Windham varsity girls’ basketball falls at home to Oxford Hills

By Matt Pascarella

Windham varsity girls’ basketball hosted Oxford Hills on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and despite fighting hard for a solid 32 minutes, the Vikings prevailed over the Lady Eagles, 44-37.

Windham sophomore Denali Momot takes a shot from inside
the paint during a girls' prep basketball game against
Oxford Hills at Windham High School on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Before the game, Windham senior Stella Jarvais was presented with the “Little Eyes Upon You Award” by Maine Optometry. This honor was established by Pat Moody when he was president of Windham Youth Basketball Association. The award is given to a senior that demonstrates commitment to youth in their community. Members and current WYBA President Ben Delewski and WYBA board member Erik Bowen, who also serves on the Pat Moody Foundation, handed Jarvais the award.

“I think it’s just like an eye-opener, especially growing up in the Windham Youth Basketball program,” said Jarvais, who scored 12 points against Oxford Hills. “Always looking up to the next big star and it being surreal that I’m the person that everyone is looking up to. It’s something that I don’t expect, I’m just playing because I love the sport, not because I’m trying to impress anyone. It represents all the work I’ve put into it from me being in kindergarten to now being a senior, I think it’s cool to see the growth that I’ve accomplished through the years, and it’s especially cool to be recognized.”

Early on against the Vikings, Windham moved the ball well and the game was tight, with Windham leading by one point after the first quarter.

Oxford Hills capitalized on several turnovers and pulled ahead, sinking a couple of three-pointers. Although the Vikings had the lead, Windham was right on their heels and Oxford Hills only led 22-19 at the half.

In the second half, Windham rebounded well, and junior Addison Caiazzo sank a three-pointer.

“Late in the game (we) switched defenses from man-to-man to zone,” said Windham sophomore Denali Momot. “I think especially in the first half, our cuts were a little bit better, but some people were just not seeing them, me being one of them. We had a lot of open shots, and we got each other open very well. In the second half we brought up our defense ... we shut down some of their best players as much as we could.”

With roughly three minutes remaining, just seven points separated the two teams.

“Kids worked hard for 32 minutes against arguably the best team, just a tough matchup overall for us,” said Windham varsity girls’ basketball coach Brody Artes. “There were a couple little stretches where we let things get away from us, but for the most part we did what we needed to do and competed ... the best we could. Defensively we’re very good again and that’s going to be our backbone this year. We just got to make sure we ride that going (up against Cheverus) and find some offense to go with that. We got to make sure we get good looks and be strong with the ball, take good shots and if we do those things, we’ll be OK.”

Windham did not let up until the final buzzer.

“Facing the fact that one of our top-leading scorers has been out, has been a challenge for us but not letting that get to our heads and our defense really carries us a lot; playing with our defensive side really helped us” said Windham junior Marley Jarvais. “Our main goal was to stop Ella (Pelletier) and (Gabbie) Tibbetts, which we contained in the first half, but Ella is just unstoppable. I think we did a good job putting pressure on her and Stella did a really good job defending her. I think breaking the press went well ... we fixed how aggressive we were cutting in the second half rather than the first half which helped us a lot. Going to our passes (needs work); we tend to wait for the ball and watch the ball go to us rather than going to the ball. We need to work as a team ... and get that one look and so on and so forth.”

Windham’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams play a double-header at home against Cheverus on Friday, Jan. 24. The girls’ game starts at 6 p.m. and boys’ game tips off at 7:30 p.m. <

Windham Youth Basketball’s 3-on-3 tournament a chance for all to enjoy sport

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Youth Basketball Association’s ninth annual 3-on-3 Sonic Coed tournament was held at the Windham Public Safety building on Sunday, July 21 and witnessed another solid turnout. The tournament is a chance for players of all ages from any town to compete in a friendly game of the sport they love.

Windham sixth grader Lucien Kri looks to pass during
Windham Youth Basketball Association's Sonic Coed
3-on-3 Tournament in Windham on Sunday, July 21.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“This all started with a good friend of mine, Dan Giguere,” said Windham resident Chris Sargent. “Having my kids play in it and ... these kids just have a love for basketball and it’s great to see; the future is so bright for Windham basketball.”

Giguere was a coach, teacher, father and very active in the community. Sadly, Giguere passed away in a car accident.

Seventh grader and Kennebunk resident Chase Lovejoy was asked to play by Steven DePaolo II who coaches his travel team. Lovejoy enjoys playing basketball and preparing for the winter season.

“I really like playing basketball during the summer, because I want to be ready for the season and this is fun,” said Windham sixth grader Sammi Wyman. “You get to know people that are on your team that you didn’t know before; and you get to play with them.”

