Windham Youth Basketball’s Three-on-Three Tournament a community victory by Matt Pascarella

Andrew Tulman (R) guards Caleb Sayward (L)

The sixth annual Sonic Coed Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament was held Sunday, July 15 at the Manchester School basketball courts.

Organizer Pat Moody, along with the Windham Youth Basketball volunteers, created the Sonic Coed Three-on-Three Tournament in 2012 to honor Danny “Sonic” Giguere, who graduated from Windham High School in 1998 and was killed in a car accident in 2012. 

Giguere was nicknamed ‘Sonic’ because of his tenacity and how hard he played on the court (like Sonic the hedgehog).

Derek Lovely

In the past, the proceeds from this event have been given to Giguere’s family and the Windham Primary School playground fund. It’s also been used to purchase new basketball equipment and basketball infrastructure in the town and playgrounds at the Windham Primary School, the Manchester School and Windham High School.

This year the funds will be used to help renovate the town skate park, located near the police station in Windham.

Mason Rulman

Moody explains that over the last several years there have been 20-30 teams registered each year. Ages range from third and fourth graders to create a 40+ team. It’s not just Windham teams that come to play, the word has spread about the tournament and teams from outside communities are showing up as well. While the tournament does have a competitive aspect, it’s more about fun and community than winning.

“It’s not just about the teams that come, but about everyone who comes to support those teams,” noted Moody. “When you look around and see the place filled with people, it’s awesome.”

Moody also explained that Giguere’s motto was ‘make it happen’ and that’s exactly what Moody and his volunteers have done; it was a day of fun, community and great basketball.

It was a true community victory.

Windham softball All Star Team starts strong in championship game by Matt Pascarella

The nine and ten-year-old girls’ softball All Star Team hit the field on Saturday, July 14 against

Chloe Edwards

Kennebec Wells for the start of the 2018 State Softball Tournament in Glenburn, near Bangor.

After Kennebec Wells was able to score a single run in top of the first, Windham responded by Chloe Edwards, #26, getting a base hit and then Kennedy Kimball, #34, crushing an in-the-park home run to bring Windham to an early two-to-one lead.

These two teams were fairly evenly matched. Windham made several great defensive plays, getting runners out at first, preventing Kennebec Wells further scoring opportunities.

Kennedy Kimball

It all came down to the top of the sixth inning. The score was still two-to-one, so if Kennebec Wells did not score, Windham would take home the ‘W.’ What an intense inning to say the least.

A walk to a Kennebec Wells runner on base occurred almost immediately. Two outs later this same runner advanced to third and prepared to tie the score. Kimball threw one strike and the ball got by Edwards, the catcher; the runner on third bolts.

Edwards recovered the passed ball as the runner charged towards home. Edwards flicked the ball to Kimball who was ready to make the tag; she did, and everyone waits for the umps call.

The runner is OUT!

The Eagles have done it again and remain undefeated! Final score: two-to-one.

“Now we can breathe a little sigh of relief and work on some of things we need to get better at,” remarked Coach Jason McLeod. “At the end of the day, these girls want to do well.”

They played Thursday, July 19^th in Glenburn. Stay tuned to our Facebook/Instagram and Twitter accounts for further updates.

Comradery among teammates makes a difference on the field by Matt Pascarella

McLeod, Edwards and Kimball posing with the game winning ball, after beating Westbrook in the 11th inning 1-0.

The nine and ten-year-old girls’ softball District Six Windham Allstars are on a roll. They are undefeated after beating Westbrook on July 5th in the 11^th inning, one to zero. They became District Six Champions on Saturday, July 7with a score of two to one against Cumberland-North Yarmouth to advance to the State Championship in Glenburn, Maine on July 14th.

There are three members on this team who have been playing together and supporting each other since they met. They are: catcher, Chloe Edwards, age 10, the pitcher, Kennedy Kimball, age 11 and the second baseman, Oakley McLeod, age 10. They have known each other for roughly the last four years.

All three of them met on their minor softball team, the Shaw’s team, around 2014. They stuck together as teammates and taught each other to keep their heads up, which came in handy especially later in their softball careers, in situations that go into extra innings.

“It was fun to meet new people who we are friends with now and it brought us up to the level to be able to play here,”remarked Edwards.

They all agreed preparation for any game came through practices. Aside from practices with their teammates, McLeod, Edwards and Kimball would visit each other to work on their skills. “We’d have lessons every night to get good at catching and pitching,” explains Kimball. “I’d go over to [Kimball’s] house so she could pitch to me and we could see how we are doing,” clarifies Edwards.

Kimball has been on a roll herself. She threw three consecutive no-hitters and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. “It was exciting; it was really nice to have one of my best friends behind the plate with me and it was nice knowing I had a really good team behind me.”

They’ve been and will continue to be a team that will stick together and are supportive of one another, no matter what team they’re each on.

Division six Girls’ softball team give their all by Matt Pascarella

The Division six girls’ softball team of eleven and twelve-year-old players took the field for the

Chloe Mannette holds onto the ball to get the out at second

championship game against Gorham on Saturday, June 30 at the South Portland Little League Pine Street field.

Windham had high energy right out of the gate. Gorham managed to score one run in the bottom of the first, but the Eagle’s strong defense kept them from getting more, ending the inning with Gorham’s bases loaded.

Windham responded to that one run, with Jaydn Kimball, #28 getting a base hit while Caitlyn Marsh, #42 brought in Kimball, tying the game at one in the top of the second.

Windham’s defense was powerful in the bottom of the third as they were holding runners on base. Although Windham played smart this inning, Gorham put four runs on the scoreboard, five to one.

