Tales from the Woods: Hooked on Boats

By Bob Chapin

Looking out the window at the snow, you could be excused for not thinking about the boating season. However, many of us look forward to the beginning of open water fishing and boating season. Maybe that is why this time of year the boating industry sponsors several boat shows around the country like the one going on in Portland, Feb. 26 through March 7. The vendors know that this is when future and current boat owners dream about the boat they must have. The Portland Boat Show is where dreams can come true if you have the resources.

If you grew up around a decent-sized body of water, nothing fueled the dreams of a young boy like having access to a boat. It didn’t have to be new, or fancy, or fast or anything beyond letting you explore what was beyond what you could see from the shore.

In my family I had three brothers and three sisters, and we were quite fortunate in that our parents owned a summer cottage on “Lake Housatonic” which wasn’t a lake at all but a section of the Housatonic River between two dams, the Lake Zoar and Derby dams in Shelton, Connecticut.

As a family, we “moved” to camp the day after school let out for the summer and left it the day before school resumed for us back in Stratford, Connecticut. My earliest recollections of camp life are that it always included a boat or boats of some kind. Initially it was an old wooden 12-foot rowboat that we moved around the long lawn that extended from the cottage to the shoreline via a series of straight cedar logs. My dad would supervise us kids moving the logs from behind to in front of the boat depending on what direction we were going. We learned quickly to keep our bare feet out of the way.

At the beginning of the season, we would launch the boat into the lake and watch it leak water like a sieve for two days or so before we would get to bail it out. We kids were all concerned that the boat would sink and we would not get to use it but our dad said to have faith, it was just the boards that made up the bottom of the boat swelling up to their full size. If there was a particularly wide gap between boards when we had it upside down on the shore, my dad taught us how to drive a rope-like substance called Oakum into the gap with a screwdriver, putty knife, or chisel.

True to his word, we bailed out the boat and except for rainfall, it stayed bone dry all summer. About every third or fourth year, we had to put a new coat of paint on it. One year the boat was stolen and the thieves spray-painted it black. We knew that because the Derby police retrieved the boat from the thieves and returned it to us when they went to jail. My dad had carved some identification info under the bow seat that made the recovery easier. Word to the wise!

The boat was heavy and slow to row, but all the kids learned how to row and we wore out that boat going the eight miles or so up and down the “Housie.” It actually was a great fishing platform, and my brother John, who was a year and a half younger than me, used it daily to fish for all manner of fish in the river - mostly white and yellow perch, largemouth bass, Calico Bass, carp, and eels – all warm water fish.

One day dad came home from work with a 5 HP Champion outboard motor, and we thought we were in heaven. However, the motor never worked right, and dad wouldn’t spend the extra money to get it fixed. When it ran, we really got that rowboat moving even if it vibrated so much it tickled your backside. Problem was it never ran long enough to get a whole outing in.

As we were getting older, we needed something better and dad came through again this time with a 16-foot Winer fiberglass runabout with a 35 HP Johnson … we were styling then. The motor ran great, and we did many sightseeing cruises all over the lake. We also began water skiing as the boat had the power to pull us up out of the water and onto skis. All of us older kids, our brothers and sisters ages spanned over 15 years, learned to ski behind that boat.

When I was in high school, John and I had gotten the boating bug, and we began looking around Stratford for a boat of our own we could afford. We found an old Kapp Cruisette, an 18-foot wooden cabin cruiser that needed a lot of TLC stored on some timbers behind a local gas station. It was too heavy to be a ski boat, but it had a “V” bunk that could sleep three and a marine toilet. We hauled it home and began the refinishing process that would eventually turn it into what we considered a masterpiece. We had just finished painting the roof of the boat white when my father, who was hobby gardener, came around the corner and hit the wet paint with a water hose he always seemed to have in his hand when outdoors. We were hopping mad, but he had done us a favor because the water droplets made the surface non-skid and we were able to safely walk all over it.

We used that boat for several years mooring it at a public boat launch that had a decaying pier with posts to tie it to and anchored the back end that had a nice used 35 HP Elgin motor on it to an anchor. After a while we felt the pull to water ski more than we did camping out on the boat. so we put it up for sale. We rode our bikes down to the boat launch to meet a potential buyer after a super high tide only to find the boat sitting on the bottom with waves breaking over that roof. The tide had caused the anchor to drag and when the tide went out the bow of the boat hung up on a dock pier until the water came over the transom sinking the boat. The guy offered us $50 for the whole thing. We demurred.

Eventually we sold it and bought another boat, this one a 16-foot Starcraft with a 35 HP that pulled us and our many buddies all around the mouth of the Housatonic River where it empties into Long Island Sound. These experiences started my brother John and me off on a lifetime of owning boats of all kinds no matter where we lived. He currently lives in New Hampshire on Merrymeeting Lake and owns several boats including a 22-foot pontoon boat. I have my 18-foot Lund Alaskan with a 50 horse on the back on Thomas Pond, and I use it for fishing, cruising, and towing the grandkids around on tubes.