The Windham Youth Basketball Association raised $1,500 through the event which will be split between the Windham Youth Basketball programs and the Windham High School basketball programs.

“It’s important because it’s fun,” said organizer Ben Delewski. “I enjoy refereeing it and playing in it; the coed aspect of it really strengthens Windham as a basketball town with a basketball culture.” <

Windham Youth Basketball competes in back-to-back-to-back Southern Maine Hoops Championship games

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Youth Basketball Association had three teams compete in championship games at the Maine Basketball Academy in Portland on Saturday, Feb. 3 during the Southern Maine Hoops League Championships. It is quite an achievement to reach this level and all the teams worked incredibly hard during the season and in these championship games. Windham’s sixth grade girls lost, 29-8, to Scarborough; while Windham’s fifth grade boys won, 37-18, against Mount Ararat to claim the title; and Windham’s fifth grade girls fell to Oxford Hills, 30-16.

Windham's Fifth Grade boys' team won the Southern Maine
Hoops League championship by beating Mount Ararat on
Saturday, Feb. 3 at Maine Basketball Academy in Portland.
Front (L-R) are Bentley Rubino, Liam Wood, Preston 
McLean, Max Inzerillo, Lucien Kri, Joel Delewski,
Tate Ammons, Henri Sirois, and Ethan Bonnvie. Back
(L-R) Coach Chris Inzerillo, Coach Joe McLean and Coach
Ben Delewski. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

Sixth grade girls

The girls started out with good defense and kept Scarborough’s baskets to a minimum. Scarborough grabbed turnovers which helped them pull away.

Windham was quick to get rebounds and Eliya Krainis had a breakaway layup. Elsa Pearson sunk two consecutive foul shots. At the half, Scarborough led 14-6.

In the second half, Windham got several turnovers and took shots at basket. Their hustle showed they were going to battle until the final buzzer. They kept up defense, but fouled Scarborough a bit.

The score only tells half of the story.

“We went 12-0 up until today; we’ve qualified for the Rhode Island tournament,” said assistant coach Dana Magee. “Keeping up with [Scarborough’s] aggressive defense [went well]. I think playing more [high caliber] teams [could have helped us flip the score].”

Windham will also play in the Waterville tournament toward the end of the month.

“It felt awesome [to make it this far],” said Krainis. “Our defense went well; we definitely locked them down ... we still need to work on rebounds and offense. I think we played great, and I love this team.”

Fifth grade boys

After winning the tip-off, it was Joel Delewski who scored. He later sunk a three-pointer.

Windham had solid defense, nabbed rebounds and got several turnovers. Windham gave it all for the entire game. They led 20-2 midway through.

Windham’s defense limited Mount Ararat’s shots, though Mount Ararat slowly increased their score. The Eagle’s moved the ball well and kept a strong pace.

“It feels good because we had to work hard throughout the season,” said Delewski. “We really ... built up our team very well. We started off good and defense went well ... that led us to the win. Hard work, effort and practicing [got us to this point].”

According to coach Joey McLean it took the boys showing up ready to practice week-in and week-out. The title game defense was the best they’ve played all season. Its “Help” defense limited points in the first half, boxing out, doubling down when needed, it was a thing of beauty and well executed by Windham. They’ve really improved over the season; and went undefeated in the league.

Fifth grade girls

Possession was gained by Windham early on; they fought hard for the ball, and it showed. They had multiple shots at the basket.

“Hustling and passing is what helped get [us] to this point,” said Ella Higgins. She said collaborating went well; they needed better defense to flip the score.

Higgins put Windham on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Oxford Hills got a few turnovers and pulled away.

Windham had momentum and passed well, got rebounds and added to their score. Lily Nickel sunk a foul shot; Higgins scored again.

Oxford Hills led 14-9 partway through.

Windham was not about to give up and this was a closer game than when it started. However, Windham shots weren’t falling. Kelenese Dickson sunk a foul shot.

“These teams have improved since the beginning of the year and they’re just going to get stronger,” said head coach Chris Sargent. “It was a tough loss and we’re just going to keep battling – we’re not done yet, the sky’s the limit. We came up a little short, there’s still room for improvement and ... we’ve got to stay focused. Help side defense, getting better quality shots and rebounds.” <

WYBA’s Sonic Coed 3-on-3 Tournament brings communities together

By Matt Pascarella

After a few years off, Windham Youth Basketball Association’s Sonic Coed 3-on-3 Tournament returned on Saturday, Aug. 12 in Windham and with a great turnout of 16 teams from third graders to adults 40-plus who were playing in a friendly competition that brings not just players and supporters from Windham, but also surrounding towns.

