Windham boys’ basketball eliminates Edward Little in regional finals

By Matt Pascarella

After knocking out Portland in the semifinals 65-56, the Windham High School Eagles advanced for the third time in recent history to the regional final on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Second-place Windham took down fourth-place Edward Little, 55-49.

Windham sophomore Colin Janvrin gets a shot off in time 
during the regional boys' basketball final against Edward
Little at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Feb. 22. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“It means a lot (to head back to the state championship) ... this is an awesome feeling,” said Windham sophomore Colin Janvrin. “I’m super excited to get on that state championship floor and ball out again. We weren’t really nervous because we’ve been here before and ... we were ready for this. I think (Edward Little) built up a lot of their team chemistry and they got a lot better throughout the whole season, so props to them. We just stayed through and fought through. AJ (Moody) played great defense on (Edward Little’s Maiwen) Diing; he’s a great player and AJ shut him down really well. Everybody on the offensive end just moving the ball around and finding whoever’s hot – getting it done. I think we just got to move the ball around and find our good shots instead of forcing shots on offense. They were playing really good defense, and we got to work around it.”

Edward Little jumped out in front early on. After Windham junior Tyrie James sank a three-pointer, the game got closer. Windham defense went hard after the Eddies.

Windham sophomore Colin Janvrin hit a three-pointer. The game remained tight; not all Windham shots fell. Eagle defense caused several turnovers. Moody had a three-point buzzer beater at the half and Windham led, 23-19.

“It was our best basketball that was needed to win, and, in these games, anything can happen,” said Windham boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “The guys did a great job holding their composure. I think our team is as united as it’s been, which is important especially down the stretch when you miss some foul shots and adversity hits ... all kinds of bad things can happen, and I think our team was ready for those moments. We have great kids who have great experience, it just makes it easy for me as a coach. They were super hungry for it ... we had to come out and match that energy that they wanted revenge; we wanted to make sure we were prepared for that. I thought we rebounded the ball really well; I thought AJ played about as good as you can on Diing. AJ is the best defender in the state, and he stepped up to that challenge today, AJ wanted that challenge, and he took it. Diing is an unbelievable player, and AJ is an unbelievable defender, so I just thought that matchup was fun to watch.”

Windham senior Braycen Freese hit a three-pointer in the second half. More Windham shots were falling, and they led by 10.

But Edward Little was catching up. Windham senior Joseph Blige picked up a turnover and passed to Janvrin who sank a three-pointer.

As the clock ticked away, the game remained tight in the fourth quarter. Six points separated the teams with 2:38 left. With 34 seconds left, three points separated the teams. Janvrin hit two crucial foul shots to expand the WHS lead.

Windham then held down the Eddies until the final buzzer to win their second regional championship.

“It means a lot (to be going to another state championship),” said Moody. “Battling through adversity ... knowing what it takes and executing at practice. I’m proud of us all, I love all my brothers, our community loves us. After a bucket, after a steal, after a rebound, after a timeout, they’re there cheering ... you have our whole community roaring when a three-pointer goes up – they’re there to support us. What we executed in practice (led to this win); practice is our main focus all the time. I’m proud of these guys – rebounding is a main factor, Diing what a great player he is ... I thought we executed pretty well. (Edward Little) came a long way – what a great team they’ve become. We just saw that, and we had to take another step, another level to beat this team; we did a great job at that. Boxing out, trying to rebound (went well). We just need to get back on defense ... transition defense, help-side defense, getting to our spots and after that we’re golden.” <

Her Mainely Girl Adventures: The Curse of the Sunday Buck

By Staci Warren

I have been hunting for 16 years now, and although I’ve gotten my Grand Slam, I still don’t have a Big Buck Club patch. In fact, I’ve never harvested a deer bigger than 8 points. As many hunters do, I dream about shooting a big buck, but I’ve yet to figure out the secret to being at the right place at the right time. I scout. I hunt the wind. I try to be scent-free. I use buck lure and calls and try to be as quiet as possible. And when that doesn’t produce, I change it up by not using any call or lure at all. I hunt every morning and afternoon that my schedule allows, including sitting in the rain.