The only way you can go wrong about boats is if you don’t buy one! <

Windham Unified basketball team shows potential despite loss to Bonny Eagle

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s Unified basketball team had their home opener against Bonny Eagle on Friday, Jan. 23 and the team showed immense skill, and the season is shaping up to be a good one. Windham fought hard and left it all on the court but came up short against the Scots 69-54.

Windham sophomore Tristan Stanley passes the ball during
the Unified basketball season opener against Bonny Eagle
on Friday, Jan. 23. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Windham freshman Beckah Denis said it was fun for her to score a lot. Denis was the high scorer of the game with 12 points.

She said that she had a good time and even though they didn’t win, it’s having fun playing that matters; there was a lot of good teamwork and passing. She’s looking forward to the next game.

Bonny Eagle had a small lead early on in the game, but Windham quickly caught up when senior Zach O’Brion scored and freshman Martina Pennell sank a basket. Soon the game was tied, 8-8.

One of the coolest things about the Unified basketball games is how supportive the crowds are and there were even a few instances of the Scots giving Windham players a second chance to score a basket.

Sophomore Tristan Stanley sank two baskets in a row. Windham was slightly ahead and junior Olivia Edwards scored from outside the paint. This close game was now tied. 28-28.

The Scots gained a small advantage before halftime and led 32-28 at the first buzzer. During halftime, both teams had a dance break.

In the second half, Windham moved the ball well and had good defense and offense. Senior Mary Jean snagged the ball and scored with a layup. Denis scored.

Both teams showed excellent sportsmanship. Bonny Eagle began to pull away. Windham kept after it and stayed in the game until the very end but came up short.

O’Brion said although they lost by 14 points, hopefully they’ll get the win in the next game. The way the team played sets a good tone for the rest of the season. They played a very good game.

Senior O’Brion was working on his three-point shooting and while he did not make any this game, he came very, very close. He said he might make one in the next game.

“For our first game ... we have so many new kids, everyone worked their hardest and we came together as a team way more than I thought we would,” said Windham Unified basketball coach Anne Blake. “We’re looking good, I think it’s going to be a great season. They were passing the ball, they were sharing the ball, taking turns shooting. Defense needs a little work – we didn’t do too much on defense yet, but we’ll get there.” <

WMS 7th grade girls’ basketball thwarts Westbrook in Maine Basketball League playoff game

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Middle School’s seventh grade girls’ basketball team trailed at halftime during a game against Westbrook’s Paper City. Despite a slow start, the WMS offense battled back in the second half and surpassed Westbrook to take the lead and win 29-16 in a Maine Basketball League Playoff game at Portland Turf Sports Complex on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Ella Higgins of Windham Middle School's Seventh Grade 
girls' basketball team is unstoppable as she heads to the
basket in a Maine Basketball League playoff game against
Westbrook's Paper City at Portland Turf Sports Complex
on Saturday, Jan. 24. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

The Maine Basketball League Playoffs feature 11 teams from Grades 4 through 8 in a double-elimination tournament.

“We played better in the press, created more turnovers which turned into points,” said Brinley Sargent of WMS. “Playing in our zone defense turned the game in our favor.”

Sargent said teamwork led to the win and to win their next game they need to close out when they shoot and crash the boards. And she said that they’ll be ready to win next time.

Windham came out aggressive and had strong defense right from the start. Ella Higgins had two turnovers against Westbrook early in the game. This was a low scoring game to start, and not a lot of Windham’s shots were falling.

Westbrook led 10-7 at intermission.

In the second half, Windham showed this was their game to win and they intended on doing so. Eagle offense was ramped up and Kelenese Dickson sank a three-pointer. Windham defense remained strong.

“I think we realized that we are better than this team and definitely moved the ball around while looking up to see who was open,” said Dickson. “It felt great (to sink those three pointers). It helped our team gain confidence and a better mindset. I think we won because we didn’t give up even though we started a little slow. I hope we train hard in practice and practice being more aggressive so we can continue to win.”

This close game was now tied 14-14. Avary Caiazzo sunk a basket from the foul line and Windham began to pull away. Shots were falling for the Eagles.

“We did a lot better on talking to each other on our cuts and passes, spacing and moving the ball around,” said Higgins. “I think we made smart decisions on where we were going to pass the ball and what were good shots and what were bad shots.”

A little under 5 minutes remained in the game and the Eagles had over a 10-point lead. Dickson nailed another three-pointer and as the clock wound down, this game was too far out-of-reach for Westbrook.

