WHS graduate Talon successful on both sides of the basketball court

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School 2020 graduate Hannah Talon has been tenacious on the basketball court since she was little.

Windham High graduate Hannah Talon
was honored as Greater Northeastern
Conference Basketball Tournament
Most Valuable Player in 2023.
PHOTO BY ALLISON TALON 

While earning her degree in exercise science at Saint Joseph’s College she’s been on both sides of the court. When she was injured before her senior year of college, she became a student-assistant coach.

A month before graduation she was asked to officially become an assistant coach of the women’s basketball program, and she has made a big difference.

She is currently attending Merrimack College online pursuing her master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She will continue to coach at Saint Joseph’s College as she works toward her master’s degree. Talon says she would like to build a career in sports psychology, supporting the mental health of athletes on and off the court.

“Hannah was a very strong player for us,” said head Saint Joseph’s College women’s basketball coach Mike McDevitt. “She was a very versatile player; she was a match up nightmare for our opponents. She used her time on the sidelines watching and learning like a coach. Not everyone can make the transition from player to coach and coach players they played with. She has been able to do that without any problem at all. I know when Hannah speaks with a player during a game, they really value her input.”

In third grade, Talon began playing basketball. In the seventh grade, she became passionate about playing the sport.

By eighth grade, she knew she wanted to play college basketball. This realization fueled countless hours of training in the gym. Although she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) twice while in high school, her determination to play at the next level never wavered.

“Playing for the women's basketball team under Coach McDevitt was an incredibly special experience that shaped me both on and off the court,” said Talon. “My time at Windham with Coach Brody Artes laid the foundation for my collegiate career, instilling in me the values of hard work, resilience, and leadership. The lessons I learned extended far beyond basketball, preparing me for the challenges of college athletics and life beyond the game.”

In 2023, the Saint Joseph’s College women’s basketball team won the Greater Northeastern Athletic Conference Championship. Talon finished that game by scoring 27 points and was named as the Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player; she says this was one of her most unforgettable moments as a player on the team.

Before her senior year of college, Talon tore her ACL again and made the tough decision to medically retire. She transitioned into a student-assistant coach role in 2024 where she was able to observe the game, and it was an eye-opening experience that gave her a new perspective.

According to Talon, she gained a deeper appreciation for the immense effort that coaches put in behind-the-scenes.

“My journey wouldn’t have been possible without my parents unwavering encouragement, pushing me forward even on the toughest days of recovery,” said Talon. “I also owe a great deal to my physical therapist, Ryan Brown, and my sports psychologist, Jan Veinot. Their expertise and guidance were instrumental in both my physical and mental comeback to basketball.”

During her time on the sidelines, Talon learned that one of the most valuable lessons is patience. She adapts her approach while maintaining a steady and supportive presence. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes time, repetition and encouragement to help athletes reach their full potential.

“I think her ability to take her experiences as a player and implement that into coaching is key,” said teammate and Saint Joseph’s College graduate student Angelica Hurley. “Hannah stepped up in the moments that we needed it most and brought important energy all around. Hannah is a great coach, and I am grateful that I got the opportunity to be coached by her in my last year.”

Talon says that success is the ability to achieve goals while learning and growing from your mistakes along the way. She said life has a way of opening doors you never expected; success looks different for everyone but setting goals, staying disciplined and being consistent are key to making the most of any opportunity. <

WHS graduate Brown continues to give back to basketball program

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School 2020 graduate Cameron Brown was a star on the court, while succeeding in the classroom. He’ll be a senior in the fall at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, majoring in media studies, with a minor in athletics coaching. He’s been volunteering his time with Windham High School’s basketball program coaching the boys’ first or freshmen team, the summer junior varsity team and the varsity team during the fall season. His goal is to get to the highest level of college coaching he can.

Windham High graduate and University of Southern Maine
senior Cameron Brown focuses on the ball during a
preseason basketball game at Southern Maine Community
College in South Portland last November.
PHOTO BY JAMES LIEBOWITZ,
USM ATHLETIC PHOTOGRAPHY    

“One of the biggest reasons I got involved with the boys’ team at Windham High School was the culture that Chad (Pulkkinen) has built since I was a player,” said Brown. “We had some close-knit teams when I was at WHS but never the culture he has brought to the team this past year. This is a very special group. They work out together, eat together, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company on and off the court. Chad ... is a huge inspiration to me and has always had my best interest in mind.”

Basketball has been something Brown remembers being around from the earliest days in his life. His father was a basketball coach, so he’s always been around the game and was drawn to it from the first moment he could pick up a ball.