Staci Warren took a photo of this buck that she observed in 
Maine on a Sunday when hunting was not permitted during
deer season last fall. PHOTO BY STACI WARREN

I watch deer all season but the last three years, deer seemed to disappear as soon as rifle season started. The rut season seemed almost non-existent, with a handful of does moving early mornings and evenings.

Last year, three smaller bucks sporadically showed up on my cameras. I really thought there were no big bucks where I was hunting. With no intention on shooting a little buck, I started calling the curled spikehorn, Loki, and the young buck with a tall-webbed antler, Crab Claw. I had not seen Big Guy, the ten-point buck that had been in area for the last three years, until September and then I didn’t see him again all season. After seeing more big bucks than ever, tagged at the nearby store and posted on Facebook, I assumed Big Guy was one of them.

Prior to the season, I had moved stands. I moved cameras so that deer wouldn’t try to avoid them. Then once the season started, I bow-hunted and then rifle-hunted moving to different spots miles apart when I felt like I was over-hunting a spot. It didn’t seem to matter. All I ever saw were a few does, and spikehorn bucks.

Then came the first Sunday sighting. My husband, John, was checking his beaver traps. On his way back he spotted a big buck just staring at him. All he could do was watch him walk away. No rifle as it was Sunday.

The second Sunday buck arrived right after a rainstorm. A big eight-pointer with no brow tines showed for one day, during prime morning shooting hours when I would be sitting in my stand had it not been Sunday. He was a monster, and it was the first and last time I saw him on my camera.

Two weeks later, a small buck showed up 6:40 a.m. – when I’d be sitting in my stand had it not been Sunday. It ate acorns for a good half hour. That same morning, a big wide ten-point buck had strolled right by my stand at 6:04 a.m., before legal shooting hours.

Rifle season ended with no deer. I purchased a muzzleloader permit and spent the next two weeks chasing the dream of a big buck. Every time a buck showed up, I would be so excited that when the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. it was like the first day of hunting season all over again.

The next Sunday a buck chasing a doe filled my camera, which was also the first real rut action I had seen all season. I continued to see deer on my camera, but now they were strictly night images.

My season ended with seeing eight doe, two spikehorns, and a tall eight-pointer that I saw from my four- wheeler while checking traps. And of course, the bucks came back for a show once the season ended…on Sunday and every day after, of course.

Although I may not have harvested a buck, I’ve learned a lot about deer behavior—that they really do know when we aren’t in the woods. Since Sunday hunting probably will never happen, I can only hope that someday I’ll be able to outsmart a buck, or as others say, luck out. One thing’s for sure. There are big bucks where I hunt, at least on Sundays! My 2024 buck still didn’t get me my Big Buck Club patch, but it’s a beauty, and filled my freezer with meat for the next year, thankfully in time for the upcoming recession.

Congratulations to all of you who were successful in harvesting a deer this season.

Staci Warren provides a unique woman’s perspective and column on the outdoors every month. She is a freelance writer whose blog, My Mainely Girl Adventures, is about a woman hunting, fishing, trapping, foraging and living in the Maine outdoors. She also loves camping, star gazing, wildlife watching, and hunting for fossils. She’s an active member and board member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and is a monthly columnist and feature writer for The Maine Sportsman Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring women hunters and trappers. <

Trail Blazers fall to Saint Dominic Academy in regular-season hockey finale

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Bonny Eagle/Westbrook Trail Blazers took on Saint Dominic Academy in their final game of the regular prep hockey season on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham and although the Trail Blazers fought hard, they came out on the wrong end of a 2-0 score.