“Westbrook was pressuring our ball and our guards up high,” said Windham seventh grade girls’ coach Ben Delewski. “We just had more movement on the initial pass. The wings went down to the corners and more initial movement opened things up. I liked our defense the whole time, we switched between zone and man – which at seventh grade is kind of hard – but they are coming along, our 2-2-1 full-court press went well. It’s one game at a time, but we’ll ... face Greely, who we haven’t beat yet this season. It’ll go back to offense in the second half where we have to have more off-the-ball movement early in our offense that should open up things. We always rely on our defense – that’s our bread and butter.”

The Windham Middle School Seventh Grade girls’ team will face Greely at Biddeford Intermediate School at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 as the Maine Basketball League playoffs continue. <

WHS Alpine Ski Team shines in Western Maine Conference giant slalom race

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s Alpine Ski team showed they are getting stronger every race when they raced York, Edward Little, Cape Elizabeth, Traip Academy and Leavitt, from the Western Maine Conference, a conference they don’t normally compete against, in the giant slalom at Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton on Monday, Jan. 19. Windham girls finished second with a score of 56; the boys finished third with a score of 60.

Windham freshman Emma Mathieu puts the brakes on
after a run on the giant slalom course during a prep 
Alpine skiing race against York, Edward Little,
Traip Academy and Leavitt at Pleasant Mountain in
Bridgton on Monday, Jan. 19.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“It’s nice to get a different outlook on competition and also racing against other skiers they might race against in states,” said Windham Alpine Ski coach Christine Fredette. “It’s good to have that preliminary look at what they’re up against. All of our skiers stayed on their feet and finished strong. For some of our younger racers that are just coming in, this is their first attempt at giant slalom and they did really, really well.”

Both Fredette and her assistant coach Mike Chase agreed that what needs work is more practice time.

GIRLS

Freshman Emma Mathieu finished first for the girls’ team and 22nd overall with a combined time of 1:15.18 minutes.

Junior Maya Dries finished second for the girls and 30th overall with a combined 1:20.80 time.

Senior Ella Washburn was right behind Dries with a combined time of 1:21.27.

“Today was a fun race for us to get back into it, it’s only our second giant slalom race of the season,” said Washburn. “I think everyone did really well; we all tried to go out there and have fun and work on what we’ve been working on in practice. Conditions were icy today, the new snow definitely helped, it was a little bit icy our second run but definitely better than conditions have been. All of us put in a lot of effort and improvement and some of the best times we’ve seen this season. A lot of us can work on getting early on the gates and trusting our edges a lot more especially in these icy conditions; trusting ourselves and implementing what we’ve been working on in practices during these races.”

Courtney Cotter, a freshman, finished fourth for the girls with a combined time of 1:22.90.

Anna Lane, a senior, finished fifth with a 1:27.66 time.

BOYS

“I think it’s a great opportunity to race against (a different) conference and see what the other teams are about and see what racers they have,” said Windham senior Finn Jorgensen, who finished first for Windham and 20th overall with a combined time of 1:13.76. “First run was really good; it’s been soft snow throughout today, really didn’t get that underlayer of ice until the second run. A simple and fast course; I see growth from the team everyday whether it’s on the snow or off the snow. I think we are trying to grow together. Growth in attitude and mindset and more time on snow (need work). We have a lot of young racers, I’m really proud of everybody for what they put in ... we’re going to have a really good year.”

In second place for the boys’ team and 24th overall was junior Bryce Jarvais with a combined time of 1:16.45.

Sophomore Liam Wade was 27th overall and third for the boys with a 1:18.89 combined time.

Fourth for the boys was sophomore Nick Sferes with a combined time of 1:27.57.

Behind Sferes was freshman Cody Ruth with a combined 1:27.96 time.

Ryder Lopes, a sophomore, finished sixth for the boys with a 1:28.21 time.

Finishing in seventh place for the boys was sophomore Miles Morrison with a combined 1:36.25 time. <

 

Tales from the Woods: The Flood

By Bob Chapin

You can learn about rivers flooding from the TV or newspaper articles but until you personally experience a flood you can be excused for not appreciating the power and impact a river has when it overflows its banks.

Bob Chapin

As I have mentioned in previous articles, we were fortunate that our parents owned a summer cabin in Birchbank on Lake Housatonic, in Shelton, Connecticut created by the Stevenson and Derby dams on the Housatonic River. For the most part the river was placid and rarely moved up or down a foot or so all year depending upon rainfall and the demand for hydroelectric power. That was until the summer of 1957.

That year we, and all of the watershed throughout the valley, had lots of summer rain. The ground was super saturated. The entire river system had lots of dams on it and they were there, in large part, to help regulate the flow of water, to allow a gradual release to prevent flooding, and let the water make its way safely to Long Island Sound.

