34th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl a resounding success for Windham’s Foster and Shriner Children’s Hospitals

By Matt Pascarella

Lewiston High School hosted one of the most anticipated events of the year, the 34th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl football game on Saturday, July 20 and this game is an honor for the selected Maine graduating seniors who get to play in it. The annual game helps raise money for Shriner medical facilities across North America who provide care and services to children and their families. This year’s game featured Windham High graduate Ezra Foster who played for the East team and although they lost, 49-18, Foster came up with a spectacular interception in the second quarter.

Windham High's Ezra Foster grabs an interception in the
second quarter of the 34th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl
at Lewiston High School on Saturday, July 20.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“It was really great to see all these kids that I’ve been playing against for the past four years becoming my new teammates and making bonds with them that I think will last,” said Foster. “It gave me some motivation because I’m playing for the guys who can’t be here on my team; I’ve got to perform.”

The Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic is a great honor for players as only a select few are chosen to play. Both teams spend a week working together and participating in team-building exercises. 

This year, the two Lobster Bowl teams raised an incredible $206,000 which goes directly to support the 22 Shriner non-profit medical facilities across North America which provide all kinds of treatment and medical support and care for children and their families regardless of their ability to pay.

“He’s prepared, he comes from a great background at Windham,” said East coach Dan O’Connell of John Baptist Memorial High School in Bangor of Foster. “He’s well coached, he comes into this game tested at a level that helps him compete because he’s been doing it already – he’s comfortable. When we need a big play, he reaches up and makes an unbelievable stop when needed. He’s a really good football player and we were lucky to have him in our camp and on our team. There’s not a more polite kid on our team, there wasn’t a more supportive kid on our team, and he was always willing to pick his teammates up. He’s just a kid who has a nose for the ball and in a game where the best players in the state play, he was at the top tier, and he should be proud of that.”

For Foster, while he said there was some apprehension at first to compete against former Windham opponents, it was fun to be around and play with and for these high school football rivals turned into friends.

“I know a couple kids from Bangor that’ve met him, and they said he’s the nicest kid they ever met,” said Foster’s East teammate and Bangor graduate Jack Schuck. “This is honestly a great representation of Ezra – he’s just a nice well-rounded character, he’s a great guy to be around; everybody loves him, everybody trusts him, he’s a great dude and it showed on the field too. That interception during the game was a great way to show his character. He's quiet, he’s humble and he’s great.”

In the sixth grade, Foster began playing football. It was his dad who encouraged him to play, and he said they would throw the football around in the yard. As soon as Foster first set foot on a football field, he says he instantly loved the game. He’s never really thought of himself as a big-time football player, but as he progressed, his skillset grew and his love for the game did as well.

“I wasn’t too nervous.” said Foster after the Lobster Bowl. “I knew it would be my last game, so I’d have to leave it all out on the field. I knew my teammates had my back and I had theirs. It’s an honor to play football and to help kids who aren’t able to do stuff every day. It’s so great to put on a show for people and raise money for Shriners Hospitals.”

Foster will attend the University of Maine at Orono next year to study finance; he says that he would eventually like to become a land developer and build houses in Maine. <

Windham Eagle Soccer Camp brings community together

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s Eagle Soccer Camp welcomed athletes of all skill levels from grades kindergarten through eighth grade for a second consecutive year. Campers are taught the skills of the game by Windham High School’s girls’ and boys’ varsity soccer teams as well as Windham High graduates with the week-long camp held at Windham High School from July 15 to July 19.

Windham sophomore Mackenzie Delewski showcases her
footwork at the second Eagle Soccer Camp run by
Windham's varsity girls' and boy's soccer teams held
at Windham High School on July 17.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Participants say that this was a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and learn from each other.

“You got ... alumni that’s back – I’m an alumnus and it’s great coming back,” said Windham varsity girls’ assistant coach Jim Stewart. “I think it’s a dream as a parent and a player in Windham to see this community come together and offer a camp for kids to come together and have fun. Soccer is a bit of a mechanism for community. We’re all together, we’re all having fun, we’re all enjoying our time together.”

