Windham boys’ basketball varsity and junior varsity fall to Edward Little; first team gets first program win in three years

Windham senior Matthew Fox gets off a shot in mid-air during
the Eagles' boys' varsity basketball game against Edward Little
at Windham High on Thursday, Dec. 23. Edward Little won, 
63-31. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s boys’ basketball teams took on Edward Little before the holiday break and while the varsity lost 63-31 and EL beat the junior varsity 55-39, Windham’s first team got the program’s first win in three years against the Eddies.

The first team played a strong game and came out on top 52-35 on Thursday, Dec. 23, at Windham.

Varsity

The game was tied at seven early on. EL broke away but Windham’s defense kept their lead small. Windham took advantage of EL errors to bridge the gap. Windham senior Will Mannette sunk a three. EL’s offense surged and led 33-16 at the half.

"It’s a reality check ... right now,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “We’ve got to find a way to compete and get better ... guys got to come to work every day and improve and stick together no matter what.”

Pulkkinen said some of Windham’s younger players have stepped up and taken advantage of opportunities they’ve been given.

“We’re giving up early,” said Windham senior Matthew Fox. “We need to find something in us – mental toughness to pull ourselves out ... we need to work together and play as one.”

Fox added Windham is good enough to where they can get open shots, not just the first ones they see.

Windham put 15 points on the scoreboard in the second half, but EL took this one.

Junior Varsity

Although Edward Little had a small lead early on, Windham was not far behind. They were quick to get rebounds and gained on the Eddies. Windham shots weren’t landing.

Windham’s defense kept EL from scoring a lot in the first half. Windham freshmen Conor Janvrin and Joseph Blige both scored three-pointers. As did Windham junior Chase Wescott. Two points separated the teams shortly before the end of the half, but EL edged out 28-23 before the buzzer.

“We could play a lot better as a team,” said Windham freshman Landen Leavitt. “Just moving the ball around better and taking better shots.”

Leavitt said they had good defense at times, but overall, they need to play better as a team.

The Eagles worked hard to catch up in the second half. Windham fought, but EL got by.

Windham boys’ basketball JV coach Geoff Grigsby said the team did better seeing those areas that need work and fixing them in the moment. He said there are some talented players on the team, but they need to pay better attention to detail. The team took a step in the right direction today toward understanding what it takes to improve.

First Team

Windham was up by two after one quarter. It was close, but Windham maintained their lead for most of the game.

Windham freshmen Braycen Freese and sophomore Owen Dakin sunk three-pointers. Windham sophomore Stevie Stewart sunk two three-pointers in the first half.

Windham moved the ball well and got rebounds. Windham sophomore Dan Mitchell scored at the buzzer and Eagles led 26-19.

The Eagles kept up their intensity in the second half. Windham’s communication had them up by 10 at one point. They pressured and continued to be first to the ball. The Eagles would not be caught by the Eddies.

Mitchell said they got the win through a lot of team effort and playing together.

“These kids show up every day working their butts off,” said Windham boys’ basketball first team coach Noah Estey. “[This win] is them putting in the hard work ... and trusting in each other and going out and doing what they need to do.” <

Trail Blazers earn 2-1 hockey win over Gorham in overtime, remain undefeated

Trail Blazer and Windham High senior Aiden Hartwell glides
toward Gorham's goalie to take a shot at goal on Wednesday,
Dec. 22 at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham
during the Windham/Westbrook/Bonny Eagle Trail Blazer
hockey game. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Westbrook/Bonny Eagle Trail Blazers had quite a game in their first home game of the season against Gorham. The Trail Blazers tied the game after two scoreless periods. Trail Blazers Bonny Eagle senior Logan Caron scored with 46 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

The Trail Blazers’ Sacopee Valley sophomore James Ritter fired the winning shot in overtime for the 2-1 win on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.

The Trail Blazers moved the puck early on and were aggressive. Gorham had a few shots on goal, but Trail Blazers’ defense kept the Rams scoreless.

The two teams took roughly equal shots at their opponent’s goals and remained scoreless in the second period.

Windham’s Aiden Hartwell said the Trail Blazers started slow, but once Gorham scored, Trail Blazers gained momentum and knew they needed a goal.