Senior Cole Heanssler of Windham maneuvers toward the
goal during a Trail Blazers prep hockey game against
Saint Dominic Academy on Feb. 19.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

It was Senior Night and Windham’s Ben Shaw, Erik DuPont, Sam Foley, Philip Traina, Shaun Traina, Cole Heanssler and Bonny Eagle’s Massimo Massaro and Shep Howard were recognized for their time and dedication to the sport of hockey throughout their high school careers.

“We’ve come off kind of a winning streak,” said Heanssler. “We started to get comfortable expecting wins instead of working for them, so we came out pretty slow and ended up going down and it was just a struggle to recover; we weren’t able to generate any offensive plays. We all kind of worked our hardest, especially in the last few minutes of the third (period). I don’t feel like we’re the team that starts losing and gives up, I think we worked until the end there – it just didn’t work the way we wanted to. I think our breakouts were doing pretty good, we were able to get it out of the zone pretty easily. We did have shots on net; I think we need to start working the puck a little more in the offensive zone, especially up to our defensemen. (We need) movement and getting more shots on net; we need it to be a team rotation of all five guys.”

Trail Blazers came out strong with a shot on goal in the first 45 seconds. They were working to be first to the puck. Saint Dominic Academy led 1-0 after one period.

In the second period, Trail Blazers worked hard to score. They were aggressive and battled. Saint Dominic Academy scored again, but the Trail Blazers weren’t discouraged. They had solid puck movement and really pressured toward the end of the period.

“It’s just not really what we’re looking for,” said DuPont. “We had a lot of guys sick; that’s definitely part of it. There’s not really a specific factor – we win as a team; we lose as a team. Definitely when we were working pucks low to high, that works well – we just got to get back to that, I guess. Better puck movement was working ... move our feet more, move pucks faster, get our heads up (needs work); collectively get better chemistry together and get ready to work at that playoff level speed.”

The Trail Blazer defense kept Saint Dominic Academy scoreless during the third period, and Trail Blazer offense were first to the puck and had several solid shots on goal, but didn’t score.

“What went well was our goalie played really, really well,” said Trail Blazer coach Bobby Fothergill. “We’ve asked a lot of him this year and he’s delivered; he’s worked really hard to get better and better before each game. We had glimpses of good offense zone time – I never question their effort, their effort is always there, it was more just poor execution. When we did execute ... working pucks low to high, high to low, getting the d(efense) involved, we had 12 good minutes this whole game.”

As Fothergill looks to the postseason, he said the team needs to play their game and play with intensity, passion and love of the game. He said he doesn’t want his players to make things bigger than needed and to just play hockey.

The Trail Blazers will play Thornton Academy in the playoff quarterfinals at the Biddeford Ice Arena at 5:40 p.m. Saturday, March 1. <

Wolfpack wrestling team turns in solid showing at State Championships

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Gray-New Gloucester/Westbrook varsity Wolfpack wrestling team had a total of six prep wrestlers and four alternates qualify for the State Championships, which was held at the Lewiston Colisee on Saturday, Feb. 15. Windham seniors CK Kennedy, Ayden Cofone, freshman Tristen Merchant, Gray-New Gloucester senior Spencer Fields and Westbrook sophomores Jajjad Jumaah and Cole Tanner all qualified to compete in the event.

Windham senior Ayden Cofone flips his Massabesic opponent
during the finals of the Maine Principal's Association State
Championship Meet in Lewiston on Saturday, Feb. 15.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Cofone won his third state title in four years after he defeated Massabesic in the finals in 43 seconds, with a score of 15-0. The Wolfpack placed 14th overall.

“It always feels good, especially at a state tournament, to do what you want to do,” said Cofone. “I knew I had it locked up, I put him on his back again and I thought to myself, ‘that’s it, I just got my third.’ The ultimate goal is always a New England Championship title, but three state titles are cool. (A New England title) is what I’m striving for and what I’m going to keep working towards. I know what I’m capable of and I’m the best on the mat when I step on the mat. I go in with that mindset ... I thought I did good at top-game, always turning, always looking for another tilt, always getting more points because you rack up the points, you win easy.”

