WHS increases energy in second half to shut down Deering on Senior Night

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity boys’ basketball played Deering in its final home and regular game of the season on Friday, Feb. 7, and although the Eagles started a little slow, they quickly turned their game around and sent the Rams packing, 68-56.

Windham junior Tyrie James takes the ball to the hoop during
a boys' prep basketball game against Deering High School
at Windham High on Friday, Feb. 7.
PHOTO BY AIDEN HALL 

It was Senior Night for WHS and Joseph Blige, Lukas Hammond, Conor Janvrin, Esa Antonio, James Ammons, Grant Coppi, Braycen Freese, and Creighty Dickson, as well as cheerleaders Morgan Beck, Ella Roberts and Talia Salazar were honored along with their parents, for their time and commitment to Windham Athletics and were presented with a small gift from their coaches.

“It was bittersweet,” said Freese about Senior Night. “I’ve been waiting four years to be in this position and now that it’s finally here, it’s a little sad. You always work for nights like this and once it gets here, it’s gone so fast. Everyone agreed we weren’t playing to our full potential in the first half, and we needed to pick up the energy. I thought we did really good stopping Deering’s best player. I think offensively we could have moved the ball better, had better shots, and not played so timid with the ball in our hands. I think it was their defense and now that we’ve seen that defense, we can grow from it and play better the next time.”

It was a close game for the entire first half. Windham was stellar from the top of the key; Freese, junior AJ Moody, junior Tyrie James and sophomore Colin Janvrin all sank three-pointers in the first half. This fast-paced game was tight, and Windham led 27-25 at halftime.

“Great atmosphere ... I think our energy on the defensive end and overall, we moved the ball around and just kept playing,” said Dickson, who scored 14 points against Deering. “We knew we had to step it up in order to win and bringing that energy we just played better. Our rotations on the defensive end need work. On the good side, I thought our ball movement was good, and our defensive pressure was really good.”

Defense and a more intense offense allowed Windham to take a small lead at the end of the third quarter. Tensions were high and the crowd was electric; early in the fourth quarter, Windham led by 10. As the clock wound down, Windham increased that lead and pressured.

James said it is the energy on and off the court that motivates this WHS team. He said they came out flat with an attitude that they were supposed to win but were more disciplined and came together as a team in the second half.

“It’s just a great group of kids (the seniors),” said Windham varsity boys basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “The season goes by quick – the time is now for them. Just seeing those guys play their final home game and play like we wanted to which was with a lot of joy and gave it all they got. We’ve got to trust one another; we’re going to go through a lot of adversity no matter what. Guys have been in tough situations in really big games and really close games, so our starting core has been through a lot and even our bench players will come in and contribute and give everything we need. Our guys were playing really hard and knocking down shots, and we wanted to continue to play together with that energy and effort. If you consistently do that, good things will happen. Our experience helps us hold onto a lead like that against a really good team. Having Tyrie back is nice, having everyone healthy is nice; we’re excited for the team.” <

Windham varsity cheerleading’s hard work evident during state competition

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity cheering squad qualified for the state competition after finishing sixth in the regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 1. They competed at the state competition against schools from all over Maine at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, where they did a fantastic job.

Windham junior Maddi Kovats, front, with the Windham 
High Cheerleading Team behind her, synchronize a jump
as part of a cheer routine at the Augusta Civic Center 
during the state cheerleading competition on Saturday,
Feb. 8. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

Making it to the state competition was a huge goal for the team, so it was already a win, before they even took to the mat. Every Windham cheerleader was integral to the team’s success.

“They continued to come in every day with a positive attitude and mindset,” said Windham varsity cheerleading coach Amber DiRenzo Bushey. “They worked together as a team to perfect skills and gain new ones. It truly was a successful season. Our opening stunts I thought went really well, our dismount was a little off on one of them, but the actual skill itself went very well. The girls were determined and never gave up.”

DiRenzo Bushey said the Windham team changed all their tumbling routines before the state competition, and she thought that it went well.