The Trail Blazers turned up the intensity in the third period and matched Gorham’s goal with Caron’s to tie the game 1-1 with less than a minute remaining.

Caron said he was pretty sure he got the pass from Hartwell and saw an opening in the net. He let the puck rip and saw it bounce in the back of the net.

Windham freshman Sam Foley said Gorham was beating the Trail Blazers to a lot of puck battles and the Trail Blazers were not ready in the first two periods. In the third period they won more puck battles which got them more opportunities.

Ritter shot the puck past Gorham’s goalie 4:36 into overtime assisted by Hartwell and Bonny Eagle senior Bobby Fothergill.

“There was a lot of bodies in front, and I knew the goalie couldn’t see much,” said Ritter. “So, I tried to put it low ... and it just went in.”

Ritter said they lifted each other up, whether in the locker room or on the bench and that led to this win. They realized what they had to do, and they did it.

“They came out a little flat; it’s their first home game in two years,” said Trail Blazers coach Bobby Fothergill. “I think it took them a couple periods to settle in. Ultimately, they executed; they dug deep ... they wanted it, they worked it and they willed themselves that win. It’s a good character win – I’m very proud of them.” <

Coaches banquet honors Windham fall soccer athletes

Windham High freshman Stella Jarvais, left, junior Abbey
Thornton, senior Sarah Talon, and Windham girl's soccer
coach Deb Lebel gather at the 46th Maine Soccer Coaches
All-Star Banquet in Bangor on Sunday, Dec. 5. Jarvais made
the 'Southern Maine Calss A All-Star Team.' Thornton and
Talon each made 'Southern Maine State,' 'Southern Maine 
Class A All-Star' and "All-Region' teams. Thornton was
named 'Class A Player of the Year' and Lebel was honored
as 'Coach of the Year.' PHOTO BY ALLISON TALON   

By Matt Pascarella

The Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star Banquet awarded players and coaches from all over the state on Sunday, Dec. 5 in Bangor. Windham’s Stella Jarvais, Abbey Thornton, Sarah Talon, Sam Glicos and Wyatt Flibbert each received honors.

Windham senior Sarah Talon and junior Abbey Thornton each made the “Southern Maine State,” “Southern Maine Class A All-Star” and “All Region” teams.

Thornton was named “Class A Player of the Year”.

“This season was one I will remember forever,” said Thornton.

The best part of Thornton’s amazing season was by far sharing such an incredible experience with her best friends and family. 

Freshmen Stella Jarvais made the “Southern Maine All-Star” team.

Jarvais said it was more surreal than anything to be selected at the banquet, especially in her first year. The team made her comfortable enough to play her best. She was playing for them, to get the experience they had.

Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel said Jarvais was a fierce competitor and stepped onto the field with the confidence of a veteran player. Jarvais never backed away from a play; Lebel is excited to have her back for three more seasons.

Thornton and Talon had 30 goals each for the season, which is rare. Lebel said both had a team-first attitude and played hard for 80 minutes every game.

Lebel added Thornton knows the game well and is extremely deserving of “Class A Player of the Year.” She is a leader on and off the field.

Lebel was named “Coach of the Year” for all New England, large school. She doesn’t feel like she does anything above what other coaches do, so this award is very humbling.

Windham seniors Wyatt Flibbert and Sam Glicos both made the “Southern Maine Class A All-Star” and “All-State” teams. Glicos was also made the “All Region” team.

“These were the two best players, on a team that was the top in conference during the regular season,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Ben Schulz. “Sam and Wyatt both have put in countless hours working on their games, ... speed and agility.”

It felt terrific for Glicos to be a part of the Coaches Banquet. It meant a lot to him confidence-wise. It has always been a goal of his to make the New England team.

He owes it all to the team and the guys setting him up every game.

“It felt great to see not just me but other members of Windham getting the recognition they deserve,” said Flibbert. “It feels good to know I left Windham soccer on such a positive note and that this team has such a bright future.” <

Windham High girls’ basketball turns in solid effort against Gorham

Windham varsity senior Sarah Talon gets above a Gorham
defender to take a shot at the basket during the Lady Eagles' 
home basketball opener on Dec. 10.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s junior varsity and varsity girls’ basketball teams both put in solid efforts against Gorham in the home opener on Dec. 10. Both Windham teams fought hard to make up the difference in games where the Rams had pulled ahead early.

