The Windham Youth Basketball Association fifth-grade boys’ ‘Black’ basketball team played a crucial game in the double elimination Maine Basketball League Playoffs. The Black team had narrowly lost to the Windham ‘White’ team in the first game of the playoffs. Windham’s ‘Black’ team left it all on the court but ultimately lost to Gardiner, 51-28.
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| Fifth-grader Callen Call of the Windham Youth Basketball Association keeps his eyes on his defender as he holds onto possession of the ball in the Maine Basketball League playoffs against Gardiner at XL Sportsworld in Saco on Saturday, Jan. 31. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
While out of the Maine Basketball League Playoffs, Stubbert said that this team still has the opportunity to participate in the Town Team tournament, which is a statewide tournament with no Amateur Athletic Union teams. This fifth-grade Windham boys’ team will get the chance to play in three to four games minimum, more if they win. This tournament is a good chance to get a look at players from across the state.
Early in the game against Gardiner, Windham moved the ball well and offense was working hard to get them on the scoreboard. Gardiner took an early lead, but it was Windham’s Roman Eaton who sank a foul shot to get Windham on the scoreboard.
Windham’s Landen Rancourt also sank a basket from just inside the arc.
Gardiner was way out in front, but Windham kept at it and slowly began closing the gap. At the half, Gardiner led 21-8.
The Windham boys kept their heads up in the second half and started the half strong. Callen Call sunk a three-pointer. Then moments later, he did it again.
The lead remained with Gardiner, but Windham battled hard until the very end.
“We did good,” said Call. “It’s just (Gardiner) is a pretty good team. I feel like I played pretty good, our passing (went well). Our cuts (need work) because ... we don’t look at the ball.”
Malachi Coady hit a buzzer beater before the very end of the game.
“(I learned) to never quit (from this game),” said Coady. “We passed and moved the ball around well. Keeping our energy up and playing harder (might have flipped the score).”
Stubbert said he was listening to them on the bench, and the kids were very supportive of each other. He didn’t see a lot of hanging heads and their attitude in general was positive despite the negative outcome. Stubbert said they are a resilient group that will bounce back.<
Windham’s Landen Rancourt also sank a basket from just inside the arc.
Gardiner was way out in front, but Windham kept at it and slowly began closing the gap. At the half, Gardiner led 21-8.
The Windham boys kept their heads up in the second half and started the half strong. Callen Call sunk a three-pointer. Then moments later, he did it again.
The lead remained with Gardiner, but Windham battled hard until the very end.
“We did good,” said Call. “It’s just (Gardiner) is a pretty good team. I feel like I played pretty good, our passing (went well). Our cuts (need work) because ... we don’t look at the ball.”
Malachi Coady hit a buzzer beater before the very end of the game.
“(I learned) to never quit (from this game),” said Coady. “We passed and moved the ball around well. Keeping our energy up and playing harder (might have flipped the score).”
Stubbert said he was listening to them on the bench, and the kids were very supportive of each other. He didn’t see a lot of hanging heads and their attitude in general was positive despite the negative outcome. Stubbert said they are a resilient group that will bounce back.<
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