In the fourth inning, Windham responded yet again. After Kimball walked, Hannah Heanssler, #15 got a base hit and Chloe Mannette, #12 got a bunt, loading the bases. A base hit by Alyssa Connelly #26 brought in Kimball making the score five to two, Gorham.

An overthrow brought in Heanssler. Gianna West, #2 got a hit and brought in Mannette, increasing the score, five to four, Gorham.

The Eagles kept up the defense in the bottom of the fourth bringing up three batters and sending three batters away.

Stella Jarvais gets ready to crush the ball into the outfield photo

Kimball ripped a triple in the top of the fifth. Heanssler smashed a double into the outfield and brought in Kimball, tying the game at five.

Headed into the bottom of the sixth and final inning, the score remained tied at five. Windham moved two Gorham players out almost immediately. After a tough play to first and home base, Gorham was able to get the last run they needed.

Six to five was the final score.

“These girls continually surprise me as a coach - the effort, the heart, the soul. Being able to coach them was an honor. The girls learned a lot and I want to thank our coaches and parents. I think these girls represented Windham really well,” remarked head coach Kregg Jarvais.

Congratulations to the Division six runners up; you all did a great job!

Special Olympians compete in summer games by Matt Pascarella

Nine Windham/Raymond Special Olympians participated in the Special Olympics State Summer Games held at the University of Maine at Orono on Friday, June 8^th through Sunday, June 10^th. Approximately, 1,500 athletes, ages six and up, participated from across the state of Maine.

Friday’s events began with an outside barbeque and a parade that was followed by opening ceremonies that included the lighting of the torch. Each RSU14 athlete participated in three individual events and eight of the athletes participated in team relays.

The first event on Friday was the team relays in which RSU14 brought home a silver and bronze medal.

Saturday was full of many individual events including the softball throw, the shot put, running and standing long jumps and other running events. The day concluded with a Hawaiian themed dance.

The athletes appeared to have a marvelous time competing. Athlete, Dani Iaconeta exclaimed, “The weekend was totally cool and awesome. My favorite part was the Hawaiian dance!”

In preparation for this summer game event, the athletes had been training twice a week with Coach, Anne Blake throughout the months of May and June.

“It is rewarding to see the smiles on all the athletes faces, win or lose and how they all showed great sportsmanship to all the other athletes,” remarked Coach Blake.

Congratulations to the RSU14 participants on a tournament well done!

Majors Little League rock by Matt Pascarella

Ben Shaw sends the ball into the outfield

Two Majors Little League Teams: CR Tandberg and Tricia Zwirner State Farm Insurance, faced off in the final round championship game on Sunday, June 17^th at Ciccarone Field at Lowell Farm in Windham.

Tricia Zwirner State Farm Insurance Team stayed alive in this double elimination tournament after beating CR Tandberg on Friday, June 15^th 14-1.

CR Tandberg was off to a powerful start in the top of the first inning with Briggs Vallerie #2 getting a base hit and Sam Foley #8 getting a triple. Ryan Bernard #7 gets thrown out at first but brings in Vallerie and Foley. Score: 2-0 CR Tandberg.

State Farm player, Ethan Barker hits a home run

State Farm responds with Ethan Barker #11 crushing the ball over the fence; Score now 2-1.

Fast forward to the top of the third inning: Josh Tom #3, and Vallerie get base hits. After Foley walks, Bernard smashes a double into the outfield; 5-1, CR Tandberg.

In the top of the fifth CR Tandberg continues their momentum. Anthony Cole #10, Ben Shaw #4 and Vallerie all get base hits. The scoreboard now reads 7-1, CR Tandberg. This remained the score until the end of the game.

State Farm played a great game with Logan Marden #12 getting a double in the bottom of the fourth. They had great teamwork and made several excellent plays. A great effort was made by both teams.

“The kids played great all year. After getting [beat] last game they showed a lot of heart and to come back and beat [State Farm] is impressive. I’m proud of all of them,” remarked Coach Patrick Foley.

Congrats to both teams on an excellent season and the hard work it took to get to this game.

Minors Little League Teams play a great championship game by Matt Pascarella

Calvin Bartz slams the ball into the outfield

Minors Little League Teams (ages 7-11) - Windham Powersports and Refuge Church took to the field for their championship game on Saturday, June 16th played at Ciccarone Field at Lowell Farm in Windham.

Windham Powersports started strong, scoring five runs in the first inning. C.J. McDonald #8 got a double. Dominic Cataldi #6, Jacob Leavitt #3, Ellias Jaquari #2 and Ronin Rotaru #4 all got base hits.

Evan Chojnowski gets a base hit for Refuge Church

In the top of the second, McDonald rips an in-the-park home run adding two runs to the scoreboard, 7-0. Calvin Bartz #7 smashes a triple adding another run. Score now: 8-0, Windham Powersports.

Windham Powersports continued in the top of the third with Jaquari, Rotaru, Cataldi and Collin Lombard #12, all getting hits. The inning closed with the score 13-0. Windham Powersports added a final run in the top of the fourth to end the game with a 14-0 score. Windham Powersports had strong defense and excellent teamwork.

Refuge Church battled hard as Evan Chojnowski #15 gets on first base and advances a runner to second base in the bottom of the second inning. They had good defense, making plays to first and working hard as a team to get the ball from the infield or outfield to where it needed to be. Great sportsmanship from these guys, too!

“I am so pleased with how well these boys have advanced in their game, skills, sportsmanship and team spirit. It’s been a great, great season,” said Coach Chris McDonald.

Congrats to both teams on an excellent season and the hard work it took to get to the championship game level. We here at The Windham Eagle are proud of all of you!