Tremendous effort shown by Windham girls’ basketball in final home games of season

Senior Sarah Talon leaps to get off a shot during Windham
High School's final girls' basketball varsity home game of
the season on Thursday, Feb. 10 against Cheverus High. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

By Matt Pascarella                           

It was senior night during Windham girls’ basketball final home game against Cheverus on Thursday, Feb. 10 and Kayla Flanders, Kelsey Gerry, Carly Morey, Altanzul Naranbaatar, Riley Shaw and Sarah Talon were each presented with a small gift as a thank you for their dedication to Windham Athletics throughout their high school careers.

Talon received the Windham Youth Basketball Little Eyes Upon You Award presented by Maine Optometry. This award goes to a senior who demonstrates commitment to the youth in their community.

For Talon, knowing the younger athletes look up to her is a very good feeling. Leadership and community involvement is important to her.

Although the varsity team picked up the pace in the second half, Cheverus had pulled ahead and took this one 54-38.

The junior varsity girls battled and gained to the end, but Cheverus kept its distance and won 50-25.

Varsity

Cheverus took a lead in the first quarter as Windham pushed forward and moved the ball well. Windham sophomore Brooke Gerry hit a three-pointer in the second quarter. At the half, Cheverus led 34-18.

Talon said they adjusted at halftime to Cheverus’ defense. She said they knew they had to keep their heads up and keep going.

The Lady Eagles turned up the defense in the second half and prevented Cheverus from scoring as much as they had in the previous half.

Windham’s effort was there, but shots weren’t falling. With three minutes left, 11 points separated the teams.

Windham did not stop trying, but the Stags got away.

“We had a bad start ... little unorganized the first 12 minutes or so of the game,” said Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes. “We put some more pressure on them in the second half, but they made some shots early that really killed us.”

Artes said they’ve had a good, competitive year with big wins against Bangor and Thornton Academy. The team has improved from start to finish which is what they’re looking for.  

Junior Varsity

“I think we’ve had great success in getting the foundation of this program started,” said Windham girls’ JV coach Gretchen Anderson. “This is a great group of kids ... and they are keeping a positive attitude regardless of score. I’m really proud of them.”

Windham opened the game with a three-pointer by freshman Afomiya Timerga. Windham had an early lead, but the game soon turned close. Cheverus pulled ahead.

Windham remained aggressive and grabbed rebounds. Sophomore Hannah Peterson hit two three-pointers. Halfway through, Stags led 39-19.

Windham worked hard to be first to the ball and went after rebounds. Although Windham’s third quarter was scoreless, the Lady Eagles only allowed Cheverus to score four points during that quarter.

They kept up the intensity for the remainder of the game.

Freshmen Chloe Edwards and Alexis Redmon said Windham played well as a team. Edwards said passing and rebounding went well. Redmon said shooting went well in the first half. <