Gray senior Noah Hebert makes his way to the hoop during
the eighth Sonic Coed 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament hosted
by the Windham Youth Basketball Association on Saturday,
Aug. 12 in Windham. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“This tournament is for a good cause,” said Windham resident and Windham Youth Basketball Association (WYBA) coach Lily Cooper. “It’s a memorial tournament that we’ve been coming to and supporting for years. Just being able to see the kids play together coed, it’s not something they get to do very often. I love being able to see the boys and girls get together and play. It’s great for all the teams and the kids to support each other.”

The tournament was created to celebrate Windham High School basketball player Dan Giguere, who passed away in a car accident. Giguere was a coach, a teacher, a father of three sons and was very active in the community.

WYBA raised close to $1,500 from the tournament which will be split between the Youth Basketball programs and the Windham High School basketball programs.

Gray senior Noah Hebert loves basketball and said the tournament is a fun opportunity to play. For Hebert, spending time with friends, meeting new people and playing a competitive sport he likes is very positive.

“It was time to bring it back,” said WYBA president Ben Delewski. “We have these nice new courts [by the Public Safety building]. It was a great showing, beautiful weather and was a ton of fun.”

Delewski wants to build up the basketball culture in Windham, and events like this can help to start building those powerhouse teams. The Sonic 3-on-3 Coed Tournament helps because the younger kids look up to the older kids and the older kids become role models and with the adults participating everyone can learn from one another and just have a good time. It also teaches to include everyone, as girl’s baskets are worth double the points.

“This is a great cause; perfect day to be out here, seeing everybody. For me, just happy to be playing and keep moving. Everybody’s here having fun,” said Windham resident Johnathan Bassett.

According to Delewski, the tournament teaches kids how to play the right way and get good open shots, having fun and being part of a team. A lot of kids hadn’t played since the end of the winter season, so this is a good summer activity and gets the kids talking about basketball and preparing for the upcoming season.

“I really wanted to play basketball, because I haven’t played since the winter,” said Windham fourth grader Colby Sargent. This was Sargent’s first year playing in the tournament. “It’s really fun because you’re just getting out and playing for fun. It raises money and it’s really good for people to get out and just play.”

Windham graduate and resident Nick Curtis used to play in the tournament as a kid and said it was a lot of fun to play in it now. Curtis said it brings everyone together and supports the basketball programs in a friendly environment.

Windham resident and parent Angela Wyman said the tournament is about team building and community building. She likes that other communities are part of it. Her boys have been playing basketball since they were little and look forward to it every time. It keeps kids involved and brings families and communities together while supporting the basketball programs.

“I’m really pleased with how many people showed up and all the smiles,” said Delewski. <

Windham Youth Basketball proves to be serious competition at New England Basketball Championship

By Matt Pascarella

Five Windham Youth Basketball Association teams earned the right to compete in the 2023 New England Basketball Championships held in Providence, Rhode Island from March 17 to 19.

Windham's Fourth-grade girls basketball team finished 
second in the New England Basketball Championships
in Providence, Rhode Island, going 3-1 in the tournament.
PHOTO BY SHALYN SARGENT 

Each of Windham’s teams, eighth-grade girls, fifth-grade girls, fifth-grade boys, fourth-grade girls and fourth-grade boys earned a bid to participate in this tournament because they won a previous tournament.

The New England Basketball Championships consisted of travel, community and school teams from grades 3 through 8. Each team was guaranteed to play a minimum of four games. Awards went to teams who placed in the first and second divisions.

Windham’s Eighth-grade girls went 1-3 and beat West Hartford Magic in a buzzer beater, 24-23.

“I felt ... unreal,” said Mackenzie Delewski. “We had 2.3 seconds on the clock and we’re down by two [in their game against West Hartford Magic], I fake short and go long as Kiley screens for me and Bella throws it. I jump and grab the ball from the plodding team and take one dribble and shoot. I banked in the three and won the game; all the excitement and cheering was unreal; we just got our first win in Rhode Island!”

Lilly Gallagher said the team has been successful because they’ve grown and are determined to be good players.

Coach Ben Delewski said this season was the perfect blend of happy and sad. He was proud of them for how they competed, but sad that these were the last games as a team.

Windham’s Fifth-grade girls went 1-3 and beat Suncook Spartans, 20-17.

Raegan Magee was confident in her team going in. They are stronger this year than last year. This year has been successful because they have each other and win or lose they still practice together.

