Windham High’s Unified basketball battles hard late in game but falls to South Portland

By Matt Pascarella

More than halfway through the season, Windham’s Unified basketball team is really looking good, and this was on full display during their game against South Portland at South Portland High School on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Windham trailed by only one point at halftime and as the clock was winding down in the second half, they made a stellar push to pull ahead in this exciting game. However, the Red Riots grabbed the lead and were able to hold onto it until the final buzzer winning 49-38.

e

Windham freshman Akeira Howard rushes toward the hoop
during a Unified basketball game at South Portland
High School on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“We had good defense,” said Windham Unified basketball head coach Anne Blake. “The team is coming together; we had much better passing and sharing of the ball; it was an awesome game.”

To start, Windham exhibited great offense and kept up with South Portland for a large portion of the first half. A basket from Windham freshman Bekah Denis helped to tie up the game at 10-10.

The Eagles hustled and rebounded. Windham freshman Theron McLauchlan sank a three-pointer as the clock wound down in the first half.

The defense and hustle went really well,” said McLauchlan. “It was fun; it felt good (to sink that three-pointer). I felt it was a little bit of luck and a little bit of skill at the same time.”

In the second half, Windham Unified players went hard after the ball as they tried to take the lead. Windham freshman Akeira Howard gathered in at least two turnovers where she snagged the ball and headed for the hoop.

Senior Zach O’Brion sank a three-pointer.

“(I think this game went) good,” said O’Brion. “We lost, but we had good steals and (lots of good teamwork).”

The game was very close toward the end of the second half, with Windham only two or three points away from tying the game. Windham’s offense worked hard, but not all the shots that Windham took fell.

The Eagles did not give up; they kept at it until the final buzzer. South Portland was able to take the lead and hold on to it until the final buzzer.

Junior Olivia Edwards, who scored eight points for the Eagles, said that Windham had great teamwork. She said they passed the ball well and took good shots, like the three-pointers. Edwards said she had fun and is looking forward to the next game.

“I think we did a good job of fighting for rebounds and defending as best we could but ultimately, I think the size difference was too much for us,” said Windham Unified basketball assistant coach Connor McNeill. “We have been off for a while due to school vacation and snow days. I think the more we get our stamina back the better prepared we will be for the next game.”

Windham’s Unified basketball team is composed of students with and without developmental disabilities playing together on the same team competing for their school against other schools in their league and area. The Unified sports movement is built on the premise that through sport and playing together, players see one another for what they can do, not for what they cannot do. <