In the quarterfinals, Ayden defeated Kennebunk 8-0. He defeated Cony 3-0 in the semifinals to advance to the finals.

Wolfpack wrestling coach John Nicholas said Ayden has accomplished so many great things in his career and will go down as the best Windham wrestler of all time. He is really impressed by Cofone’s toughness. Cofone has set the bar high for future wrestlers.

Merchant, Jumaah, Kennedy, Tanner and Fields all fought hard, but lost in the quarterfinals and consolation rounds. Fields finished in sixth place.

“I like being here because ... it’s something to give my passion to and something to put my hard work into,” said Fields, who qualified for the state championship for his first time. “I put all my passion in tonight. Mentally matches can be difficult as well as physically. I’d say that’s definitely the hardest part about this sport is that mental fortitude and that strive to keep pushing, through that match. I think the team has done really well; everyone has put out 110 percent. Even for these new guys they look great on the mat. Out of the six guys the came to states, we all tried our hardest. For the team (there has been) a lot of improvement technique-wise, physically, mentally – this sport just boosts your endurance overall. I’ve grown overall as a person and as well as just in the sport ... (wrestling) really makes me focus harder on every aspect of my life.”

Nicholas said we were very pleased with Cofone’s performance, and the rest of the team wrestled well and gained a lot of valuable experience.

“This was the most wrestlers we have qualified for the state tournament,” said Nicholas. “We knew we had a strong team this year, but we were plagued by sickness and injuries the entire season. The main goal was to get healthy and to improve our conditioning. We were able to do both of those things heading into the postseason. We are a pretty young team, so it was important for a lot of the kids to experience competition at the state level. Also, wrestling in bigger venues with big crowds should help us in the future. Many of the wrestlers are coming back next year and we are very proud of how our seniors conducted themselves.” <

Windham indoor track and field teams go full strength in Class A State Championships

By Matt Pascarella

As the winter indoor track season draws to a close, a select team from the Windham High boys’ and girls’ teams headed to the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Monday, Feb. 17 to compete against schools from all over the state.

WHS senior Carter Engelman clears the pole vault bar
during the Class A Indoor Track and Field State
Championships held Feb. 17 at the University of Southern
Maine in Gorham. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Out of 23 teams, Windham’s girls finished sixth overall with a score of 33; while the boys finished eighth with a score of 26.

Girls

Senior Tayla Pelletier became a state champ and set a new school record of 8.46 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles. She also placed first in the triple jump with a distance of 36-8.5 feet; she finished third in the long jump with a 17-5.25 distance.

The girls 4x800-meter relay wasn’t slotted to make the podium (top eight), but the team of senior Abigail Dumont, juniors Emma Fox, Demetria Nicholas and Sydney Broadbent earned a seventh-place finish with a time of 10:56.78 minutes.

They’ve been working since July; even working hard in the cold. It was rewarding to place seventh and a bonding experience. The three juniors gave it their all for Dumont.

Windham girls’ indoor track and field coach Jeff Riddle said these girls perfectly fit the mission statement of this team. They exemplify who the Windham team wants to be.

“I just wanted to give it my all, that’s usually how I go into meets,” said Dumont. “I knew I’d been preparing all week; I’m going to be bold; I’m going to be brave; I’m going to have grit ... it definitely helps to have my girls with me, they pushed me through it. I’ve worked hard and I’m just super proud of all of us.”

In the triple jump, senior Ava Gerrity placed seventh with a distance of 33-5. In the long jump she had a distance of 15-6.

Senior Marina Schwarz threw 30-11 in the shot put and finished in seventh place.

Junior Nealie Morey finished seventh in the high jump with a 4-10 height.