“Our goal is to come out and do the best we can do. We just want to do better than last year and keep improving,” she said. “We improved our partner stunt technique as well. They put on a great performance at states; we couldn't ask for a more determined hard-working group of kids. I had a blast with these kids; they are all willing to work so hard, get new skills and try new things, it’s been awesome.”

The team dealt with a lot of challenges near the end of the season and had to rework the entire routine. The team has worked consistently on improving their stunts and tumbling skills. It worked all season to perfect their 360-switch up, and half-switch up, which they performed perfectly.

According to DiRenzo Bushey, Windham’s cheerleaders worked hard to hit coed switch-ups in their pyramid, which are extremely difficult. She said the team also worked hard to perfect their toe touch back handsprings and running tumbling and they all came together to put out the best routine possible.

“It was kind of sad that we didn’t have as many baskets,” said Windham senior Ella Roberts. “We did have one basket in the back that went high; our pyramid was pretty good because it showed off our coeds – when you only have two people under a stunt. As long as we’re proud of ourselves, it’s good either way, whatever we place, as long as we’re happy with (how we performed). Be proud of how far you’ve come, because inside it’s a lot.”

Windham senior Morgan Beck said that the team definitely got stronger through their performances and every time it was better and better. She said that she was happy with how the team performed and was glad she experienced her final competition with this team and was proud they gave their all.

“I’m so proud of us, we’ve been through a lot,” said Windham senior Talia Salazar. “We had to switch things around and I’m really proud of what we did today. I really love all the girls on this team.” <

Windham Unified basketball falls to Portland/Deering by one point

By Matt Pascarella

In a hard-fought game where Windham’s Unified basketball team gave their all, the clock wound down and Portland/Deering edged Windham, 40-39, on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Windham High School.

Windham senior Colby Schmid rises above his opponents
to make a one-handed shot during a Unified basketball
game against Portland/Deering on Wednesday, Jan. 29
at Windham High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham took several solid shots that just did not land late in the game.

“I think we did very well this game,” said Windham senior Colby Schmid. “We did better at getting inside (the paint). My buddy Zach and I struggled with the three-pointers. I think we did great at scoring, and I think we do need to work on passing.”

There were a lot of positive aspects shown during this game, including Windham players giving other players an opportunity to move the ball or go in to take a shot. Windham had several stellar opportunities they took full advantage of with Mary Jean, Maddi Small, Zachary O’Brion, Tristan Stanley, Colby Schmid, Jacob Smith and Jack Shirley showing true sportsmanship.

Windham moved the ball well and soon they were on the scoreboard. The Eagles had a small lead to start, but after some time the game was tied.

Portland/Deering took the lead, then Windham snatched it back; this was a very tight game. Windham defense worked hard to limit scoring opportunities for their opponent.

O’Brion had a nice turnover, and the game was tied 14-14 with less than four minutes left in the first half.

Midway through the game, Portland/Deering led, 18-16.

At the start of the second half, O’Brion hit a three-pointer; a few moments later he did it again. This remained a very close game. Windham rebounded and continued to work hard.

Schmid sunk a three-pointer. The game was tied at 24-24.

Portland/Deering took the lead. Windham tried very hard to flip the score, but time ran out.

It felt good for O’Brion to sink his two three-pointers he said. This was a very tough loss and Windham was so close. They need to work on defense and rebounds.

“A ton of rebounds (during this game) we’re hitting the board so much better,” said Windham Unified basketball coach Anne Blake. “Our problem is we’re not moving in to do the close, confident shots; we’re (attempting) too many three-pointers. The rebounds have improved and the team’s playing with a lot more unity. I just think all the partners and athletes worked really well together; we played in a festival last weekend, and this is our third game for the season, so I think we’ve really improved since our practice with the festival. I think the team is starting to improve and the teamwork is showing. Layups (need work).”

Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. <

Windham girls’ basketball crushes Falmouth on Senior Night

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham varsity girls’ basketball team crushed Falmouth 73-19 on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Windham High School.

Windham senior Stella Jarvais takes the ball to the basket
during a girls' prep basketball game against Falmouth on
Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Windham High School. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Before the game, the team honored Stella Jarvais on Senior Night and presented a gift for her and for her parents for their time and dedication to Windham athletics during Stella’s high school career.