For the most part it worked well. However, toward the end of the summer of 1957, the watershed could not tolerate the amount of rainwater falling and the independently operated dam monitors began releasing water to prevent flooding in their neck of the woods. By being above the last dam before the sound, the dams above shed water to relieve their pressure, and it accumulated above the Derby dam, and our lake began to rise.

The water level was 20 to 30 feet up on our lawn when my dad began talking about maybe evacuating. There was still 200 feet or so before the water would reach the camp, so we all thought we were safe. I recall his wading down to where we tied up our rowboat and he moved the boat from the dock, (which was already under water and floating off its supports), and tied it to a tree at the shoreline.

About 3 a.m. we had a knock on the door, and it was a first responder who was telling us that we had to evacuate. We hurriedly packed up our clothes and pet cats and drove out through lower lying areas already filling with water.

There was only one road into and out of this area and it ran alongside a railroad track. The road ran behind most of the cabins then climbed steeply up a hillside before running by a State Park that was already under water. The winter went by before we drove back to the cabin the following spring.

The sight we saw upon returning to the cabin made our hearts sink. There was no sign at all of the rowboat or the canoe we had.

Ours was the last property in a line of 40 to 50 upstream properties that all had large lawns down to the water and we had a line of “woods” or trees that began on the downstream edge of our property from the cabin to the water. What that meant was that the trees became a huge strainer catching everything that came downstream.

Our 200-foot wide lawn was completely covered with every imaginable piece of driftwood, lawn chairs, dock parts, broken boats and canoes, anything that could float came down river and stopped at our lawn. In the end, the river had risen all the way to the cabin and 17 inches deep into the cellar.

We spent the next two summers cleaning up the mess and trying to get the grass to grow, which would take yet another summer. The good news is that we had all the firewood we would ever need as long as we cut it up and stacked it for later use. Thoughtfully, our boat and canoe were found intact downstream and returned to us.

When I read stories about floods in other parts of the country and overseas, I am now a lot more sympathetic to the plight of the residents affected by these floods. <

Trail Blazers hockey falls in overtime to Gorham on Military and First Responder Appreciation Night

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham/Bonny Eagle/Westbrook Trail Blazers hockey team were tied 1-1 going into the third period on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the University of Maine in Gorham. Both teams went back and forth during the third period. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 3-3. Trail Blazers had several shots on goal during overtime, but partway through overtime Gorham scored and won 4-3.

Trail Blazers sophomore Josh Arbour of Windham is first to
the puck during a prep hockey game against Gorham at the
University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Saturday, Jan. 17,
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLLA

This was also the Trail Blazers first Military and First Responder Appreciation Night. Current and retired military and first responders were honored with a round of applause from the crowd. 

The Maine Correctional Facility Honor Guard was present while the Windham Chamber Singers sang the National Anthem. All donations went to the Westbrook/Windham American Legion. 

The Trail Blazers wore special military jerseys during the game.

“We played a good game, we played physical, played all the way to the end,” said Bonny Eagle senior Mason Caron. “Got running around in overtime, Gorham got the chance, they scored the goal. We had plenty of chances (in overtime) just couldn’t capitalize on them. We like to turn our backs to the puck (which needs work) and when we do that (Gorham) got the opportunity and they scored. We made a lot of contact, shot the puck a lot and forechecked great, had the puck in their zone a lot of the game. Keep working ... capitalize more, get the puck in the back of the net.”

The Trail Blazers came out with intensity in the first period. Their passing and defense were solid. They had several shots on goal and one that hit the crossbar.

Late in the first period, Bonny Eagle freshman Alden McGivney scored. Gorham was quick to respond and after one period the game was tied 1-1.

The second period had several nice stops from Trail Blazers goalie and Bonny Eagle junior Sawyer Perkins who had 24 saves. Trail Blazers defense remained strong, and while offense had several chances, nothing landed. The game remained tied 1-1 after two periods.

The third period is where both teams showed they wanted this win. McGivney scored after he fired a shot right at goal. Gorham responded with roughly eight minutes left and the game was tied 2-2. Caron scored; Gorham scored. The game went into overtime with the score 3-3 after regulation play.

“Third period we tried to come out as hot ... came out buzzing,” said McGivney. “Everyone on the team ... did good. We did everything we could besides outscore them. There were a couple plays our angling wasn’t there, we could have laid the body a few more times. I feel like everyone put in a lot of effort and everyone had a great attitude.”

Four minutes into overtime, Gorham broke the tie.

“It was an all-out effort, retrieve the pucks, attacking when we didn’t have the pucks, covering for each other,” said Trail Blazers coach Ben Haskell. “They had good bodies in the front and defended their end really well. Gorham took advantage of us twice on the penalty kill and in overtime ... a bad pass or bad play and Gorham capitalized on it. We tried changing some lines up a little bit, just more awareness in our defensive zone (is needed). We’re going to learn from it and grow from it and move on from this. (Trail Blazers) represented well. There were moments in the first period where they started laying off, and we had ... not as much energy at the start of the second, but we came into it. It could have gone either way.”