“Throughout the season the girls have improved tremendously as far as their skills and the things that they do on the court,” said Coach Lily Cooper. “The biggest thing they’ve improved on is their confidence. It doesn’t matter scores of games; it’s building girl’s confidence more than anything – and my favorite part is them seeing the results of the work they’ve put in.”

Windham’s Fifth-grade boys went 2-2, finished in the top 4 and won their final game against East Hampton, 45-40.

“This year was very different; we had a lot of injuries,” said Coach Steve Depaolo II. “It was a full team effort to continue our success. We’ve been battle-tested all year and the team atmosphere is to have fun and play hard.”

Robbie Sanicola said you can’t do anything with one person; it’s the whole team that has to be together. Everyone played a big part to get this far.

Windham’s Fourth-grade girls finished in second place and went 3-1. They made it all the way to the championship game. Their only loss was to St. Theresa, 23-11, after a hard-fought game.

“The season has been successful because of the growth of the girls,” said Coach Chris Sargent. “In a short time, I’ve seen leaps and bounds. They are all playing their roles very well, a great group of girls and a lot of friendships and memories that’ll last forever. I have a feeling these girls are going to be really something special in the future in Windham.”

Ella Higgins said offense and defense have enabled this team to get this far. She said they had more experience this year compared to last year.

Windham’s Fourth-grade boys went 2-2 over the weekend. In their first game against North Providence they took a big lead in the first half. With roughly 10 minutes left in the second half, Joel Delewski hit five consecutive three-pointers and extended the lead to 20 points. Windham won, 42-27.

“Every player on our roster contributed to our games throughout the weekend,” said coach Joe McLean. “It was a full team effort and the community support down there was amazing; as Windham always had the biggest crowd at each of the games.”

According to Joel Delewski, it felt great to know he was a part of the winning game. He said it also felt good to see and hear the Windham fan’s reactions as well as his coach’s reaction. <

WYBA crowns back-to-back champions in Southern Maine Hoops League

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham Youth Basketball Association’s (WYBA) fourth-grade boys and eighth-grade girls travel teams both made it to the Southern Maine Hoops League Championship played at The Maine Basketball Academy in Portland on Friday, Feb. 10 and didn’t go home disappointed.

Windham’s eighth-grade girls’ team came from behind to surpass Gardiner in the second half and won, 25-23, in a thriller. And once the Windham fourth-grade boys’ squad grabbed the lead from TGK Athletics Saco in their title game, they held on to win the championship, 22-13.

Windham fourth-grader Kody Freese holds onto the ball
as he turns toward the hoop in the Southern Maine Hoops
League Championship Game at The Maine Basketball
Academy in Portland on Friday, Feb. 10.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Eighth Grade

Windham began with intensity, but had a slow start and Gardiner took a big lead in the first half. Windham grabbed rebounds and fought, as they worked to gain on Gardiner. Gardiner led 13-10 midway through.

In the second half, Windham closed the gap and tied the game at 15. From then on, it was a very close game. Windham tied the game at 20. Denali Momot sunk a three-pointer to give Windham a one-point lead.

Momot said she tried not to get too excited as she knew the game wasn’t over until the buzzer. It felt great to get in the lead with so little time left.

Momot is proud of everyone on the team for not giving up; they worked hard all season, and this is well deserved. It feels great to be champions and Coach Ben played a big role in helping them get there.

With the clock winding down, Isabella Vassoler made the game-winning basket.

“I was so nervous,” said Vassoler. “I thought I was going to miss it, that was very scary for me.”

Vassoler said it was defense and team attitude that enabled them to come back and win it all. She said passing went well, fewer turnovers, less fouling. She’s excited to be champions.

WYBA eighth-grade girls’ Coach Ben Delewski said they did not have an easy path to get here, but Windham played a lot of strong teams in the playoffs and got past them all. Delewski said they were able to win because of defense, grit and rebounds.

Fourth Grade

"It was just a full team effort,” said WYBA fourth-grade boys’ coach Joe McLean. “They ran through the offense well and set good screens, good cuts – they really have gelled throughout the year. They did an amazing job on defense and held TGK to 5 points in the second half.”

Windham defense kept TGK Athletics scoreless. Windham grabbed rebounds and the game was close in the first half. Windham had great hustle. After being fouled, Kody Freese edged Windham ahead. At halftime, Windham remained ahead, 11-8.

There was no lack of intensity in the second half. TGK Athletics tightened the game, but Windham did not let up until that final buzzer. Windham continued to expand their lead. With 50 seconds left, Windham led by 6; TGK Athletics was unable to catch up.