“These state qualifiers had to sustain focus, put in real time, and work really hard for each and every inch gained, or time drop earned all season,” said Riddle. “We make the impossible, possible. We ... are very impressed with our athletes' attitudes and capacities to work to overcome the constant hurdles in our way. Senior captains had to lead us to outwit the short cold days of winter, train in hallways, constantly lift each other up, all as they pursued their goals as well. How these senior captains and seniors powered through it all stood out to us.”

Boys

Carter Engelman tied his personal best height in the pole vault and came in second with a vault of 14-6. He came in third in the 55-hurdles with a time of 8.04. In the long jump he finished eighth with a distance of 20-9.75.

“It’s always good to be here, the competitions always great,” said Engelman. “I was mainly just competing against myself. I think I’ve learned a lot about myself today, (even if) the times and heights haven’t been there. It’s definitely a good learning experience.”

In the 55-dash, senior Karl Longstreth beat his own school record with a time of 6.56.

“I thought all of our hurdlers did an awesome job,” said Windham boys’ indoor track and field coach Paula Pock. Carter and Rory (Good) both did excellent in the 55-hurdles; Carter just started long jumping this season and he ended up placing in that which was a bonus event; then he came back and got second, tying the school record in the pole vault. He is now in the top 10 for (indoor) pole vaulters in the state of Maine. Another surprise was Mason Arbour in the high jump, he ended up placing sixth place and he’s coming off a really bad flu ... that’s definitely a highlight.”

In the 55-hurdles, Good came in fourth with a time of 8.06.

In the high jump, jump Arbour finished sixth with a height of 5-10.

Junior Connor Witham finished the 200-dash with a time of 24.90. <

WHS increases energy in second half to shut down Deering on Senior Night

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity boys’ basketball played Deering in its final home and regular game of the season on Friday, Feb. 7, and although the Eagles started a little slow, they quickly turned their game around and sent the Rams packing, 68-56.

Windham junior Tyrie James takes the ball to the hoop during
a boys' prep basketball game against Deering High School
at Windham High on Friday, Feb. 7.
PHOTO BY AIDEN HALL 

It was Senior Night for WHS and Joseph Blige, Lukas Hammond, Conor Janvrin, Esa Antonio, James Ammons, Grant Coppi, Braycen Freese, and Creighty Dickson, as well as cheerleaders Morgan Beck, Ella Roberts and Talia Salazar were honored along with their parents, for their time and commitment to Windham Athletics and were presented with a small gift from their coaches.

“It was bittersweet,” said Freese about Senior Night. “I’ve been waiting four years to be in this position and now that it’s finally here, it’s a little sad. You always work for nights like this and once it gets here, it’s gone so fast. Everyone agreed we weren’t playing to our full potential in the first half, and we needed to pick up the energy. I thought we did really good stopping Deering’s best player. I think offensively we could have moved the ball better, had better shots, and not played so timid with the ball in our hands. I think it was their defense and now that we’ve seen that defense, we can grow from it and play better the next time.”

It was a close game for the entire first half. Windham was stellar from the top of the key; Freese, junior AJ Moody, junior Tyrie James and sophomore Colin Janvrin all sank three-pointers in the first half. This fast-paced game was tight, and Windham led 27-25 at halftime.

“Great atmosphere ... I think our energy on the defensive end and overall, we moved the ball around and just kept playing,” said Dickson, who scored 14 points against Deering. “We knew we had to step it up in order to win and bringing that energy we just played better. Our rotations on the defensive end need work. On the good side, I thought our ball movement was good, and our defensive pressure was really good.”

Defense and a more intense offense allowed Windham to take a small lead at the end of the third quarter. Tensions were high and the crowd was electric; early in the fourth quarter, Windham led by 10. As the clock wound down, Windham increased that lead and pressured.

James said it is the energy on and off the court that motivates this WHS team. He said they came out flat with an attitude that they were supposed to win but were more disciplined and came together as a team in the second half.