“Just having one of the guys back like him, who can relate to the kids and what experiences they are going through is important,” said Windham varsity boys’ basketball coach Chad Pulkkinen. “He understands the commitment it takes and has been able to play at the next level which allows players to pick his brain. He brings a maturity and love for the game that is contagious within the group. He has really evolved his basketball IQ and has become a really good teacher of the game. He’s a basketball coach’s kid, so he understands the game from a different perspective and shows incredible composure and focus while working with our guys.”

Volunteering for Coach Pulkkinen’s staff as a behind the scenes assistant last season was a lot of fun for Brown. The entire staff was very open to everything he had to offer and that really speaks to their character, allowing a young college kid to step into a role and value his opinions. Coaches George McCrillis, Geoff Grigsby, Noah Estey and Pulkkinen are lifelong friends of Brown’s and have all played a crucial role in helping him in his playing and coaching career.

Since Brown is a 22-year-old kid who’s had the experience of playing at the next level where a lot of his players want to go, Brown has brought a different perspective to the program. He believes it’s easy for the players to relate to him, because not long ago he was in their shoes.

One of the things Brown wants to bring to the game and stress to his players as a coach and teacher is being where your feet are. A lot of players worry about things down the line in their career, being scouted, rankings or upcoming games. Brown used to have similar worries until someone told him to just be where his feet are and stay focused on what you can control.

“Coach Cam is a great coach because of the experiences he’s been through as a player at Windham and also the University of Southern Maine,” said Windham junior AJ Moody. “He’s helped me by calling me to come workout with him and pushing me to my best ability. He helped during the championship season by being at some of our practices and showing us the little things that are very useful in the long run. He has helped this program by just bringing a better connection with us. If we are playing down in my gym, we will invite Coach Cam; he’s great to be around.” <

Leadership a natural progression for Windham JV field hockey coach

Lyndsay Stretch is entering her
second season as the JV field
hockey coach at Windham High
School. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

By Matt Pascarella 

Windham junior varsity field hockey coach Lyndsay Stretch has admired her coaches over the years and followed them into the profession. She has coached field hockey at various levels for seven years and this fall she will be entering her second year as the Windham JV field hockey coach.

Her aunt was a field hockey coach and a significant influence on her deciding to become a coach, she said.

Stretch played a variety of sports in middle and high school. In college, she played field hockey at the Division 2 level.

“I love the game of field hockey,” said Stretch. “It has always been with me since my youth, and the idea of giving back to my community, the way my coaches did for me and my teammates, has always stuck with me.”

She began coaching youth soccer and youth field hockey when her children began playing. Coaching was a good opportunity for her to spend time with her kids as well as get to know her community.

Stretch coached Raymond Youth Soccer in 2016 and Windham Youth field hockey in 2017. In 2018, she coached Windham Middle School field hockey, and did so for three seasons.

Her favorite aspect of coaching are the players.

“We spend a lot of hours together throughout the season, and I am honored to be a witness to their triumphs, successes, mental fortitude, and all the stuff it takes to get to these places as an athlete,” said Stretch.

At the end of a season, Stretch would like her players to walk off the field knowing the value of teamwork and building trust amongst one another. Once that is learned, great accomplishments and successes can be achieved.

“Lyndsay has been an amazing addition to the high school staff,” said Windham varsity field hockey coach Cory DiDonato. “She really helped build the athlete's skills prior to entering high school. Lyndsay has brought knowledge, skill, and leadership. She is a sounding board for me and is an incredible individual. She is compassionate and driven and has been a great asset to the program.”

As Stretch looks toward the fall season, she says that Windham has a solid senior class of athletes who are all in; she cannot wait to see what the players will bring to the field.

A big goal of Stretch’s for the upcoming season is to recruit and build the program up after some momentum was lost over the pandemic. It’s never too late to try a new sport with the chance to grow with teammates in a program run by passionate coaches.

“What makes Coach Stretch such a good coach, is her ability to build a team that’s there for one another,” said Windham JV girls’ field hockey sophomore Ava Gerrity. “She has bonded with us all which has bettered ourselves as players on and off the field. Coach Stretch has been so supportive and patient and I’m so lucky to have her as my coach.”

When Stretch is not coaching, she is a mom to three kids. Her partner Seth helps her manage the chaos. She can be seen at the soccer field, football practice or field hockey game.

