Windham girls’ JV basketball holds off Thornton Academy

By Matt Pascarella

Once Windham’s junior varsity girls’ basketball team regained the lead during their home game with Thornton Academy on Thursday, Dec. 28, they never let go of it. Windham had the lead at the end of the first half and when they took the court in the second half, they made it nearly impossible for Thornton Academy to pull out in front. At the final buzzer, Windham earned a 41-25 win.

Windham sophomore Viktoria Richardson takes a shot from
the three-point line during a girls' JV basketball game
at home against Thornton Academy on Dec. 28.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCERELLA

“I think just digging down on defense led to the win,” said Windham JV girls’ basketball coach Gretchen Anderson. “Running our offense, seeing openings and gaps and offensive rebounds were big for us as well as getting our true JV and our swing players kind of meshing together, that’s always a tough thing ... the girls are doing a really good job; they are such an unselfish team they ... always make the extra pass – it’s really fun to coach.”

Anderson said running their offense has been great. Windham has been really cutting hard to the hoop and foul shots have improved.

Windham moved the ball well the entire game. They had a small but early lead over Thornton Academy.

Windham grabbed turnovers and rebounds which led to more opportunities to score.

Thornton Academy soon took the lead; then Windham regained it, then the game was tied.

Windham JV freshman Kiley Card had a buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Windham’s momentum helped them pull away. They were quick to be first to the ball. Shot after shot helped the Lady Eagles maintain their 20-11 lead at the half.

“At first we weren’t playing the best defense,” said Windham JV freshman Isabella Vassoler. “I think as we went along, we were really prepared for that and were being more aggressive to create more offensive plays so we could have more chances at scoring. Defense [went well]. By the end of it we were running low pretty well and forwards out which was great because that’s been a struggle. We came together more and communicated, that made it a lot easier to play. Shooting [needs improvement] but that will go on as we progress.”

In the second half, Thornton Academy made a push to switch the score, but Windham made it very hard for them to do so.

“Out-of-bounds plays still need improvement,” said Anderson. “Knowing that I’m in one position, but also transition defense, making sure we’re matched up with the correct person and we’re not allowing them to get to the hoop.”

Windham JV sophomore Kendra Eubanks sunk a three-pointer.

Windham JV sophomore Chloe Delewski had a couple nice layups to help Windham stay ahead.

Card sank a three-pointer.

By the final buzzer Windham’s lead was too massive to overcome.

“Offensively, we were being really smart,” said Windham JV sophomore Viktoria Richardson, who sank a three-pointer in the second quarter. “When we first started, we were running forwards out and it was working really well, and we were just being smart. We were making smart plays and it transitioned from being good on defense and getting fast breaks. We’ve been working on passing and our offense in general. We need to work on our out-of-bounds plays ... and shooting.” <