Windham’s Eagle Soccer Camp teaches its participants about the game in a low-pressure environment with high success. The participants learn about Windham soccer and are given the skills to apply and succeed within the varsity program. Each day they are taught a move and the more moves they know the greater the chances for them to succeed.

“I’ve taught the kids my love for the game, and I just want to show them how much I love it and want them to enjoy it as much as I do,” said Windham senior and Eagle Soccer Camp eighth grade counselor Luke Cunniffe. “The kid’s energy is infectious, throughout the whole week so far – when I’m tired, they still have energy, so I got to keep up with them. It’s meeting and getting to know the high school coaches a year before they could potentially play for them. And meet some of their future teammates; it allows them to see what the program is before they get there so that’s something to look forward to when they get to high school.”

The counselors cultivate relationships and a connection with the kids. During the season, camp participants have fun cheering at the varsity games and those connections that are made last a long time.

“Summertime for me, as long as I can remember, has always been soccer camp when I was a kid,” said Eagle Soccer Camp organizer and Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “I remember how instructive, how fun, how much of a character-building moment that all was – great memories. Not only is it about trying to provide young players at every level an opportunity to learn more about the game, and have it be educational and technical ... but I want the program to be strong and the kids coming through to play the game the right way. The kids are making memories, they’re having fun, and they are being active and in the moment. You are also helping build the next generation of coaches.”

For Neal, seeing his players interacting and teaching camp members who are learning from one another puts a huge smile on his face. It's huge for Neal to have the younger kids show up at a high school game and root for players they are familiar with and look up to. He also wants the high school players to know they have a responsibility and set a good example for the younger players.

“I think it’s good to build up the youth; when we’re here it gives them someone to look up to – I just really wanted to be a part of that this year,” said Windham sophomore and counselor Mackenzie Delewski. “I think they’ve learned sportsmanship and how to work with others. The camp as a whole shows how we are all working together to make soccer better – they’re working to get better and we’re working to help them.”

Windham fourth grader Sammy Stubbert has had fun and has become a better soccer player through learning moves. It’s good interacting with the varsity players and he plans to cheer for them during their games. The moves he’s learned will help him on the soccer field.

“I had a lot of fun last year and got better on skill work,” said Windham eighth grader Carly Franzoni. “I love being with the coaches and counselors. They are really nice and it’s helpful – they teach you a lot of stuff.” <

Windham Youth Basketball’s 3-on-3 tournament a chance for all to enjoy sport

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Youth Basketball Association’s ninth annual 3-on-3 Sonic Coed tournament was held at the Windham Public Safety building on Sunday, July 21 and witnessed another solid turnout. The tournament is a chance for players of all ages from any town to compete in a friendly game of the sport they love.

Windham sixth grader Lucien Kri looks to pass during
Windham Youth Basketball Association's Sonic Coed
3-on-3 Tournament in Windham on Sunday, July 21.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“This all started with a good friend of mine, Dan Giguere,” said Windham resident Chris Sargent. “Having my kids play in it and ... these kids just have a love for basketball and it’s great to see; the future is so bright for Windham basketball.”

Giguere was a coach, teacher, father and very active in the community. Sadly, Giguere passed away in a car accident.

Seventh grader and Kennebunk resident Chase Lovejoy was asked to play by Steven DePaolo II who coaches his travel team. Lovejoy enjoys playing basketball and preparing for the winter season.

“I really like playing basketball during the summer, because I want to be ready for the season and this is fun,” said Windham sixth grader Sammi Wyman. “You get to know people that are on your team that you didn’t know before; and you get to play with them.”

The Windham Youth Basketball Association raised $1,500 through the event which will be split between the Windham Youth Basketball programs and the Windham High School basketball programs.