Since Windham and Gorham are neighboring towns, Military and First Responder Appreciation Night was a good game to share this honor with. Donors bought the jerseys; the team really loved the jerseys and to be able to honor and thank military and first responders. <

WHS girls’ basketball continues streak with massive win over rival Gorham

By Matt Pascarella

In their third consecutive win, Windham crushed rival Gorham in a game where Eagles’ defense kept the Rams scoreless during the entire third quarter. Windham ran up the scoreboard in that third quarter and put the game away. At the final buzzer, the Eagles won, 41-20.

Windham sophomore Eliana Kostopoulos drives past
defenders on the way to the hoop in a girls' basketball
game against Gorham at Windham High School on
Saturday, Jan. 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“We had a good first half,” said Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes. “We didn’t make a whole lot of shots, but we made the shots that we wanted and that was important. The discussion at halftime was keep defending like you are, keep doing what you’re doing offensively because the shots you are getting are good shots – they’ll fall. For us it’s about an intensity level that the other team really has to focus on, playing us versus playing them. Our kids were pretty fired up for the game today; anytime we play Gorham we get fired up.”

Windham began the game with intensity and moved the ball quickly. Gorham had a small lead early on, but the Eagles rebounded and fought back in this close game. In the second quarter the game was tied at 12-12.

Eagle defense controlled the ball and kept Gorham from getting any traction.

Mackenzie Delewski, a sophomore, sank a three-pointer for Windham.

Freshman Carly Franzoni hit a three-pointer and Windham led 17-12 midway through.

“We knew that they were going to be in the zone, so we wanted to make sure we had a lot of ball movement and rebounded well because we knew they were really athletic,” said Franzoni. “(In the third quarter) we played really good defense; we made sure their best player didn’t get any shots up. We had really good team communication. We had confidence with the ball. Knowing where we are, where we need to be (needs work). This gives us a lot of confidence (as we approach our next games).”

From the start of the second half, Windham made it impossible for Gorham to regain the lead.

Junior Isabella Vassoler sunk a three-pointer and Windham led by more than 10 points.

Going into the fourth quarter, Windham had prevented Gorham from scoring at all in the third quarter.

“We definitely had an underdog approach; we know we can beat them,” said sophomore Eliana Kostopoulos. “We have to come out strong, and we have to know what we’re doing and what roles we’re going to play. I think coach definitely had a good halftime talk with us and we came out ready to continue. We were very organized and (played) good team basketball. Taking care of the ball a little bit more (needs work), making sure we’re not making bad passes and making sure we know who’s behind us. We are riding high right now; we are really excited. I think we ... focus on the next game.”

The Eagles maintained their substantial lead, as at one point they led by 20 points.

As the clock wound down, Windham was way out of reach and defense kept Gorham’s scoring opportunities minimal.

“We want to stay playing the way that we play all the time regardless of who we play – and that’s been kind of the message,” said Artes. “We got to take things one game at a time but prepare for them like they’re the best. I thought we were patient with the ball, we were organized, we were composed ... our shooting is something we want to continue to get better at, decision making in the first half, we had a couple bad passes. For the most part I thought we had a pretty complete game overall.” <

WMS boys’ eighth grade basketball wins in OT, seventh grade falls in heartbreaker

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Middle School’s eighth and seventh grade boys’ basketball teams played Auburn at Windham on Monday, Jan. 12 and the eighth-grade team forced overtime where they pulled ahead and held off the Falcons, 58-54. The seventh-grade WMS team played a close, intense game where they came up just shy; at the final buzzer and lost to Auburn. 55-52.

Windham Middle School eighth grader Cooper Dickson
makes his way to the basket during a boys' middle school
basketball game against Auburn at Windham Middle
School on Monday, Jan. 12.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

EIGHTH GRADE

Logan Bonnvie sunk two three-pointers. Windham hustled and rebounded. SJ DePaolo sunk a three-pointer. After one quarter, Windham had a significant lead.

Cooper Dickson hit a three-pointer. Auburn quickly made up their deficit and weren’t far behind.

At halftime, Auburn led 24-22.

This game was much closer than it had been. Dickson sank another three-pointer. The score went back and forth with the score fluctuating.

“Hustling and going for loose balls, staying as a team and hitting our shots (led to the win),” said Dickson. “We were pressing, we were trying to get steals, we were putting 100 percent into it, working our hardest so they could feel pressurized and we could get that win. Our intensity and energy (went well) in the last bits of the game. When we found that groove and momentum, we started playing good.”

