In a fast-paced game where the score was tight, Windham’s varsity boys’ basketball team took the lead against Portland at halftime and never let it go, winning its eighth consecutive game and remaining undefeated with a 52-47 win at home on Jan. 6.
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| Windham sophomore Tyrie James is well ahead of his Portland opponents as he makes his way toward the basket during a boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Windham High School. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
This was a high-pressure game from the very beginning. Windham had stellar offense and defense and took the lead early. They worked the entire game as a cohesive unit.
Portland tied the game and took the lead, despite Windham junior Creighty Dickson’s three-point buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter.
Moody hit a three-pointer, his first of four. So did Windham sophomore Tyrie James. This game was very, very close. Windham rebounded and snagged every opportunity to increase their lead.
Moody hit another three-pointer and tied the game at 24. James hit another three-pointer.
Windham led 30-26 midway through. They would not give up the lead for the remainder of the game.
“The whole team made extra passes, it’s easy to get open shots,” said James. “Our energy was good; in the fourth quarter I think we settled down and our shots were falling too – we had momentum. We kept up the intensity, played defense, hit our shots. Everything went well, it was just a good game overall – everyone contributed.”
The pressure was on in the second half. There was no lack of intensity from anyone on the team. They continued rebounding. Windham senior Erik Bowen sunk a three-pointer.
But Portland was not far from the lead.
Moody hit two more three-pointers. Windham defense held Portland back. The Eagles had a 10-point lead toward the end of the third quarter.
“They just attack every day,” said Windham boys’ varsity coach Chad Pulkkinen. “They come and work every single day, they’re coachable, they listen and they’re hungry; they’re not satisfied. We talk about it all the time – just one game at a time, one day at a time, we try to win each day. The teammates that these guys are allows us to be super connected; unselfish play and they trust one another. I’m proud of them. We know Portland is an unbelievable team ... they have so much talent on that team and the whole league is tough, so we don’t overlook anybody. I love to see [Windham’s] fight and their hunger. Our senior leadership is extremely mature and extremely experienced. They understand that we got to come in and prove ourselves in practice; they understand they got to have each other’s back on and off the court. I’m sure [Windham’s record] is nice and they celebrate it, but then we get right back to work. It’s impressive.”
Coach Pulkkinen said being patient went well. Understanding what a great shot is, understanding situations, how they defend certain people along with the basics and fundamentals of the game still need work.
In the fourth quarter, Portland caught up more. Windham was too fast and too accurate with their shooting for the Bulldogs to gain much of an advantage.
Less than eight seconds left, and Windham’s lead expanded. Senior Blake McPherson helped widen that lead. Senior Quinton Lindsay sunk a couple foul shots.
Windham gained possession and the clock ran out.
“We stayed together, kept our emotions in check,” said Bowen. "[We] used the energy of the environment to our advantage. Every day we come in and stay hungry, we don’t worry about our record, we just focus on the next game, and everybody gives their all.”
Bowen said moving the ball, rebounding, getting good shots, making [Portland] take tough shots on defense all led to success. They got to keep working to get better shots, play stronger defense, rebound the ball, and get back on offense. <
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