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.” <