“It’s just a great group of kids (the seniors),” said Windham varsity boys basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “The season goes by quick – the time is now for them. Just seeing those guys play their final home game and play like we wanted to which was with a lot of joy and gave it all they got. We’ve got to trust one another; we’re going to go through a lot of adversity no matter what. Guys have been in tough situations in really big games and really close games, so our starting core has been through a lot and even our bench players will come in and contribute and give everything we need. Our guys were playing really hard and knocking down shots, and we wanted to continue to play together with that energy and effort. If you consistently do that, good things will happen. Our experience helps us hold onto a lead like that against a really good team. Having Tyrie back is nice, having everyone healthy is nice; we’re excited for the team.” <

Windham varsity cheerleading’s hard work evident during state competition

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity cheering squad qualified for the state competition after finishing sixth in the regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 1. They competed at the state competition against schools from all over Maine at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, where they did a fantastic job.

Windham junior Maddi Kovats, front, with the Windham 
High Cheerleading Team behind her, synchronize a jump
as part of a cheer routine at the Augusta Civic Center 
during the state cheerleading competition on Saturday,
Feb. 8. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

Making it to the state competition was a huge goal for the team, so it was already a win, before they even took to the mat. Every Windham cheerleader was integral to the team’s success.

“They continued to come in every day with a positive attitude and mindset,” said Windham varsity cheerleading coach Amber DiRenzo Bushey. “They worked together as a team to perfect skills and gain new ones. It truly was a successful season. Our opening stunts I thought went really well, our dismount was a little off on one of them, but the actual skill itself went very well. The girls were determined and never gave up.”

DiRenzo Bushey said the Windham team changed all their tumbling routines before the state competition, and she thought that it went well.

“Our goal is to come out and do the best we can do. We just want to do better than last year and keep improving,” she said. “We improved our partner stunt technique as well. They put on a great performance at states; we couldn't ask for a more determined hard-working group of kids. I had a blast with these kids; they are all willing to work so hard, get new skills and try new things, it’s been awesome.”

The team dealt with a lot of challenges near the end of the season and had to rework the entire routine. The team has worked consistently on improving their stunts and tumbling skills. It worked all season to perfect their 360-switch up, and half-switch up, which they performed perfectly.

According to DiRenzo Bushey, Windham’s cheerleaders worked hard to hit coed switch-ups in their pyramid, which are extremely difficult. She said the team also worked hard to perfect their toe touch back handsprings and running tumbling and they all came together to put out the best routine possible.

“It was kind of sad that we didn’t have as many baskets,” said Windham senior Ella Roberts. “We did have one basket in the back that went high; our pyramid was pretty good because it showed off our coeds – when you only have two people under a stunt. As long as we’re proud of ourselves, it’s good either way, whatever we place, as long as we’re happy with (how we performed). Be proud of how far you’ve come, because inside it’s a lot.”

Windham senior Morgan Beck said that the team definitely got stronger through their performances and every time it was better and better. She said that she was happy with how the team performed and was glad she experienced her final competition with this team and was proud they gave their all.

“I’m so proud of us, we’ve been through a lot,” said Windham senior Talia Salazar. “We had to switch things around and I’m really proud of what we did today. I really love all the girls on this team.” <

Windham Unified basketball falls to Portland/Deering by one point

By Matt Pascarella

In a hard-fought game where Windham’s Unified basketball team gave their all, the clock wound down and Portland/Deering edged Windham, 40-39, on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Windham High School.

Windham senior Colby Schmid rises above his opponents
to make a one-handed shot during a Unified basketball
game against Portland/Deering on Wednesday, Jan. 29
at Windham High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Windham took several solid shots that just did not land late in the game.

“I think we did very well this game,” said Windham senior Colby Schmid. “We did better at getting inside (the paint). My buddy Zach and I struggled with the three-pointers. I think we did great at scoring, and I think we do need to work on passing.”

There were a lot of positive aspects shown during this game, including Windham players giving other players an opportunity to move the ball or go in to take a shot. Windham had several stellar opportunities they took full advantage of with Mary Jean, Maddi Small, Zachary O’Brion, Tristan Stanley, Colby Schmid, Jacob Smith and Jack Shirley showing true sportsmanship.