The varsity team had a better second half but eventually lost 66-47. The Lady eagles JV team improved as the game went on, but the Rams won by 61-7.

Varsity

Gorham pulled ahead early on. Windham was quick to get rebounds. A couple foul shots by senior Sarah Talon put Windham on the scoreboard.

The Lady Eagles were aggressive, but Gorham had a 10-point lead after one quarter.

Windham junior Elizabeth Levesque stole the ball from Gorham and passed to senior Carly Morey who put two more points on the scoreboard.

Once Windham gained momentum, they began to close the gap. They took multiple shots at the basket, but not everything fell. At the half, it was 43-19, Gorham.

In the first half I think we came out slow-ish,” said Levesque. “We wanted to adjust, and we knew we could come back and get better. I think we really worked hard defensively, like pushing the ball. We knew that Gorham could run, so we really hustled [in the second half].”

Although Gorham was still ahead in the second half, more Windham shots fell.

Windham senior Sarah Talon put 13 points on the scoreboard in the second half.  Windham kept up their efforts until the final buzzer.

Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes said the team pressured and moved the ball better defensively in the second half. Artes said they need to do a better job executing and focus on getting better.

Junior Varsity

Gorham took the lead early and although Windham tried hard, as they went after the ball and captured rebounds, they remained scoreless. Windham defense did tighten up on the Rams and allowed less points to be scored in the second quarter. At intermission, Gorham led 27-0.

Windham freshman Grace Joly said the third quarter was the team’s best because the team realized how much energy they needed to make baskets. They figured out their offense and had good passes and drives, plus good defensive stops.

Windham stayed with the ball in the second half. Freshman Afomiya Timerga put Windham on the scoreboard. The Lady Eagles continued to get rebounds, but Gorham pulled away. Joly scored twice plus sunk a foul shot in the third quarter. Windham did not get down on themselves and kept up their efforts until the end.

“I think the girls started to get a little bit more confident and a bit more comfortable in the second half,” said Windham JV girls’ basketball coach Gretchen Anderson. “For a lot of the girls this is their first high school experience [on the court]. I’m proud of the turnaround in the second half; we were able to push the ball a little bit more, keep within our offense and the girls stayed positive on the bench.” <

Raymond’s girls’ and boys’ basketball team’s skills improving

By Matt Pascarella

Raymond’s Jordan-Small Middle School girls’ and boys’ basketball teams showed they are getting better each and every game when they played Sacopee Valley, at JSMS, on Thursday, Dec. 9.

Raymond eighth-grader Gavin Lawler soars into the air to take
a shot during Jordan-Small Middle School's home game against
Sacopee Valley on Thursday, Dec. 9.
PHOTO BY MATT PSCARELLA  

The Raymond girls team wasted little time and were soon an unstoppable force that could not be caught. Raymond walked off the court with a 24-6 win over the Hawks.

The Raymond boys squad continues to improve all the time and they worked hard and took several shots at the basket, but not as many as they would have liked were dropping in. After four quarters, Sacopee Valley posted a 42-13 win.

Girls

Raymond was aggressive right away and put the ball up multiple times in the first quarter. Raymond seventh-grader Isabella Vassoler scored first. After that Raymond added point after point to the scoreboard.

“We did a lot more teamwork,” said Vassoler. “We were passing more ... we stayed with our opponent.”

She added everybody did well and they’ve improved a lot since their last home game.

Raymond got rebounds and kept up the intensity. Raymond eighth-grader Briella Beers got a layup. Raymond continued going after the ball and took many shots at basket. Halfway in, Raymond led 14-2.

Raymond eighth grader Audrey Getchell scored early in the second half. Raymond kept up the intensity and continued to work hard. Raymond eighth-graders Jada Stewart and Corey Brackett scored. Raymond kept the hustle up until the final buzzer.

“They played together a lot more and were looking for each other,” said Raymond girls’ basketball coach Jim Beers. “Also better on defense ... now they know how to protect and help out when their teammate gets burned.”

Boys

Sacopee Valley managed to get several turnovers, which gave them a lead early on, but Raymond kept their heads up. They had several shots at basket, with many good attempts that just weren’t falling.