“It’s important because it’s fun,” said organizer Ben Delewski. “I enjoy refereeing it and playing in it; the coed aspect of it really strengthens Windham as a basketball town with a basketball culture.” <

Windham boys’ varsity summer soccer squad falls against Yarmouth

By Matt Pascarella

On a hot evening, Windham’s boys’ varsity summer soccer team traveled to Yarmouth where they fought hard for two halves on Thursday, July 11, but ultimately fell 1-0 to the Clippers.

Windham senior Preston Stretch sends the ball back into play
during a boys' summer soccer game on Thursday, July 11 at
Yarmouth High School. PHOTO BY MATT PASCERELLA   

“This is good for us, it’s a learning thing,” said Windham boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “We’re trying to figure out some spots on the field right now; we’re trying to develop a next man-up mentality. We’ve got some guys in the rotation that maybe haven’t played a team like Yarmouth yet. It’s a good wakeup call for us. I’m pleased with the response, we’ve made some adjustments tactically, late in the second half and we got [Yarmouth] back on their heels a little bit. We want to be not as passive but preemptive in regard to not only how we defend but how we move the ball. We got to get off our heels and be more communicative about what we’re doing with the ball and our intent. There were times where we tried to push it when we shouldn’t have pushed it. There were times where we shook off a ball that was the right ball to play but we just didn’t see it because we weren’t communicating. These are all early season things. The good news is there were moments when we were doing those things and it showed.”

According to Neal the great thing about summer is that there is no pressure; kids get the opportunity to play different spots and try different things as the team tries to find out who they are.

Early on, Windham was aggressive and stayed with the ball and worked to get in front of the ball. Their defense limited scoring opportunities for Yarmouth, though in the first half, Yarmouth scored shortly before the end of the half and led 1-0.

“In the first half we were really struggling to step to the ball; we were letting Yarmouth control the game,” said Windham freshman Sean Lebel. “We weren’t connecting passes with the midfield and the attack. We made that adjustment at halftime, and we were able to push the ball more and attack more on the offense. Everything starts in the summer, so we have to make sure we are going 100 percent right now and as it gets closer to the season, we have to make sure we are putting in the work and we’ll be ready for the year.”

In the second half, Windham’s intensity remained and continued passing the ball well. Windham senior goalie Lukas Hammond had several excellent saves. Windham defense prevented Yarmouth from scoring again. While Windham worked hard going after the ball with multiple shots at goal, they weren’t able to get anything in the net.

“I think playing such a strong team helped us see where we can improve,” said Windham senior Carter Engelman. “We’re a bit worried about finding replacements for the players we lost last year, but we found a lot of people who might be able to fill those roles.”

Engelman said confidence is the key to succeeding going forward. <

Windham boys’ JV summer basketball keeps Gray-New Gloucester at bay in final seconds

By Matt Pascarella

Windham boys’ junior varsity summer basketball team had a slow start in a game against Gray-New Gloucester and they were down at halftime on Monday, July 15 at Windham but quickly flipped the score and stayed out in front in a very tight game as the clock wound down. At the final buzzer, Windham walked off the court with a 42-40 win.

Windham JV freshman Carter Ammons goes up for a shot 
during a boys' summer basketball game at Windham High
School against Gray-New Gloucester on Monday, July 15.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
  

“At the start of the game it was rough,” said Windham freshman Carter Ammons. “We started to pick up near 15 minutes into the game, just pushing the ball fast; Gray-New Gloucester is a lot bigger and athletic than us; we just had to box out and we got boards and we beat them there. Our energy was there, we were picking up full court ... energy. There’s a lot of back-to-back drives; we don’t need to do that, we’re just forcing it in. Hold the ball, gather and be ready and not rush it.”

The game was close starting out. Gray-New Gloucester grabbed several turnovers and began to pull away.

Windham freshman Quraunte Pender sunk a three-pointer. Soon just a single point separated the two teams. Gray-New Gloucester remained ahead, while Windham worked to reverse the score. In the first half, several shots just weren’t falling.

Gray-New Gloucester had a significant lead, but not for long. Before the end of the first half, Windham freshman Werani Anthony sunk a three-pointer. Windham trailed 29-24 after the first buzzer.

