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Punzo Brought a Staunch Defensive Presence to the Court

Basketball and baseball have always been big parts of Tristan Punzo’s life, and he’s played both sports throughout all four of his years at East Haven High School. Tristan came off the bench for the basketball team the past couple of seasons, but then worked his way into the starting lineup as a senior this year. Even though he wasn’t relied upon to score, Tristan still found ways to make an impact for the Yellowjackets.

“I wanted to work hard and contribute to the team. My best asset is to play defense and to try and guard the other team’s best player. I make them work for their baskets,” says Tristan. “I know my job on offense was to get it inside and make others better. Defense was my place to contribute.”

Tristan didn’t worry about the numbers that appeared next to his name in the box score. He knew that his primary responsibility on the court was doing those little things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.

“I’m not a stats guy. My teammates and coaches know I’m working, and it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Tristan says. “We had a tough schedule, and I had to guard some good players that you know are going to make shots. You can’t get down. You have to keep your head up and contain them.”

Head Coach Ricky Narracci loved having a player like Tristan on his team. Narracci says that Tristan welcomed his job as a defensive specialist and thrived in that role.

“He drew the toughest defensive assignment most nights...There are two ways to go about it: You can accept the role and relish in it, or you can put you head down, because it’s not the most fun assignment,” says Narracci says. “He really relished it and took pressure off our other guys to be able to do some things they were more comfortable with.”

Tristan wasn’t named a captain for this season, but as one of the Easties’ seniors, he still took it upon himself to lead the team by example.

“We had some young guys on the team, and they look up to you no matter what. You’re older, so you have to guide them,” he says. “Sometimes they’ll make mental mistakes, but I’ve been through that with baseball and basketball. I try to show them not to get down.”

As a member of the baseball team, Tristan has been East Haven’s starting second baseman since his sophomore year. The Yellowjackets have had solid seasons in each of the past two campaigns, and Tristan hopes that continues this spring.

“We lost some guys, but we are really excited for the season this year,” says Tristan, who also plays for East Haven’s Senior American Legion baseball team. “I think we can still have a really great year.”

Tristan says that he plans to continue his baseball career in college and has narrowed his decision down to a handful of schools. Before that, however, Tristan still has one more season left with the Yellowjackets, and he wants to finish his high-school career on a memorable note.

“My high-school experience has been great,” Tristan says. “Every season, we create great memories that will last forever...Getting to play every day with my friends is just a fun time. The memories are crazy.”