Eighth-grader Ethan Swett put Raymond on the scoreboard. Raymond eighth-grader Braedyn Elwell sunk two three-pointers before the end of the first half.

Sacopee pulled away, but Raymond stayed with the ball. At the half, the Hawks led 25-8.

Raymond boys’ basketball coach Andrew Wing told the team after the game, the scoreboard was only half the story.

“Every game of the season has been more competitive,” said Wing. “I’m seeing they are working harder; they are staying together. The team is getting better, they are getting shots and they’re going to fall at some point.”

In the second half, Raymond moved the ball well and took advantage of several rebound opportunities. Raymond seventh grader Nick Allen sunk two foul shots toward the end of the game to help close the gap.

Raymond worked hard as a team up until the final buzzer.

“We need to work on our defense a little bit more; like boxing out or getting rebounds,” said Allen.

Allen said that he thinks they’ll do better in upcoming games. <

Windham boys’ basketball tunes up for new year with preseason wins against Gray New Gloucester

Windham senior Will Mannette sinks one of his four
three-pointers during a preseason game against Gray
New Gloucester on Dec. 6 at Windham High School.
Windham won, 60-50. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

In the final preseason game before the start of the regular season on Friday, Dec. 10, the Eagles’ junior varsity and varsity boys’ basketball teams hit the court against Gray New-Gloucester in preseason matchups on Monday, Dec. 6.

The Windham varsity team pulled ahead early in the game and held on to that lead for four quarters with Windham wining 60-50.

Although GNG took an early lead, that did not last long during the JV game. The Eagles turned it around to win 72-62.

Varsity

Windham won the tip off and scored immediately. Windham senior Nick Garrison hit a nice three-pointer as Windham began to pull away.

The Eagles dominated the first quarter and kept up the pace for the remainder of the game. There were several times GNG closed the gap a little, but Windham was quick to widen it again.

Windham senior Will Mannette sunk two three-pointers before the end of the first half and Windham led 34-27 at the intermission. 

In the second half, the Eagles kept the pressure up.

“I knew [Gray New Gloucester] was going to come in hungry ... and try to get a win tonight so they could get ready for their season as well,” said Windham varsity basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “Our guys played together, very unselfish.”

Pulkkinen added they preach to the team to trust each other on the floor and good things will happen. That was the case during this game.

The Eagles continued strong passing as Windham held a pretty consistent 10-point lead for a majority of the second half.

Windham junior Owen Combes sunk a three-pointer in the third quarter. Windham junior Sonny Elder sunk a three in the fourth, followed by Mannette who put two more threes in from the top of the key.

“A lot of our guys were hitting our shots,” said Windham senior Nick Garrison. “Everyone was moving through the offense. I would drive and [my teammates] would be there in their spots. Everyone was working on a great team effort overall.”

Junior Varsity

Windham scored right at the start of the game. GNG got a little ahead in the first quarter, but Windham quickly responded. Windham freshman Creighty Dickson sunk a three as Windham worked to get ahead in the first half.

Dickson said the team shot the ball well and had great defense and energy.

Windham pressured; junior Jacob Chouinard blocked a shot from GNG and then he put the ball in the hoop.

Elder sunk four three-pointers in the second quarter.

Four minutes left in the half and Windham was up by one. Eagle’s defense turned up the heat and increased their lead. Windham led 41-33 at the half.

Windham sophomore Blake McPherson sunk a three-pointer. Elder sunk another three, too. As the clock wound down, Windham would not be caught.

“It’s hard when you are one or two practices in and another team is kind of your equal,” said Windham JV coach Geoff Grigsby. “We have some pretty tough kids, not just talented but tough-minded kids. I was proud of the way they responded and ... played together.” <

Windham’s Aiden Hartwell and 18U Maine Moose hockey celebrate state title

Windham High senior Aiden Hartwell holds the 18U Maine
Moose state championship banner alongside sister Libby
Hartwell after the Maine Moose won the best of three games
state championship series against the Maine Junior Black Bears
on Sunday, Nov. 7 at the Camden National Bank Ice Vault in
Hallowell. PHOTO BY KIM HARTWELL 

By Matt Pascarella

The Maine Moose ice hockey team is a program geared toward giving its athletes the opportunity to play hockey at a high level with athletes from all around the state.