Stretch also owns Petals Farm and Garden, a garden design, installation, and maintenance business with just over half-acre flower farm, which started in 2020 to connect flower lovers to nature and grow a community of flower lovers in Windham. <

Windham graduate’s work ethic leads to coaching

Coach Andrew Wing discusses strategy with the Jordan-Small
Middle School boys' basketball team during a game at JSMS
in Raymond in January. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

Before Andrew Wing graduated in 2019, he was a star athlete on the field and the court and set a perfect example in the classroom at Windham High School. Now a junior majoring in Sports Communication, he still sets an example in the classroom and has made the Dean’s List every semester at St. Joseph’s College.

It is an academic goal of his to remain on the Dean’s List until he graduates in 2023.

Wing played soccer, basketball, and tennis at Windham High School and while he remains an incredible athlete, he chose not to play sports while in college.

“It was a tough decision not wanting to continue my [athletic] career, but I ultimately decided to fully focus on my education,” said Wing.

Although he chose to not play, he was the men’s basketball student assistant under then-head coach Rob Sanicola at St. Joseph’s. He said it was hard work, but an amazing experience.

Wing made many new friends, built great relationships with the coaching staff and was able to be around a sport he loved.

Now having just finished his first full season as the seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ basketball coach at Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond, Wing is staying connected to athletics. He was contacted by JSMS Athletic Director Jack Fitch who asked if he would like to coach the team.

“He gave our boys' team some great coaching and because of Andrew and assistant coach Jed Bloom, the boys had a fun season while learning how to play the game of basketball,” said Fitch.

According to Fitch, they found a good person, a mentor and a coach all-in-one with Andrew Wing.

He says that he had a blast coaching and had no doubt his team improved over the course of the season.

Wing also has a love of film and coupled with his strong work ethic earned him the opportunity to write reviews for Windham resident Ted Trafton’s website “Ted Takes.”

Trafton created the website in 2016 to share his love for film. The website includes preview posts and spoiler-free reviews. “Ted Takes” reviews everything from big-budget film blockbusters to indie movies and even TV shows.

After moving to Windham in 2019, Trafton gravitated toward Wing’s family restaurant, “The Beacon,” in Raymond. It soon became a favorite restaurant of his and they connected over their mutual love of film.

“Andrew is wise beyond his years, an old soul you could say,” said Trafton. “His love for film was incredibly apparent from the start, and what impressed me most was his appreciation for the finer elements of filmmaking often found in the indie film world.”

Trafton said Wing is someone who takes pride in his work, is personable, knowledgeable and a real go-getter.

A year later, Wing has written almost 60 reviews for “Ted Takes.”

“It's extremely rewarding when someone reads a review of mine, takes my suggestion and checks out the film, and enjoys it,” said Wing.

Hard work is the biggest piece of advice Wing can give to graduating high school seniors. If you are moving onto college, Wing says build good study habits, put your education first and you will do fine.

If you aren’t going to college and will be looking for a job after graduation, Wing says to remember that doing something you are truly passionate about can be arguably more important than making money.

After college, Wing plans to work for a publishing company where he can write about sports or film. Having had such a great experience so far, he hopes to continue coaching basketball at either JSMS or even Windham High School. <

Windham JV girls’ soccer coach retires after 31 years

Former Windham JV girls' soccer coach Jeff Fish, left, stands 
with Windham varsity girls' soccer coach Deb Lebel and
current WHS girls' JV soccer coach Lisa Anderson during a
ceremony on Sept. 16 presenting Fish with a plaque honoring
his 31 years of coaching service to the Windham community.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

Windham junior varsity girls’ coach Jeff Fish has coached several sports for over three decades in Windham. Everything from softball to soccer to track to basketball, Fish has literally done it all.

Most recently he has been the JV girls’ soccer coach and has been coaching soccer for over 20 years.

Fish was honored on Sept. 16 at Windham High School for his many years of dedication to Windham.

“Coach Fish is one of the best coaches I’ve had,” said senior and varsity player Tiana Salazar.

Salazar was coached by Fish for two years and said he was super supportive and pushed the team to be their best. He made sure they learned something in a fun way. Plus, they loved the no-bake cookies he made for every away game – for both teams.

“He really pushed on us teamwork; teamwork was a big part of his coaching,” said senior and varsity player Phea Tray. “He made sure each of his players got the opportunity to stand out and be noticed.”

For Fish, sports were a big part of his life. In high school, he played soccer, basketball and track.

Fish said he loves sports because when you’re playing or coaching you don’t think about anything else, you just think about what’s going on in the field.

He wanted to become a coach because when his daughters were little and playing in recreation leagues, no one wanted to coach, so Fish stepped up and coached his daughters.

Just some of the sports Fish has coached include Pee-Wee softball and Farm League up through Senior League softball, soccer with 5-year-olds up to the U-19 level, and sixth-grade track.

