Windham boys’ basketball progresses since last game with Portland

Windham varsity senior Will Mannette shoots a three-pointer
early in Windham's home game against Portland on Monday,
Jan. 31. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

By Matt Pascarella

After tough losses to Portland on the road late last month the Windham High School boys’ varsity and junior varsity basketball teams had much better games at home against Portland on Jan. 31.

The Windham varsity team lost by 12 at Portland previously. Windham fought hard, but the Bulldogs slipped by with a razor thin 45-44 win.

The JV team lost by over 40 points at Portland previously, but this home game was much closer, and Portland won 54-42.

Varsity 

After the end of the first quarter, Portland led by five points. Windham senior Will Mannette hit several three-pointers in the first half. At the end of the half, Portland led 25-16. 

Mannette said they could have gotten more rebounds, but their defense and energy on the bench kept them going throughout the game. Overall, he thought they played well.

Early on in the second half, only three points separated the teams.

With 12 seconds left in the third quarter, Windham sophomore Blake McPherson tied the game at 36.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Windham led, then Portland was up by two.

The game was tied at 43 with less than two minutes on the clock.

With 57 seconds left, Windham was up by one.

With three seconds remaining, Windham senior Nick Garrison made a last-ditch shot and while some questionable calls may have been made, time ran out.

“We’ve fought adversity all year,” said Windham boys’ varsity basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “These guys can’t catch a break, but they are fighting every day and they are realizing the team they have to become to be able to compete at this level. Tonight, was a perfect example of these guys coming together and fighting the No. 2 team in our league.”

Pulkkinen added this was a hard loss, but because of factors like less players on the bench, in-game injuries along with guys stepping up into new roles, this was an internal win for the team.

Junior Varsity

Windham junior Sonny Elder started the game with a three-pointer. The game was tied at five.

The teams traded off the lead throughout the game. Windham moved the ball well. As the Eagles gained momentum, Windham tied the game at 22. Then the game was tied at 24.

At the half, Portland led 32-24.

Windham sophomore Beni Ninziza said movement, ball movement, defense and communication went really well during the game.

“It might be the best game we played all year ... that’s a team that last week beat us by 40 points,” said Windham boys’ JV basketball coach Geoff Grigsby. “We ran our offense and got open shots better than we have all year. We really trusted each other to ... turn down bad shots and get great shots. They just didn’t fall.”

Windham snagged rebounds and minimized turnovers for Portland in the second half. At one point Portland had more than a 10-point lead. The Eagles worked to close the gap.

Nine points separated the teams going into the fourth quarter. Windham was aggressive and gave a strong effort. Portland had the lead and stayed ahead as the clock ran out.

Grigsby added Windham made Portland work harder during the game. Windham was much more focused, disciplined and believed they could win. <