The Tier 2 18U Maine Moose team, after an incredible season kept their winning streak going and made it to the state championship with Windham High senior Aiden Hartwell a key player on that squad.

The Moose beat the Maine Junior Black Bears two games to none in a best of three-game series played Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7 at Camden National Bank Ice Vault in Hallowell.

Organizers say that the Moose Hockey program wants to give its athletes the opportunity to develop as hockey players and people and that was evident during the team’s success leading up to the title game.

This 18U Maine Moose Hockey team was the No. 1 seed going into the playoffs after they finished their regular season with a record of 20-1-1.

“This group had lots of talent,” said 18U Maine Moose Hockey coach Jeff Ross. “We had great balance in all the lines. With a group like this that comes from different areas and school, sometimes they don't gel very well, but this group was able to come together very quickly and fill any roll that was needed on the team.”  

This was Hartwell’s first year playing on the Maine Moose team. He said playing for them helped him develop his skills, but most importantly taught him how to win in big situations.

“With us being the best team in the league we always had a target on our back,” said Hartwell. “Teams were coming for us knowing that we were the best team; they tried their best to beat us.”

When the 18U Maine Moose Hockey team entered the round robin tournament on Friday Oct. 29 they beat the Maine Junior Black Bears 5-3. After the Moose tied with Casco on Sunday, Oct. 31, they won their game against the Maine Evolution, 4-1, the same day. Maine Moose was ranked as the No. 1 seed as they entered the semifinals.

“Playing for the Maine Moose was really great,” said Gardiner senior Chase Kelley. “We had a really high work ethic as a team on and off the ice ... one of our biggest contributions to our successful season was our coaching, they know the game inside and out and that goes a long way.”

While the team had a slower start in the round robin tourney, once they made it to the semifinals against the No. 4 seed Gladiators, this 18U team had found their game and took advantage of some costly Gladiator penalties, ousting them with a 5-1 win which advanced Maine Moose to the state championship.

In the championship series, which was a best-of-three games event, Game One pitted the Moose against the Maine Junior Black Bears again. With four minutes remaining in the game and the score was tied at 2-2, the Maine Moose came back to win 5-2.

On Sunday, Nov. 7, the Maine Moose shut out the Bears 5-0 to become state champions.

This will be Hartwell’s first time playing for a squad headed to the National Tournament, and he said he is excited to see what the competition is like.

Ross said strong team play and great talent that works together is what led to the 18U team winning the state championship. 

“To win the state championship in my first year with the Moose means a lot to me,” said Hartwell. “To go in with a bunch of new faces and kids I haven't played with before helped me improve as a player.”

The Maine Moose will travel to California in April for the National Championship Tournament. <

Coach positively impacts RSU 14 athletics in many ways

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity girls' soccer assistant coach Chris Aube,
left, holds Windham's third state championship ball with Coach
Deb Lebel and assistant coach Jen Sullivan on Nov. 6 at
Massabesic High School. Aube has been involved with
Windham athletics for five years now. 
PHOTO By ALLISON TALON   

Windham coach Chris Aube has been involved with Windham athletics in some form or another for five years. He’s an assistant coach for the varsity girls’ soccer team but is also an announcer for Windham’s varsity volleyball team, varsity boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams and Windham’s unified basketball team.

He will be entering his fifth season as coach for Massabesic’s varsity girls’ basketball team and his 25^th year as a head coach.

Aube’s family got him interested in athletics. His grandfather was an All-American pitcher at Fordham University and was drafted by the New York Yankees. Aube’s father coached baseball. Aube played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring.

Between seasons, Aube found a gym or outdoor court to play. He played three sports in high school and four years of college basketball. The friendships he formed through athletics are still strong today. Aube said he was fortunate to have had some great coaches and educators.

Since sports were a major part of his upbringing, being a coach scratched his competition itch. He served as a volunteer coach, worked camps and would scout for whomever would take him.

Initially he got into coaching for the competition, but now it’s about the relationships he’s built with the players.

“There is a bond between player and coach that cannot be replicated in the classroom,” said Aube.