“It’s something really special coming through the years of this program,” said Jarvais, who scored 26 points against Falmouth. “I love this team, and it’s really cool for them to recognize all the years I put into it. It’s kind of surreal (to maybe have played my last home game) because I will not be playing basketball beyond these years. It’s something special to share the court with my sister, because I will not be playing with her in college; so being able to spend this time with Mackenzie (Delewski) and my friends and my sister, it’s something really special.”

Windham came out strong and put up 19 points in just the first quarter. Windham sophomore Denali Momot sank a three-pointer. The squad’s incredible defense held Falmouth to just five points.

In the second quarter, Windham junior Marley Jarvais hit a three-pointer. Windham led by 20 and their offense would not be stopped. At the half Windham led, 37-12.

“I thought our team defense went very well tonight,” said Windham junior Chloe Delewski. “We did a great job defending the perimeter followed by boxing out and rebounding. I thought that tonight our offense was executed well but when we face stronger defenses, we will need to be sharper. It felt great getting this big win because we got the whole team involved and it was just an amazing show that we put on for the crowd. Stella leaving means ... we are losing one of our closest friends and outstanding players on the team. It won’t be the same without her next year.”

At the start of the second half, Windham’s lead grew to 30 points. They rebounded and Windham’s defense kept Falmouth scoreless in the third quarter.

“Passing, getting into our offense, being able to cut and read the defense, so stuff like that went well,” said Stella Jarvais. “Our shooting percentage went up. Just communication I feel like is always a thing that teams can work on; and turnovers, in a lot of the games that came close and came down to the last minute were due to turnovers, so limiting turnovers we can work on.”

In the fourth quarter, a block from Windham freshman Eliana Kostopoulos showed Falmouth who was in control.

Windham sophomore Leandra Woodman sank two three-pointers and Windham freshman Lauren Valle hit a three-pointer too.

“Tonight was about celebrating Stella and honoring her and her four years with us,” said Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes. “It was good for us to get out and run and put some points on the board. We had a lot of kids do that; we had a lot of kids score today. Good opportunity to kind of get up and down and climb ... the ladder towards the playoffs, just trying to get better every day. We were able to dip in that bench a bit earlier than we usually do and get some kids some experience and everybody did a good job. I think at times, we need to get them up and contest shots a little bit better on the perimeter. We got to contain shots a bit better – we did well today, but against better teams we’ve got to make sure we do that. Offensively we’ve got to move the ball, I thought we did well with that today. We’ve got to be strong at the rim, finishing inside and making our free throws when we need to.”

Artes said when Stella Jarvais came in as a freshman, her ability was raw, but she worked at it and improved over the course of her career. She’s a good teammate, plays hard, is a great defensive player and a great kid. <

Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey holds off Yarmouth/Falmouth

By Matt Pascarella

An early goal and strong defense from the Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey team made a real difference during a late-season game against Yarmouth/Falmouth. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak were able to keep their opponent scoreless and posted a 1-0 win on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the William B. Troubh Ice Arena.

Cheverus junior Ashley Cloutier of Windham goes after the
puck during a girls' prep hockey game against Yarmouth/
Falmouth on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the William B. Troubh
Ice Arena in Portland. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I thought we were playing a really good third period and we made some adjustments to our forecheck, until we took that penalty with about five minutes to go,” said the Cheverus/Windham/Medomak coach Scott Rousseau. “I thought we handled the last two minutes well; it’s always hectic ... but a great learning experience. We managed the puck well, we did not panic and not take icings and in the last minute I don’t think they really got a scoring chance. We only have four players back and I really hope these eight first-year players are ready for what’s coming; the playoffs are even more intense than this. If you interview (Yarmouth/Falmouth’s) coach, we made each other look bad, it was 1-0, it’s what good teams do to each other. We kind of took some of their strengths away, they took some of our strengths away. At the end we did show a lot of heart and character and find a way to win – and that matters.”

Cheverus/Windham/Medomak hit the ice with strong defense as these two teams were very evenly matched. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak moved the puck well and had intensity the entire game.