DePaolo had a buzzer-beater basket that tied the game 47-47 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, the game was quickly tied 52-52. Windham pressured and ran up the scoreboard to put them just out of reach of the Falcons as the final buzzer went off.

“During overtime, it was keeping it one possession at a time, both offensively and defensively and trying to make things difficult for Auburn and get shots at our end,” said WMS eighth grade boys’ basketball coach Adam Manzo. “The first quarter (Windham) came out and played really, really well. They moved the ball and tried to get the ball (inside the paint); a lot of the shots we had in the first quarter were open shots we had after a drive. This is a great group of kids who are very talented and have had a successful year so far. They are smart kids who understand the game.”

SEVENTH GRADE

This was an incredibly fast-paced game, and the Eagles took an early lead after the first quarter. Ethan Bonnvie sank a three-pointer. Windham turned the ball over on Auburn a few times. The game was tied 15-15.

Liam Wood sank two three-pointers; this game was close. Joel Delewski hit a three-pointer. Windham led 26-25 at intermission.

“I think we played pretty good overall,” said Max Inzerillo. “I think at the end we could have rebounded better ... take charges. We played pretty good on the offensive end, just some shots weren’t hitting, we weren’t getting as many calls. I think we played the best we could. I think if we attacked a little more at the end instead of settling for outside shots.”

Shortly into the second half, the game was tied 30-30. Auburn did pull away a little, but a few three-pointers would turn this game around for the Eagles.

Delewski and Inzerillo brought the score up after they made multiple shots from the top of the key. The game was tied 46-46.

With nine seconds left, Windham was down by three. They had one last attempt to tie the game but unfortunately it fell short.

“What went well was rebounding especially in the second half, they were way more engaged,” said WMS seventh grade boys’ basketball coach Quinton Lindsay. “Boxing out and rebounding (need work). They got to be more aggressive on the offense rebounds, defense rebounds, defense all-around. (The loss was) unlucky. Auburn is a good team, coached very well. We made some mental mistakes, which is bound to happen, but the kids learn from it.” <

Wolfpack wrestling earns double victory in tri-meet

By Matt Pascarella

As prep wrestling enters the halfway point for the season, the Windham/Gray New-Gloucester/Westbrook Wolfpack wrestling team took on Wells and Deering at Deering in Portland on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Wolfpack knew their competition and planned accordingly with every wrestler ready to leave it all on the mat. The Wolfpack beat Wells, 42-34, and knocked down Deering, 42-32.

Windham senior Josh Hamby stays with his opponent during
a prep wrestling match against Deering at Deering High
School in Portland on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I got to win twice, 2-0, got a pinfall, got a lot of points for my team,” said Westbrook freshman Khriz Alvarez. “Overall, the team cooperated very well, put a lot of effort in and we ended up winning both our matches. Wells had a forfeit which stunk, because I really wanted to wrestle. Deering brought the fight – (The Wolfpack) brought the fight back to Deering.”

WELLS

The 126-pound weight class had Westbrook senior Ben Corriveau who quickly pinned his opponent.

In the 132-pound weight class, Gray New-Gloucester freshman Lee Thompson brought his rival to the mat and had control of the match for a majority of it. He soon flipped the Wells wrestler to his back and got the pin.

Westbrook senior Ali fought back hard in the 144-pound weight class and avoided an early pinning possibility. While he gave it his all, he got pinned.

Windham senior Josh Hamby took the mat for the 150-pound weight class. He got the takedown, flipped his competition and got the pin.

Freshman Nate Somma of Windham would not be held down in the 215-pound weight class. He fought hard and pushed the match to a third period. He avoided being pinned and won the match by decision.

DEERING

Thompson held on until the third period and would not be pinned. While he did not get a pin, he did win by decision.

Hamby also pushed the match to the third period. He fought hard, stayed in it the entire time and won by decision.

“I think it was pretty nice; we won both of them which was pretty good,” said Hamby. “A lot of good wrestling out there from my teammates. I feel like Deering stuck with us throughout the meet more than Wells did. Overall, we did well communicating with each other, teammates helping other teammates. Being able to finish a move you start on (needs work).”

Alvarez pinned his opponent after an intense match.

“We had seen Wells before in a couple of tournaments, and I knew they were strong,” said Wolfpack coach John Nicholas. “I also knew they were giving up some forfeits so if we came in with a pretty full squad, we had a good chance of beating them. We still needed to be on our ‘A’ game because it was still a close meet. Kids came through and battled hard. We’re starting to slowly get kids back from sickness and injuries, which is going to be huge for our dual season. We knew Deering had a full lineup – I told the kids ahead of time we may have to move you around or bump you up a weight class, so ... be ready. The kids rebounded and were willing to (fluctuate) weight classes and I think that’s what made a difference in the duals. I was pretty happy overall tonight. I think getting the first takedown in the matches was key and getting the pins when we had the chance – we put the kids to their backs and got the pins, that really energized the team, so we’re going to continue to work on that moving forward.” <

