Varsity boys give it their best shot by Matt Pascarella

The Windham Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team travelled to the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland to battle Edward Little for the Maine Principal’s Association Boys Basketball Northern Regional game. The game took place last Friday, February 23.
 

#2 - Mike Gilman takes it to the hoop

The Eagles were off to a fierce start; scoring five points in less than three minutes.

Windham had great teamwork and communication and was working to get the ball in the net. After the first quarter Edward Little was up 11-8.

The Eagles came into the second quarter not backing down and ready to pull ahead. They pressured Edward Little with multiple shots on baskets including a few three pointers.

At the half: 19-15, Edward Little.

As Windham took to the court for the second half, they continued to show Edward Little this game was far from over . . . and how right they were. Edward Little held on to a small lead until the very end of the third quarter, when Mike Gilman put up a three pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 32.

Nick Curtis moves passed Edward Little to score

In the fourth, Windham was giving 110 percent, and they were aiming to get a jump on Edward Little’s lead. The Eagles’ assertiveness and teamwork wasn’t able to close the gap, and Edward Little won, 50-35. Although the outcome wasn’t what Windham wanted, Windham made history as the first basketball team to make it to Regionals since 1966. 

Coach Chad Pulkkinen commented on the game:

“Our guys came in confident and prepared but sometimes things just don’t work out. I was proud of the effort our guys put forth. We were ready for this game and prepared well . . . it was one of those games that just didn’t come together for us.”

He went on to talk about his team and their season:

“When I took this program, the seniors were sophomores and just ready to work. These kids were super coachable; they gave me everything they had for three straight years . . . early mornings, late nights. They believed in me, I believed in them and the season is just a mirror image of these kids, they don’t give up, they fight to the end, they’re super talented because they work super hard.”

Congrats to the boys on a great season!