His biggest coaching influences are his father and his Westbrook High School basketball coach, Art Dyer. Aube is still close with his teammates from Westbrook, and they frequently talk about lessons they’ve learned and how they can apply them to student athletes. Aube hopes he has the same impact on the players he is fortunate to coach.

Massabesic senior basketball player Emily Jacobs said Aube always has his player’s best interests at heart and creates a comfortable, fun environment that allows the team to prosper. He has taught his players to always strive to be better.

Before coming to Windham, Aube worked in athletics at Thomas College where he was an admissions counselor and coached the women’s basketball team and was named two-time coach of the year.

Aube also coached men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball for one season at Thomas College.

After he left Thomas College, he taught at Buckfield High School coaching varsity girls’ soccer. He’s coached varsity girls’ soccer at Gray-New Gloucester and Westbrook High School, too.

“Chris is definitely a great coach to have working with the team,” said Windham varsity girls soccer Coach Deb Lebel. “He has a great sense of humor that he brings daily and helps him connect with the team; he loves ... bringing creative drills to practice and pushing athletes to play at a higher level.”

Aube was in awe of the girls’ soccer team this season. He said what they did is a tremendous accomplishment, but to accomplish a win like that when everyone expects you to win adds a lot of pressure. Windham brought their ‘A’ game every night.

“Playing for coach Aube is very easy and relaxing,” said Windham varsity soccer junior Abbey Thornton. “He is so supportive and just wants everyone to do their best. It's fun to play for Aube because he is so passionate about soccer, and you want him to be proud of the way we represent him.”

Aube grew up in Westbrook and still lives there. He has been at Windham for 10 years and teaches social studies. He earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Thomas College. <

U-12 Windham girls' soccer team reaches state finals

Windham sixth-graders Madison Buzulchuck, left, hugs Ashley
Anderson with Morgan Clark and Anna Bowie in the background
after the final horn in Windham's 3-0 win over Kennebunk in
the youth soccer playoffs on Oct. 24 in Cumberland. 
PHOTO BY BRANDI GOOD 

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham Youth Soccer Association U12 girls’ team had a solid season and did very well in the playoffs. As they went into the postseason, they were 11^th seeded with a 2-4 record. Windham showed other towns just how tough they were and rose through the ranks to make it all the way to the state finals.

During the playoffs, Windham kept their opponents scoreless on the Lady Eagles’ road to the finals. Windham first defeated seventh seeded Cumberland, in Cumberland, 2-0 on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Next, Windham beat third seeded Kennebunk 3-0 on Sunday, Oct. 24 also played in Cumberland. During this game, Windham had great defense and goalkeeping.

Windham goalie and sixth grader Jennifer Schwarz had between eight and 10 good saves during the Kennebunk game. This win was revenge for Windham from a 3-1 loss to Kennebunk earlier in the season.

Windham took on second seeded Gorham on Sunday, Oct. 31 in Gorham. Windham sixth grader Emily Wardwell got a hat trick and scored all goals and Windham advanced to the state finals after an outstanding 3-0 win.

“I feel like we all learned a lot as the season went on,” said Windham sixth grader Madison Buzulchuck. “We knew we could make it to the finals as we were playing our best soccer going into the tournament and having a lot of fun doing it."

The state final game was against Scarborough at Hunter Road Fields in Freeport on Sunday, Nov. 7. Windham never gave up. After Scarborough scored in the first half, Windham played strong in the second half but couldn’t find a way to score. Windham played with a lot of heart and confidence, but came up short, 1-0.

Windham Youth Soccer Under-12 coach Ryan Buzulchuck said that he enjoyed getting to know the girls as this was his first year as their coach. The team worked hard all season and peaked at the right time as they entered the playoffs. As he watched Windham through the years, he always knew the talent and potential they had.

Buzulchuck said Windham played to the best of their ability; whenever they were on the field, they played with all the confidence in the world. He was excited to have been give the opportunity to coach alongside Jason Bowie.

Schwarz could not be happier with how the team played and fought during the finals. She said they were one, not 17 individuals.

“It was a lot of fun playing with my friends and it felt like the competition was harder this year, so we had to work harder and together to win,” said Windham sixth grader Ashyn Good. “Getting to state finals I was so happy for the team and felt proud to have contributed to that.” <