win the CCC tournament and go far in
the state LL tournament.
My favorite
moment was upsetting Tolland in the
2012). It was a huge game to win and
gave us a huge boost for the rest of our
season last year.
What area were you strongest in? What area did you improve the most in over your career? I am strong in
rebounding and I have been working to
improve being aggressive to the basket
and becoming an offensive threat.
miss the most about playing for your team? O
to miss the most about high school?
of my teammates.
What is the toughest challenge I've learned how to
balance all different parts of life, making
sure that I maintain good grades while
still improving on my athletics and keep-
ing strong relationships with my friends
and family.
Favorite athlete? Which athlete do you most model your game after? I
watching her play and want to model
the determination she shows.
Red Sox or Yankees? UConn men or UConn women?watching both UConn teams.
Ras-
-
elorette
What is your favorite sports website to follow? ESPN
How do you believe sites like Twitter and Facebook have changed how you watch and follow sports? I don't
because I like to watch the games live.
Plans after high school: Go to col-
medicine.
Tyler AmbroseBasketball
leg stretch.
Sit on the
straight in front of you
straight up to the
ceiling. With your
hands on your lower
legs or ankles, roll
forward aiming you
chin for your legs.
Repeat 3-5 times.
your legs straight and
spread apart. Put both
hands on one shin or ankle
and roll forward aiming your chin
for your leg. Repeat 3-5 times,
then repeat on the other side.
place the bottoms of your feet
other with your knees out to
the sides. Put your arms
on your knees and gently
push your legs toward
times.
onto a chair or wall with one hand. With
the other hand pull the lower leg on that
same side up towards your buttocks.
Repeat 3-5 times, then repeat on the
other side.
crossed and feet close together. Bend
forward. Repeat 3-5 times, then cross
your legs in the other direction and
repeat.
legs apart with one foot point-
ing out to the side. Keeping
your back straight lean over
that foot and return to the
starting position. Repeat
3-5 times and then re-
peat on the other side.
There are many other
stretches similar to
these that will do the
much about which
stretches you do,
but that you do
some. As always
refer any ques-
tions to one of
your health
care provid-
ers.
Continued from Page 8
Nothing Like A Good Stretch
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10
Continued from Page 1
TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
won the in Division III. “Go Man-Ville” was
inscribed on a lot of car windows in the
area during the title run.
Per CIAC rules, any team with co-op pro-
not a problem, as most coaches said they
together a team, never mind make cuts.
Junior varsity teams are rare, although
some teams such as Rockville have infor-
mal scrimmages to give players who might
a lot of ice time a chance to develop.
Schools like South Windsor and Glaston-
bury have managed to stay as a single
top hockey programs, although South
Windsor is having an off year this season.
“I think across the board, the size of
our school contributes to being able to
maintain a squad on our own,” Glaston-
bury athletic director Trish Witkin said.
The Tomahawks compete in Division I for
hockey and in Class LL, the largest clas-
-
a point where Glastonbury has had to
consider a co-op program, she said.
Bosworth said there might come a time
down the road when the state might have
to look at cutting back to two divisions if
the numbers keep dropping as they have
been.
While some area youth programs are
down in numbers, the Eastern Connecticut
Ice Palace, has a seen a rise over the last
few years.
“Their numbers had dwindled quite a bit,
especially in the house program and learn-
to-play program,” Croteau said.
thanks to a recruiting effort co-presidents
Bob Pilney and Ken Camello started when
they took over the program three years
ago.
“Kenny and I basically put the emphasis
back on young age groups,” Pilney told
The Sports Department in December.
“We worked really hard with a grassroots
-
keted the area and tried to get kids back to
youth hockey.”
Those two, along with Mike Rooney,
Learn to Play program had 55 members,
while Mini-Mites had 30. Once players
are done with Mini-Mites, they move on
in-house group.
-
petitive travel leagues instead of learn-to-
Whalers left, youth programs are still im-
“When the Whalers were here, they
Wolf Pack or the Whale are,” Grigorian
said. “The Whalers were always doing
something, always giving back, and that
had a lot to do with it when [youth hockey]
was strong. Every little kid wanted to be a
Whaler.”
governing body for amateur ice hockey
in the United States, has made several
changes to help increase interest in the
game, including addressing the issue of
concussions and the travel schedule for
mite hockey.
-
ers that are on their way [from the youth
level],” Rockville coach Christian Steven-
few years, you could see more (schools)
going back out on their own.”
said the Bruins' Stanley Cup two years
-
ized at the high school level for several
years.
of hockey players that are going to play,”
Genovese said. “I played so I want to pass
-
ment.”
But there are other options for players
besides their local high school. While
rarely lost players to select programs or
to private schools like East Catholic, or the
schools through the state.
games and you can be on the ice every
smart move to make because the cost
to play in high school is about the same.
Really, it depends on the family and what
their goals academically are.”
While more and more schools are band-
ing together due to dwindling numbers,
those closest to the game realize what a
“
-
sons. If more people realized what good
kids are generated through the game, I
think more kids would be playing.”