“In the first half we had a bunch of unforced turnovers,” said Windham JV coach Cameron Brown. “On times we get down, it’s mostly stuff that we can control. Getting everybody on the same page at halftime was huge and that’s how we were able to turn things around in the second half. Trusting what we know [enabled Windham to keep the lead]. This group listens really well, they know what we’re trying to do, they know our system really well; trusting each other and trusting the system is huge for them. One of things we really haven’t worked on in practice is end-of-game stuff and when we are in close games what we need to do, especially when the other team is looking to foul, who we want with the ball. We haven’t really worked on a press breaker; definitely have to put one of those in because teams are going to press us all year.”

In the second half, Windham quickly made up the difference and midway through the half took the lead. Toward the end of the game, the score got tighter and with 37 seconds left to play, again, just one point separated the teams. With 26 seconds remaining and now two points separating the teams, Windham held off Gray-New Gloucester until the end.

“What I think led to the turnaround was we got the ball deep into the playmaker’s spot,” said Anthony. “The communication on the team was very good; we started moving the ball around once we saw that we were down. Our passing gave us the motivation to push further and move the ball more. I think we got the team to calm down and got them to settle the game down which helped us a lot. In close games I think we should slow the game down a lot more and keep possession of the ball and keep it moving. End game situations [need work]; we all got tensed up in the end and it caused us to throw bad passes inbound and caused more steals.” <

Gerry savors Miss Maine Softball honor following stellar high school career

By Matt Pascarella

Over the course of her four years as a Windham High School athlete, graduate Brooke Gerry accomplished a lot. She helped lead her varsity softball team to their first state championship in 2023, she’s a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, and has achieved 500 strikeouts, among many other accolades. On Tuesday, June 18 at Saint Joseph’s College, Gerry was named 2024 Miss Maine Softball, the top honor for a prep softball player in the state. She will attend the University of Rhode Island to major in Kinesiology and plans to become an athletic trainer or a sports medicine physician.

Windham graduate Brooke Gerry winds up to pitch on Friday,
May 24 against Cheverus at Windham High School in the 
final regular season softball game. Before the Class A and
Class B All-Star senior game at Saint Joseph's College,
Gerry was honored as this year's recipient of the Miss
Maine Softball award. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I feel so grateful and honored to be named Miss Maine Softball,” said Gerry. “I've worked extremely hard to get where I am and I'm appreciative that the committee awarded me for my hard work and dedication to my craft.”

The Miss Maine Softball honor is chosen each year by the Maine High School Softball Coaches Association and Edge Academy, a softball facility in Portland. It is awarded to the best senior softball player for this award. When statistics were compared from her regular senior season, Gerry’s numbers were consistent. She can compete both offensively and defensively.

Over the course of her entire senior season, including the playoffs, Gerry allowed only 23 hits. She had 149 strikeouts. At the plate, she batted .533 with 32 hits and 22 RBIs.

When Gerry looks back over the last four years, she realizes how much she’s had to grow and how much she’s learned through overcoming adversity. The challenges she faced made her stronger. She kept moving past obstacles in order to achieve her goals and she played within herself and with class. Gerry says that she is very proud of what she’s accomplished.

At the age of 4, Gerry began playing softball and by age 6 was pitching. Softball has always been a big part of her life and the relationships she’s made and the dedication to her teams have kept her going. She was able to play alongside her sister, for her mother, and with her best friend Ella Wilcox. Gerry was also coached by Fred Wilcox who believed in her and taught her so many life lessons; all this made Gerry love the game more.

“Beyond playing in the strongest division in the state – Southern Maine Activities Association, Class A, Brooke is easily one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “Any chance to get extra repetitions she takes, any chance to pitch to an extra batter in practice, she doesn’t hesitate. Brooke truly goes into every practice wanting to get better and that work shows in a game no matter what she is doing.”

Another thing that keeps Gerry going is the younger players that aspire to be just like her. She’s driven to be a good role model and to give back to the game that has given her so much throughout her career. When she’s down, she looks up and sees all of the younger players cheering her on and it instantly makes her push through. She’s given lessons and helped out with clinics and a summer camp for younger athletes.