Cheverus sophomore Caroline Rousseau scored roughly halfway through the first period. Windham freshman Taylor Lucas had a solid check before the first period buzzer. It was 1-0 Cheverus/Windham/Medomak after one period.

In the second period, Cheverus/Windham/Medomak’s intensity remained, and their defense made sure to cut off scoring opportunities for Yarmouth/Falmouth. Cheverus goalie Ellie Skolnekovich had super-fast hands and kept a lot of pucks away from the back of the net.

“I see it as just another game,” said Skolnekovich, who had 21 saves during the game. “That’s my hometown – I get fired up when I play them, and I know their roster. It’s a 0-0 game in my head the whole way through and it’s really great. I think from the top down, we played really well; we played well as a team. We’re together ... and I think the biggest thing is I can’t thank my defense enough; I cover a puck and they’re right there to get people out of the way, I cover the puck, and they are right in front of me not letting anybody get to me and that’s really, really what builds our team up. I think we can pass the puck more and I think we can make less mental mistakes in the last two minutes of the game. I think we had a lot of adrenaline going and since it was a 1-0 game, it got a little bit intense at the end and I think that we can just build from there. I play a 0-0 game; my adrenaline was going, and I just played my game.”

Tensions built in the third and final period as both teams worked hard to put something up on the scoreboard. A block by Skolnekovich with a little over a minute left coupled with Cheverus/Windham/Medomak’s defense only amplified this team’s tenacity. They kept back Yarmouth/Falmouth until the last buzzer.

“I think our forecheck was able to set it up differently so we can contain their better players,” said Lucas. “Our goalie played amazing tonight; she saved us. We had some good forechecks towards the beginning of the third period that went well. I think that we just need to work on getting the puck out faster in ... the defensive zone and move our feet.” <

WHS boys’ basketball drops home matchup against Cheverus

By Matt Pascarella

Windham boys’ varsity basketball came out strong in their second game against Cheverus this season at Windham High School on Friday, Jan. 24. The Eagles were neck-and-neck with the Stags until late in the third quarter when Cheverus pulled ahead and stayed there until the final buzzer with Windham falling, 66-51.

Windham senior Creighty Dickson cuts toward the hoop
during a boys' prep basketball game against Cheverus
at Windham High School on Friday, Jan. 24.
PHOTO BY AIDEN HALL

“I thought we played well; we kind of didn’t play our game and kind of just let off the gas a little bit in the third and they started coming back and they are a totally capable team of doing that,” said Windham junior AJ Moody. “It just didn’t go our way; sometimes fouls get in the way and they had some good free-throw shooters. We need to play defense with our hands up, stay in front of our man help side and try not to slap down the ball and get fouls. We came down and beat ourselves tonight. I saw even though we got fouled we got back up and got right back at them, we shot our best, and I was really proud of all of our guys. We tried to do our thing, sometimes the outcome is not what we want.”

When Cheverus pulled ahead, Windham answered early and tied the game at 13. Windham senior Braycen Freese sank a three-pointer, then Moody followed Freese and connected from long range too.

At halftime, the game was tied at 27-27.

In the first two minutes of the second half, sophomore Colin Janvrin hit a three-pointer, then did it again a short time later.

The game remained tight until late in the third quarter, when Cheverus grabbed a small lead. By the fourth quarter they pulled away even further.

Freese hit another three-pointer, but as the game progressed, Windham was unable to make up the difference against the Stags.

“We got the right shots and the open shots,” said Windham senior Creighty Dickson, who scored 16 points. “We just weren’t hitting tonight – sometimes that happens. I thought our effort was there, we played hard until the end. I think our defensive intensity in the first half was really good, our ball movement was fantastic in the second half and the first half too. Getting back on defense, rotating and getting to the help side (needs work). This is a bump in the road, this is more motivation for the main goal.”

According to Janvrin, this loss will only make the team stronger. They will embrace it and turn up the intensity during practice, taking it game-by-game. Janvrin said they went in with a stronger mentality the last time they played the Stags; this time, they didn’t play as hard as they could and let up a bit toward the end. They’ve got to come out after halftime with the same mentality they had going into the game.