“It feels really good,” said Joel Delewski. “It took a lot of effort and people working really hard. Our defense won us the game because our offense at times wasn’t the best. I’m really glad we got here.” <

Third- and fourth-grade teams love learning basketball skills

Windham second-grader Colby Sargent of the Delta
Properties team works on her dribbling skills as she moves closer
to the basket during Windham Youth Basketball Association's
third and fourth-grade in-house game against A-Team Realty on
Saturday, Jan. 22 at Windham Primary School.
PHOTO BY MATT  PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Youth Basketball Association’s junior league third- and fourth-grade in-house girls’ basketball teams, A Team Realty and Delta Properties, went head-to-head at Windham Primary School on Saturday, Jan. 22 and demonstrated how quickly they are learning the sport.

Both teams showed they have learned a lot about the game and have made massive improvements. Each team will continue to make improvements as they progress through the season.

After an action-packed 32 minutes, A Team Realty edged out ahead 6-4 and got the win for this game.

Both teams began the game with stellar passing as they moved the ball nicely. 

However, some of the passes resulted in turnovers for both Delta Properties and A Team Realty.

A Team Realty scored, then Delta Properties did. Both teams had a lot of energy and took multiple shots on basket. 

At the half, the game was tied at four.

Everyone on both teams put in a lot of effort during the game. A Team Realty and Delta Properties are getting better dribbling and took more shots on basket. There was a lot of teamwork from each team as well.

Windham in-house third and fourth grade girls’ Delta Properties coach Chris Sargent said the girls had great defense against A Team Realty.

“The kids played their hearts out. Going forward we need to really work hard on their spacing on the court and making the easy pass,” said Sargent.

Delta Properties player and second-grader Colby Sargent said her team passed really well and she had fun during the game.

Third-grader Emily Kaffel of A Team Realty said passing, dribbling and defense went really well during this game.

“The girls are working good together,” said third and fourth grade girls’ basketball in house A Team Realty coach Aaron Abrams. “They beat a team today that they lost to last time. We had a good turnout, plenty of subs ... they all did a great job.”

Abrams added passing and working together as a team were a couple things that went really well during this game along with good old-fashioned hustle.<

Rising Eagles basketball program prepares middle-school athletes for future

Seventh-grader Tyree James goes in for a layup 
during a Rising Eagles basketball practice on
Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Manchester School courts.
The Rising Eagles program seeks to teach
student-athletes about basketball as well as character, 
both on and off the court.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA   

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Youth Basketball Association’s Rising Eagles program has opened this fall for Windham and Raymond seventh- and eighth-grade students.

They practice behind Manchester School in Windham. The boys’ varsity basketball program felt more should be done to prepare younger players who wanted to make the transition from youth basketball to high school basketball.

The ultimate goal of this middle-school program, which is provided at no cost to parents, is to help kids learn and enjoy the game.

Windham varsity basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen, assistant varsity coach Noah Estey, junior varsity coach Geoff Grigsby, former varsity player and captain Ivan Kaffel and former president of WYBA, Pat Moody, are serving as coaches in the first year of this program. They are helping middle school kids learn what it takes to reach their full potential, on and off the court.

On a car ride back from a coaching clinic over the summer, Pulkkinen and Grigsby dreamed up the idea for the Rising Eagles program. The high school basketball program had been trying to bridge the gap from youth basketball to high school basketball and Rising Eagles was a way to do it.

Seventh-grader Tyree James said the program was a good opportunity to get better at playing the game he loves.

“We think it’s important to give back to the community, give a financial break to the parents, and give
kids that chance to have fun with their friends in a pressure-free environment,” said Windham junior varsity coach Grigsby. “We really don’t have any expectations of the kids as far as performance. It’s all about improvement and learning.”  

It teaches the fundamentals of basketball and helps the athletes understand spacing, timing, movement, and unselfishness. The program stresses the importance of good sportsmanship and character. It wants to give athletes an idea of what is expected of them on the high school court.

Eighth-grader Connor Janvrin wants to get better at basketball and Rising Eagles teaches him skills to get up and down the court.

“Our town has some incredible kids who are hungry, hard-working, respectful and talented,” said Pulkkinen. “Selfishly for us coaches it allows us to understand and gain relationships with young student athletes well before they reach the high school level.”  

In addition to practices, the coaches have been entering the athletes in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournaments. Windham has done extremely well; applying the lessons they’ve learned during practices. It’s not wins and losses that are important, but how they compete, fight through adversity and enjoy themselves on the court.

“It’s important for us to give back to our community to help be a small part in their athletic development ... as they progress through middle school into high school,” said Pulkkinen. “The
willingness of our staff to give back and volunteer their time has been incredible; it will really help start a foundation for our program and it will allow our youth an opportunity to work with former players and current coaches at Windham High.” <