“Through these I have been able to make unforgettable relationships with all of them,” said Gerry. “I try to make lasting relationships with these athletes and explain to them how I was just like them when I was younger; hoping it will inspire them to work hard and continue with the game.”

She attributes her successes to her hard work and dedication along with the support from her friends and family. There are a lot of people in her corner. She also wants to thank the people who wanted her to fail, because that lit a fire inside her and drove her to up her game.

“It's time to prove myself as a player and show that I'm ready for the next level,” said Gerry. “College softball is a different platform and I have to work that much harder to earn time in the circle.”

Gerry will play college softball for the University of Rhode Island starting this fall.

She plans to give back by giving lessons and eventually coaching softball in the coming years.

“Brooke is deserving of Miss Maine Softball because this award reminds me of dedication and the ability to strive for greatness and that’s what I think Brooke did throughout her entire softball career,” said teammate and Windham senior Stella Jarvais. “She has left a name for herself in the state of Maine for her career. She was able to go above and beyond just the game of softball by also positively impacting younger communities by all that she has achieved.” <

Windham I girls’ soccer upsets Freeport in substantial victory

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s girls’ summer soccer team, known as Windham I, and made up of returning varsity players, played Freeport in a mid-season game at Windham High School on Monday, July 8. Windham was an incredibly cohesive unit and dominated the field to shut out Freeport, 6-0.

Windham junior Myla Vercoe looks to pass on Monday, 
July 8 during a summer soccer game against Freeport at
Windham High School. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I think that the team’s communication and how well we connected our passing tonight helped us a lot,” said Windham junior Marley Jarvais, who scored three of Windham’s six goals. “Every game this summer we’ve managed to do a very good job at those two things, and I think that’s what is helping us out with scoring a lot. The bond we all have with each other off the field as a team helps us so much when we step onto the field.”

The goal of the summer soccer season is to come together and play as a group, it helps identify leaders among the team and allows athletes to play a variety of positions before preseason starts. The team is able to bond and really get to know one another. It’s a laid-back atmosphere and while winning is nice, the goal is for athletes to improve themselves.

Despite the heat, Windham kept up their intensity for two halves. 55 seconds into the first half, Jarvais scored. A short time later, she launched a ball that found the back of the net.

Windham moved the ball well, communicated and had rock solid defense, which limited Freeport’s chances significantly. The Lady Eagles commanded the field with multiple shots on goal and led 2-0 at the half.

“Our chemistry is definitely getting a lot better, especially as a team,” said Windham junior Myla Vercoe, who scored in the second half. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which really helps on the field with who can do what and having trust in our team with who can finish and make those goals. I’ve benefited [from playing summer soccer] a lot from becoming more self-confident ... through obviously practice and getting a lot closer with the team it’s made me go out of my comfort zone and try new things and get new skills. I’m really excited for this upcoming season because we work so well together.”

According to Jarvais, playing summer soccer helps her get extra touches on the ball and try new stuff before fall begins. It also gives her the opportunity to see how her opponents may play before the regular season starts.

In the second half, Windham kept the pressure on Freeport. They had multiple shots on goal early on and remained a strong team. Jarvais and Vercoe both scored; freshman Emily Wardwell followed, and sophomore Isabella Vassoler knocked one in.

“We’re off to a great start,” said Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel. “I feel like kid’s dedication ... they’re trying things in the summer that they’re afraid to do in the regular season. Here we’re like ‘make all the mistakes you want,’ and it’s really taken their game to another level. Tonight, we saw kids all over the place ... and that was fun to see. Our bench is going to be pretty strong this year. We’re looking forward to the fall. Our switching fields went really well tonight; we’re learning to not take those outside shots right at the goalie, we’re putting them more on the six to give our teammates the opportunity to score rather than kicking it right to the goalie. A lot of Windham players have played together for a while, so they are communicating really well.” <