Aaron Lickwar makes a save
Stafford during an early
season matchup. Fermi and
teams in their respective
leagues. They joined forces
two years ago before East
Granby and Stafford joined
them this season. Photo
Courtesy of Lifetouch.
USA Hockey Trying To Keep Interest
Q & A: Glastonbury's Jordan ButlerBy Danny AtkinsonThe Sports Department
is having a busy sports year. After play-
ing a key role on the Tomahawks' football
team has a two-way tackle, Butler (6 foot
6, 220 pounds) is is one of the leaders of
of its last seven - including an upset of
Windsor, which at the time was ranked
CCC North) appears poised for a run in
the Class LL tournament, which could give
Butler a further chance to showcase his
skills for college scouts. Danny Atkinson
spoke with Butler recently:
The Sports Departmentyou think the season has gone, and why
has the team been able to go on this hot
streak?
Butlerlately. We started off slow, but everyone
eventually realized we had to play together
more and not try and do too much by
ourselves. Guys were concerned with be-
TSD: this season? Which areas have you im-
proved in the most?
JB: do better. My timing with blocking shots
-
practice and it has become more consis-
becoming more comfortable and aggres-
sive in handling the ball.
TSD: What approach do you take when trying to
block a shot?
JB: It is all about timing and putting myself
in position. I watch the shooter closely and
anticipate where he is going with the ball
have a good shot at getting the block.
TSDWhat is the secret to your success?
JB
learned my teammates' shooting tech-
niques, I can anticipate if the shot will go in
our not and what direction it will come off
the rim and then put myself in position to
grab the ball.
TSD: What has been your best game of
the season so far and why?
JB:
able to push the team towards the win. I
always get up for big games and feed off
their energy. Big games get me hyped
about playing basketball.
TSD: Which area do you still need to im-
prove in the most?
JB: I still really need to improve my free-
patient with my shot I make them.
TSD: What type of impact has Glaston-
bury coach Jim Vaughan had on you as a
player?
JB: and how to handle and overcome adver-
sity. Coach Vaughan has been hard on
aggressive, and that has helped me grow
and improve as a player.
TSD: What leadership role do you try and
take on the team?
JB: The other guys look to me to set a
tone for how we are going to play. If I play
all-out, then my teammates will bring the
energy we need.
TSD: Are there any guys on the team who
have really helped you grow as a player?
JB
together with Janvier Johnson for a long
game and are able to set each other up for
baskets.
TSD: -
ketball with Connecticut Select for a long
time. What are the biggest differences
between AAU and high school?
JB: I like that everyone gets to touch the
ball in high school and has a chance to
contribute. AAU is a lot more competitive.
The players are more athletic and quicker,
and I like that you get the opportunity to
play a lot of one-on-one ball.
TSD: What colleges are you looking to
-
ing process been like?
JB: I have been offered scholarships by
Central Connecticut and UMass-Lowell.
There are a number of other schools that
Wagner, Long Island University and
be Central at this point. I would like to play
close to home.
Division I player for a long time, so being
recruited by those schools has been a
TSD
special would it be to go on a run and end
your high school career on a high note?
JB: It would be awesome to do that. I think
we can be a huge threat in the playoffs.
A lot of people have underrated us and
surprised by how many good players we
have.
Jordan Butler has had many
Division I colleges looking
at him, including CCSU.
Photo by Elizabeth Taylor,
TheSportsDept.com, www.
ebtaylorphotography.com
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11
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TheSportsDept.com - Print Edition
Continued from Page 3schools statewide offer students with
and without disabilities the opportunity to
Sports teams. Special Olympics athletes
-
out a disability, to create an opportunity
for competition similar to that of a varsity
team. It also creates opportunities long
get bullied in schools,” said Beau Doherty,
president of Special Olympics Connecticut.
-
of the high school football team telling his
who are at a segregated lunch table to sit
with them. That is, to me, why we do it.”
Sports to Special Olympics founder Eunice
Kennedy Shriver in 1982 while working as
the training director for Special Olympics
with Special Olympics Incorporated staff
-
ily made up of adult athletes. But in 1992,
Doherty had become the assistant director
at Special Olympics Connecticut and ap-
proached the Connecticut Interscholastic
Athletic Conference with the idea of mak-
-
rently boasts a participation of more than
1,300 athletes and partners in 120 schools
throughout the state. At the middle and
high school level, students compete in
soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball.
At the elementary level, students en-
gage in non-competitive athletic activities
designed to develop skills in a variety of
sports.
with a disabilities the opportunity to play a
-
ing a team sport.
The CIAC mission statement says the
organization “believes that interscholastic
athletic programs and competition are an
social, emotional and physical develop-
ment.” Cutting students with disabilities
from teams with no alternative programs to
-
cussed during the conference call as
students with disabilities that are provided
by traditional Interscholastic athletics,” said
Kevin Charles, president of the National
-
of participation for all students. Providing
programs for disabled students adds value
will work together with the Department of
participation opportunities for all students,
including those with disabilities.”
Bringing together students with and with-
out disabilities on teams is a natural way
and the CIAC. Teammates quickly become
friends, on and off the court, and ultimate-
ly, those friends become advocates for
people with disabilities.
of Connecticut high schools and middle
your court.
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