“Our guys played hard and it’s going to be a good game every time we play Cheverus,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “We had opportunities, we really liked what we got for looks and we missed them and that’s part of basketball. The fact that our guys fought the entire time that’s what I was proud of. (Cheverus) is a good team and we have some guys (injured) right now, and that’s ok and we’re just taking this game as a learning experience. We’ve got a lot of guys on our bench that are ready to play and ready to step up and that’s a great opportunity for them tonight and that’ll just only make us better and stronger. Colin’s a sophomore, he’s started two games now for Tyrie – that’s huge moments for him, we’re going to need him to step up big and he has. We’re extremely confident in who we have for guys. (What went) well (was) composure and fight, consistency in that was really good. Offensively, we got the shots that we wanted. At the end of the day, it’s being ready for those shots, and they weren’t bad misses, but it changes the game. We’re not fazed by this; this is only going to fuel us.” <

WHS swimming team holds own in tri-meet against Gorham, Greely

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s swimming team hit the road on Friday, Jan. 24 to compete in a tri-meet with Gorham and Greely at the Westbrook Community Center. Windham’s boys finished second with a score of 50 and their girls finished third with a score of 32.

Windham freshman Stephanie Roghelia showcases her
speed during a prep swimming tri-meet at the Westbrook
Community Center against Gorham and Greely on
Friday, Jan. 24. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“We’re in the middle, it’s the heart of the season, we’re swimming tired at this point,” said Windham High School swim coach Peter Small. “Even their first races when they were sluggish, when they came back their second and third races they broke through that sluggish barrier and came out with a lot of best times, which was awesome to see. If you can do that and break through when you’re tired, it’s a good sign for the future. Kids were able to not let the psychology of ‘I’m sluggish’ consume them and they broke through.”

Windham junior Pascal Hentsch qualified for the state championship and dropped 1.5 seconds off his time in the 100-yard breaststroke. He finished second in that event with a time of 1:16.84 minutes.

Also, in the 100 breaststroke, Windham freshman Mahiro Hammond finished fifth with a time of 1:30.98.

Windham Sophomore Sullivan Scharf finished first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.55 seconds. He finished second in the 200 freestyle with a 1:58.30 time.

Windham freshman Peter Funk had a first-place finish in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:11.15. In the 500 freestyle he finished second with a 5:12.59 time.

In the 50 freestyle, Windham freshman Beckett Bragdon had a 27.86 time and a fourth-place finish.

Windham freshman Rocco DiDonato finished sixth in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:21.33.

“I think we swam pretty good as a team,” said DiDonato. “I got better at my form in backstroke, because I don’t usually do backstroke. The team, I think we just swam faster and pushed ourselves harder. (We need) a bit more work on form and flip turns a little bit. I think we did pretty good.”

Windham freshman Stephanie Roghelia placed first in the 100 freestyle with a 1:00.19 time and the 50 freestyle with a time of 27.22.

“I think we did amazing,” said Roghelia. “I’m super happy with how everyone has improved, we did really good with teamwork and stuff. I think I did a good job with my flip turns and my breakouts, which I’ve been working on. We did really good cheering on each other, and I’m really impressed with our sportsmanship. I think one thing we can really improve on is to help lift up other teams as well and really bring the energy.”

In the 200-freestyle Windham senior Sarah Inman finished second with a 2:16.93 time. She also finished fourth in the 100-butterfly with a time of 1:16.03.

Windham senior Morgan Farley finished fifth in the 200 medley with a time of 2:46.88. Farley finished third in the 500-freestyle with a 6:26.67 time.

Windham sophomore Maya Fitts had a 4:19.35 time in the 200 medley and finished sixth. She also finished sixth in the 500 freestyle with a 9:00.09 time.

“We need to have more snap in our stroke and when we’re tired,” said Small. “Our turns really start to fall apart ... we just got to make sure that when we’re tired some of the technical aspect of those turns are still there. These guys are working so hard, so impressed with them, they’ll come through with that.” <