WHS indoor track shows early season skills in New Year’s Invitational

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s boys’ and girls’ indoor track teams exceled during the first track meet of 2026, called the New Year’s Invitational and featuring schools from all over Maine and some parts of New Hampshire held at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Windham freshman Madisen Valliere competes in the high
jump during the New Year's Invitational Pentathlon
indoor track event at the University of Southern Maine
in Gorham on Friday, Jan. 2.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Five Windham athletes participated in the Pentathlon at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Friday, Jan. 2. The Pentathlon consists of the 55-meter hurdles, the high jump, the shotput, the long jump and the 800-meter for the girls and 1,000-meter for the boys. High scorers were senior Mason Arbour who placed fifth overall with a score of 2724 and freshman Madisen Valliere who placed seventh overall with a score of 1759 – her first time competing in a pentathlon.

GIRLS 

“When you have a meet like this, it quasi-replicates the big championship meets,” said Windham girls’ indoor track and field coach Jeff Riddle. “What I saw that went really well was the team mindset of showing up and being here and wanting to be here and trying new things. To see them implement what we are working on back at school is the whole point.”

Senior Addison Shanoltz said she didn’t know what to expect coming into today. She set a new school record in the pole vault when she skyrocketed 9-6 feet and finished second overall.

In the 800, junior Grace Lee finished seventh overall with a time of 2:33.23 minutes. Not far behind, teammate and senior Emma Fox finished 12th overall with a 2:37.18 time.

“It was a good race ... we all grouped together. It was good competition,” said Fox. “My goal was to (get a personal record) and go out and run the fastest time that I ran this year – and I did do that. There are so many teams at this invitational and that preps you for who you’ll be going against at regionals and during the state championship.”

Valliere threw 23-0.77 in the Pentathlon shotput and finished fifth in that event.

"I’ve never done track before, so it’s cool to be a freshman and doing it,” said Valliere. “My goal was to get a personal best on a bunch of these because I haven’t done (a lot of) these events before. I think this will expand my event (experience) and open me up to (participating in other events).”

BOYS 

“I think that was our mindset coming in – let’s just pick one or two events we want to focus on and see if we can stay sharp,” said Windham boys’ indoor track and field coach Paula Pock. “Everyone did great on the Pentathlon. It shows participants of the Pentathlon and this invitational that they are capable of far more than they think. It’s an opportunity to face a lot of competition we don’t generally see during the regular season.”

In the 800, junior Mason Bragdon finished with a time of 2:17.95, a personal record for him.

“It’s high adrenaline all the way through and it gives you that bump of getting faster times later in the season,” said Bragdon. “The 5K (yesterday) helped with the mindset. This was only 4 laps; I ran 25 yesterday. My goal for today was to hit a sub 220 benchmark.”

Behind him was senior Caleb Saucier with a time of 2:28.47, who participated in the Pentathlon the day prior.

Saucier said the Pentathlon was good practice for the New Year’s Invitational. During the Pentathlon, he finished sixth in the 1,000-meter run with a 3:05.17 time.

“This invitational is more experience, more experience with the nerves, with the environment of the meets,” said Saucier. “Every meet matters ... every chance to compete ... really helps progress me further. It’s more fun (to have a larger group to compete against). I think our team as a whole has been doing pretty well.” <

Windham swim team starts strong in season opener against Yarmouth

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s swimming team opened the season against Yarmouth at Greely High School in Cumberland on Saturday, Dec. 20. Windham finished first in several events and when they didn’t place first, they weren’t far behind in a strong season opener.

Windham sophomore Beckett Bragdon showcases his speed
in the prep swimming season opener against Yarmouth
at Greely High School in Cumberland on Saturday,
Dec. 20. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I think this sets a very optimistic tone,” said Windham swim coach Peter Small. “It’s early in the season and it’s your first race so we use it as a litmus test to say, ‘where are you now?’ Yes, we want to beat Yarmouth, but ultimately, it’s where we are right now, and how do we improve to get to March 6. Everybody had a couple things that we want to improve upon, and I think we were able to measure improvement on every single one of them. Even if they were disappointed in their time, it’s more about the technique. I’m very optimistic going forward, and I think our turns were better than they ever have been ... we really put a specialty focus on it this week. We’ve really been focusing on length over stroke so we’re really propelling ourselves forward and I think we’ve greatly improved over that. Our arm placement in the water (needs work). It’s time to ramp up the habits of efficiency in the water.”

The Eagles hit the water ready to get this season going.

Sophomore Rocco DiDonato finished first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:13.88 minutes.

In the girls 50-freestyle, sophomore Stephanie Roghelia had a first-place finish with a time of 28.36 seconds.