Windham moved the ball well and soon they were on the scoreboard. The Eagles had a small lead to start, but after some time the game was tied.

Portland/Deering took the lead, then Windham snatched it back; this was a very tight game. Windham defense worked hard to limit scoring opportunities for their opponent.

O’Brion had a nice turnover, and the game was tied 14-14 with less than four minutes left in the first half.

Midway through the game, Portland/Deering led, 18-16.

At the start of the second half, O’Brion hit a three-pointer; a few moments later he did it again. This remained a very close game. Windham rebounded and continued to work hard.

Schmid sunk a three-pointer. The game was tied at 24-24.

Portland/Deering took the lead. Windham tried very hard to flip the score, but time ran out.

It felt good for O’Brion to sink his two three-pointers he said. This was a very tough loss and Windham was so close. They need to work on defense and rebounds.

“A ton of rebounds (during this game) we’re hitting the board so much better,” said Windham Unified basketball coach Anne Blake. “Our problem is we’re not moving in to do the close, confident shots; we’re (attempting) too many three-pointers. The rebounds have improved and the team’s playing with a lot more unity. I just think all the partners and athletes worked really well together; we played in a festival last weekend, and this is our third game for the season, so I think we’ve really improved since our practice with the festival. I think the team is starting to improve and the teamwork is showing. Layups (need work).”

Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. <

Windham girls’ basketball crushes Falmouth on Senior Night

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham varsity girls’ basketball team crushed Falmouth 73-19 on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Windham High School.

Windham senior Stella Jarvais takes the ball to the basket
during a girls' prep basketball game against Falmouth on
Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Windham High School. 
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Before the game, the team honored Stella Jarvais on Senior Night and presented a gift for her and for her parents for their time and dedication to Windham athletics during Stella’s high school career.

“It’s something really special coming through the years of this program,” said Jarvais, who scored 26 points against Falmouth. “I love this team, and it’s really cool for them to recognize all the years I put into it. It’s kind of surreal (to maybe have played my last home game) because I will not be playing basketball beyond these years. It’s something special to share the court with my sister, because I will not be playing with her in college; so being able to spend this time with Mackenzie (Delewski) and my friends and my sister, it’s something really special.”

Windham came out strong and put up 19 points in just the first quarter. Windham sophomore Denali Momot sank a three-pointer. The squad’s incredible defense held Falmouth to just five points.

In the second quarter, Windham junior Marley Jarvais hit a three-pointer. Windham led by 20 and their offense would not be stopped. At the half Windham led, 37-12.

“I thought our team defense went very well tonight,” said Windham junior Chloe Delewski. “We did a great job defending the perimeter followed by boxing out and rebounding. I thought that tonight our offense was executed well but when we face stronger defenses, we will need to be sharper. It felt great getting this big win because we got the whole team involved and it was just an amazing show that we put on for the crowd. Stella leaving means ... we are losing one of our closest friends and outstanding players on the team. It won’t be the same without her next year.”

At the start of the second half, Windham’s lead grew to 30 points. They rebounded and Windham’s defense kept Falmouth scoreless in the third quarter.

“Passing, getting into our offense, being able to cut and read the defense, so stuff like that went well,” said Stella Jarvais. “Our shooting percentage went up. Just communication I feel like is always a thing that teams can work on; and turnovers, in a lot of the games that came close and came down to the last minute were due to turnovers, so limiting turnovers we can work on.”

In the fourth quarter, a block from Windham freshman Eliana Kostopoulos showed Falmouth who was in control.

Windham sophomore Leandra Woodman sank two three-pointers and Windham freshman Lauren Valle hit a three-pointer too.

