Windham basketball falls short in games against Scarborough

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham varsity and junior varsity summer basketball teams walked off the court with losses at Scarborough on Wednesday, July 20, but both teams put in strong efforts.

Windham varsity senior Owen Combes rises toward the
hoop at Scarborough in a summer league basketball game
against the Red Storm on Wednesday, July 20. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

The Windham varsity team had a close game to start, but Scarborough pulled ahead. Windham was able to come back within two points of tying the game in the second half, but Scarborough held them off and secured a 41-35 win.

Windham’s JV team took a lead away from Scarborough early. Windham was able to maintain that lead for the entire first half. In the second half, Scarborough turned the tables and got a 47-35 victory.

Varsity

“Guys were playing hard, playing pretty well on defense,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “They’re a tight-knit group and it shows on the court; they’re pretty well connected as a team.”

Pulkkinen thought it was a close battle, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t go your way.

Windham took a small but early lead in the first half.

Scarborough was not far behind. Windham fought hard and worked to be first to the ball. At the half, Scarborough led 18-11.

The second half was a different story. Windham’s determination was there and as the clock wound down, the Eagles closed the gap. Windham freshman AJ Moody hit back-to-back three-pointers and

now Scarborough only had a two-point lead.

With two minutes left in the game, Windham was down by five. A short time later, Windham trailed by two points again.

Scarborough was able to expand their lead with less than 20 seconds on the clock.

“Our team did really good,” said Moody. “Our effort was there but we didn’t move the ball enough in the second half. Our defense wasn’t really collapsing as we wanted it to be, and Scarborough just had the better offense in the second half.”

Moody said pushing the ball in transition and getting back on transition defense and offense went well.

JV

It was a very close game early in the first half with only a couple points separating the teams. Windham pulled away. Windham had a significant lead at the half when they were up 24-14.

“We did a really good job in transition defense,” said Windham sophomore Braycen Freese who hit two three-pointers during the game. “I think we played better defense than we usually do.”

Freese said Windham struggled to find a way to get past Scarborough’s zone defense in the second half, which resulted in Scarborough taking the lead. Freese said the season has been solid and they’ve built a good foundation for the winter.

In the second half, Scarborough caught up. Windham tied the game at 27.

Scarborough pulled ahead, but a three-pointer and Windham trailed 33-32.

Unfortunately, Scarborough overtook the game and expanded their lead by 10.

“Against Scarborough’s man defense Windham did a good job of running their offense and getting good shots,” said Windham JV boys basketball coach Geoff Grigsby. “Defensively in the first half there was a ton of effort; guys did a great job of talking and identifying getting back.”

Grigsby said Windham got outworked in the second half. When Scarborough switched to zone defense it became harder for Windham, especially in the last 10 minutes. Windham worked hard but struggled to communicate. <