Beckett Bragdon, a Windham sophomore, finished first in the boys 50-freestyle with a 26.82 time. He also finished first in the 100-breaststroke with a 1:18.39 time.

In the 100-freestyle freshman Lauren Nickel finished second with a 1:13.20 time.

In the 500-freestyle, junior Maya Fitts finished second with an 8:50.94 time.

DiDonato had another first-place finish in the 500-freestyle with a 5:53.91 time, almost a full minute ahead of his competitor.

“I think the relay carnival was good to see where we’re starting at,” said DiDonato. “Now that we’ll practice more, it’ll be good to see where everyone is going to be in a few weeks. I think we were very strong today. I think our sportsmanship was very good today, and many of the swimmers improved their times a lot. Our starts and our turns (need work) and those can always be better. I think it’s going to be a great season. Even though we have less people, we’re stronger this year as a team.”

In the 100-breaststroke, Roghelia finished almost a full five seconds ahead of her opponent in her first-place finish where she had a 1:20.38 time.

“I think it went pretty good, we’re at the beginning of the season and working on technique and building that endurance you need for swim,” said Roghelia. “I’m pretty happy with how the first few weeks have been going. Things I think went really well were everyone’s turns and dives – we’ve been working really hard on. Also, just everyone’s pushing themselves because for some people this is the first time they’ve swam (in a high school meet), and they did very well. I think some things that need work are bringing some more energy to the table, more technique and more endurance. I think this meet sets the tone of determination; this is some people’s first time swimming, and I think we can really just go from here and this is just a starting point.” <

WHS graduate applies intensity of athletics to academics

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School 2019 graduate Meghan Hoffses played soccer and basketball while at Windham High School and then went on to attend the University of Southern Maine at the Gorham and Portland campuses. She played soccer there her sophomore year but chose academics over athletics and focused hard to achieve her degree in public health in 2023. She received her Advanced Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from the Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston on Dec. 12.

Windham High 2019 graduate Meghan
Hoffses is shown during her sophomore
year when she was on the soccer team
for the University of Southern Maine. 
She earned a degree in public health and
on Dec 12 received an Advanced
Certificate in Diagnostic Medical
Sonography from the Maine College 
of Health Professionals in Lewiston.
COURTESY PHOTO
USM ATHLETICS   

“Ultrasound school was both humbling and rewarding,” said Hoffses. “I am so excited to have recently graduated from Maine College of Health Professions and look forward to working at Maternal Fetal Medicine post-graduation. Being able to work with women during such a pivotal chapter of their lives is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.”

She always knew she wanted to work in healthcare. She toured the Maine College of Health Professions during her sophomore year and knew that after she graduated from USM, she wanted to go into sonography. Hoffses has an interest in anatomy and physiology with a passion for working in women’s health.

When she attended USM, she made the Dean’s List five times and was also a member of the National Honor Society. As a student at the Maine College of Health Professions she made the Deans List three times and was a Lamda Nu Radiologic and Imaging Sciences National Honor Society member.

During her one year of soccer at USM, she received the William B. Wise Scholar Athlete Award for the 2020 season. After choosing academics over playing a college sport, she stressed the importance of staying active by going to the gym, taking spin classes, attending yoga classes, weightlifting and running.

"As someone who was an athlete throughout high school and part of college, I was able to exercise in new ways and at whatever times best suited my schedule,” said Hoffses. “I typically exercise four to five times a week. Staying active has always been a priority for me and is a core part of who I am. Exercise is not only something that I enjoy, but it gives me structure in my day, and I feel my most energized and grounded when I make it a priority.”

She does miss playing both soccer and basketball. Hoffses enjoyed being part of a team and feeling like she was part of something bigger than herself. She made lifelong friendships and connections through playing basketball. While it’s been a while since she last played, she said it would be fun for her to help coach young girls at some point down the road.

“Meg has been one of my closest friends for as long as I can remember,” said former WHS teammate and friend Tara Flanders. “She has always been an extremely loyal friend and teammate. Although Meg and I didn’t get the chance to play sports together in college, our time playing basketball at Windham are memories I will cherish forever -- all the practices, Saturday morning youth clinics, games, and everything in between. As a friend, you always want to see the people you care about grow and succeed, and Meg has done exactly that. In high school, Meg ... brought high intensity every time she stepped on the field and court. I knew that as soon as I grabbed a rebound, I could always count on her to already be flying up the court ahead of everyone else.”

Hoffses said her advice for current athletes looking to play collegiately, is to give 100 percent effort and dedicate their time in the off-season. She also said to stay on top of academics because doing so will ensure that every door is open when deciding to play at the college level. Time management with practice and homework is an important skill to learn while in high school, which can pay off in college.

Lastly, Hoffses said to enjoy every moment. Being part of a team is a special feeling, and people are not lying when they say it goes by fast. <