“Tonight was about celebrating Stella and honoring her and her four years with us,” said Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes. “It was good for us to get out and run and put some points on the board. We had a lot of kids do that; we had a lot of kids score today. Good opportunity to kind of get up and down and climb ... the ladder towards the playoffs, just trying to get better every day. We were able to dip in that bench a bit earlier than we usually do and get some kids some experience and everybody did a good job. I think at times, we need to get them up and contest shots a little bit better on the perimeter. We got to contain shots a bit better – we did well today, but against better teams we’ve got to make sure we do that. Offensively we’ve got to move the ball, I thought we did well with that today. We’ve got to be strong at the rim, finishing inside and making our free throws when we need to.”

Artes said when Stella Jarvais came in as a freshman, her ability was raw, but she worked at it and improved over the course of her career. She’s a good teammate, plays hard, is a great defensive player and a great kid. <

Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey holds off Yarmouth/Falmouth

By Matt Pascarella

An early goal and strong defense from the Cheverus/Windham/Medomak girls’ hockey team made a real difference during a late-season game against Yarmouth/Falmouth. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak were able to keep their opponent scoreless and posted a 1-0 win on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the William B. Troubh Ice Arena.

Cheverus junior Ashley Cloutier of Windham goes after the
puck during a girls' prep hockey game against Yarmouth/
Falmouth on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the William B. Troubh
Ice Arena in Portland. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I thought we were playing a really good third period and we made some adjustments to our forecheck, until we took that penalty with about five minutes to go,” said the Cheverus/Windham/Medomak coach Scott Rousseau. “I thought we handled the last two minutes well; it’s always hectic ... but a great learning experience. We managed the puck well, we did not panic and not take icings and in the last minute I don’t think they really got a scoring chance. We only have four players back and I really hope these eight first-year players are ready for what’s coming; the playoffs are even more intense than this. If you interview (Yarmouth/Falmouth’s) coach, we made each other look bad, it was 1-0, it’s what good teams do to each other. We kind of took some of their strengths away, they took some of our strengths away. At the end we did show a lot of heart and character and find a way to win – and that matters.”

Cheverus/Windham/Medomak hit the ice with strong defense as these two teams were very evenly matched. Cheverus/Windham/Medomak moved the puck well and had intensity the entire game.

Cheverus sophomore Caroline Rousseau scored roughly halfway through the first period. Windham freshman Taylor Lucas had a solid check before the first period buzzer. It was 1-0 Cheverus/Windham/Medomak after one period.

In the second period, Cheverus/Windham/Medomak’s intensity remained, and their defense made sure to cut off scoring opportunities for Yarmouth/Falmouth. Cheverus goalie Ellie Skolnekovich had super-fast hands and kept a lot of pucks away from the back of the net.

“I see it as just another game,” said Skolnekovich, who had 21 saves during the game. “That’s my hometown – I get fired up when I play them, and I know their roster. It’s a 0-0 game in my head the whole way through and it’s really great. I think from the top down, we played really well; we played well as a team. We’re together ... and I think the biggest thing is I can’t thank my defense enough; I cover a puck and they’re right there to get people out of the way, I cover the puck, and they are right in front of me not letting anybody get to me and that’s really, really what builds our team up. I think we can pass the puck more and I think we can make less mental mistakes in the last two minutes of the game. I think we had a lot of adrenaline going and since it was a 1-0 game, it got a little bit intense at the end and I think that we can just build from there. I play a 0-0 game; my adrenaline was going, and I just played my game.”

Tensions built in the third and final period as both teams worked hard to put something up on the scoreboard. A block by Skolnekovich with a little over a minute left coupled with Cheverus/Windham/Medomak’s defense only amplified this team’s tenacity. They kept back Yarmouth/Falmouth until the last buzzer.

“I think our forecheck was able to set it up differently so we can contain their better players,” said Lucas. “Our goalie played amazing tonight; she saved us. We had some good forechecks towards the beginning of the third period that went well. I think that we just need to work on getting the puck out faster in ... the defensive zone and move our feet.” <