Fish coached JV basketball for 16 years. He’s coached JV softball, JV girls’ soccer and varsity girls’ soccer.

He loved coaching JV soccer the best. He said with JV soccer everybody got a chance to play, which doesn’t always happen at the varsity level.

Gorham, Scarborough and Windham had a nice JV rivalry going and those games were enjoyed by Coach Fish a lot.

In 2015, his JV team did not allow a single goal to be scored by their competitors in scheduled school games. From 2012-2019, he and his JV teams were undefeated in scheduled school games.

Fish credits these strong and skilled athletes to Windham Youth Soccer who prepares athletes very well to play at the high school level.

Coaching so many years for Windham had a great impact on him. “It made me rethink things,” said Fish. “Kids would get upset and I’d pull them aside and say this is just a game, enjoy it – have fun – it’s nothing to get mad at. [If] you make a mistake, no big deal.”

His goal for the athletes every season, no matter the sport, was to see improvement in his teams.

“He had great perspective,” said Windham varsity coach Deb Lebel. “I do feel like he really pushed this JV group and [Salazar and Tray] are very quiet individuals, but he made them better people and leaders. They’ve done a great job.”

Lebel referred to Fish as a coaching legend and always knew she could count on him during soccer season. Athletes talk about how much fun they had with Coach Fish. He kept it competitive while making it a lot of fun. Lebel said he demanded a lot from athletes in practices and she sees that carried over to the varsity level.

Now that Fish is no longer coaching, and is retired, he has more time to spend with his granddaughter as well as do outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

Fish said it was a joy to coach for all those years. He would like to thank Windham High School for letting him coach. He also wanted to thank the parents and athletes for all the years at Windham High School. He said he was so lucky to have such great kids.

Windham would like to thank you, Coach Fish for all the hard work you put in and know that you will not be forgotten. <

Passion is what drives college coach David Gonyea

Central Maine Community
College basketball coach David
Gonyea will be entering his
27th season this year. A Windham
High School alum, Gonyea started
as an athletic director at CMCC
in 1993 and began coaching the 
men's basketball team. Prior to
that he coached farm team baseball
and served two terms on the
Windham School Board.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Matt Pascarella

David Gonyea will be entering his 27^th basketball season this year as the men’s basketball coach at Central Maine Community College (CMCC) in Auburn and although he now resides on campus, Gonyea grew up in Windham and is a Windham High School alumnus.

He started as a farm team baseball coach and coached two teams. He served on the Windham School Board at age 23 for two terms. He started as an athletic director at CMCC in 1993 where he began coaching their basketball team. For Gonyea, it’s about the kids and the game.

He was interested in sports from a young age, but admits he wasn’t a great athlete. Sports were a fun thing to do with friends in the neighborhood. He wanted to play but didn’t want to commit to being on a team. Coaching made him feel positive and helpful. He liked the kids and enjoyed working with them during the summer recreation program.

Gonyea always had an interest in the affairs of the community and at 23 ran for the Windham School Board and served two terms. He learned a lot and gained a better understanding and appreciation of how the school department was managed. He was both student-minded and athlete-minded and helped the athletic program, ensuring they had the funding needed for new facilities.

In 1993, Gonyea became the Athletic Director and Director of Housing at CMCC. The first time he watched their basketball team, he saw they needed some help. He wanted to and knew he could coach them.

“I took time to build a culture and program. By surrounding myself with the right people and kids, we have put (a) system in place that almost guarantees a successful season,” said Gonyea.

 

Gonyea was inducted to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2015. He also has hit some major milestones like an undefeated season in 2012 and his 500^th win in 2018. He’s
led the Mustangs to nine league championships and three New England championships. The accolades and accomplishments are nice, but what drew Gonyea to basketball is the passion. He loves the passion his players exhibit and their emotions that make them go.

 

Gonyea said they have great assistant coaches; great managers, and a commitment from the college to be with them. Parents, alumnae and the community are their biggest supporters. He and his team just want to play, whenever that is.

 

Some lessons Gonyea teaches are to work hard and never cut corners, listen to the message from another person; not just words but intent, be the teammate you want to work with every day and be kind to the people you meet on the ladder to the top, you’ll be seeing the same people later in life on the way back down. He tries to follow CMCC alumnae as they progress to their next stage of life. Gonyea is full
of pride when they do well, and he tries to acknowledge their accomplishments. 

He describes himself as ‘a small town guy from Windham, Maine who has never (forgotten) where he came from.’ He loves his job, the kids he works with, the administration he works for and a community who holds him and his team in great regard. <