https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/windham-boys-pull-away-westbrook
CUMBERLAND—The football players on Westbrook’s boys’ basketball team hadn’t lost a game in three months.
On the gridiron, or on the hardwood.
That run ended Tuesday evening, when the Blue Blazes ran into a team that almost never loses, the two-time reigning state champion Windham Eagles.
The Blue Blazes, who have been resurgent on the court this winter, gave the Eagles all they could handle in a dizzying display of up-and-down first quarter action, as senior Gio Staples’ 13 points forged a 21-21 tie.
But Windham would start to seize control in the second period, going in front to stay on a layup from sophomore Sean LeBel, and closing the first half on a 9-0 run, capped by a driving layup from senior standout Tyrie James, to take a 36-28 lead to the break.
When junior Landon Wyman buried a long 3-pointer with 2:32 left in the third quarter, the Eagles had a 13-point advantage, but Westbrook wasn’t about to roll over.
After pulling within nine, 49-40, heading to the fourth period, the Blue Blazes crept within six, 52-46, on a Staples layup, but no one closes tight, high-intensity games quite like Windham and it made plays at both ends of the floor and gradually pulled away to prevail, 66-53.
James finished with a game-high 18 points and was joined in double figures by do-everything junior captain Colin Janvrin (16) and LeBel (12) as the Eagles improved to 3-1 on the young season, dropping Westbrook to 2-1 in the process.
“Every single game is just exciting,” said James. “We have limited time left to play together and we’re making the most of it. Regardless of the outcome of the game, it’s just amazing to be here.”
Collision course
Westbrook, which missed the playoffs a year ago with a 3-15 record, is a very different team so far this season under new coach Jim Seavey, roaring out of the gates with wins over visiting Falmouth (59-42) and host Deering (68-30).
Windham held off South Portland in an epic state game a year ago, 55-52, to go back-to-back as big school champion.
The Eagles have new faces in new places this winter, but have the same high expectations.
Windham eked out a 73-71 win at Thornton Academy in its first game, then lost its home opener to Sanford (68-60) before bouncing back for a 78-42 victory at Marshwood last Friday.
“I think it was good to lose that Sanford game,” Janvrin said. “It was an ego check so we won’t come into to games thinking we’re better than everyone else.”
“That Sanford game taught us a lot,” said Eagles’ coach Chad Pulkkinen. “The guys did a great job with that.”
The Blue Blazes and Eagles did not meet a year ago.
Tuesday, Westbrook came out sizzling and had a terrific first quarter, but over the final three, Windham had just a little too much and finally made the Blue Blazes taste defeat.
Westbrook jumped to a quick lead, as senior John Cubahiro drove for a layup 15 seconds in and after a steal by senior Owen Taylor, Cubahiro set up senior Dimitri Lubin for a layup and a 4-0 advantage.
Things quickly turned for Lubin, however, as he fouled James on a 3-point shot and James made all three free throws to get the Eagles on the board 79 seconds in, then at the other end, Lubin was called for a charge and had to sit with the two quick fouls.
James stepped back and sank a 3 for Windham’s first field goal and its first lead, but an old-fashioned three-point play from Staples (runner, foul, free throw) put the Blue Blazes back in front.
After Janvrin scored his first points, off a feed from LeBel, Cubahiro got a bank shot to roll in, then Staples made two foul shots.
James answered with a pull-up jumper, but Staples added two more free throws to make it 13-10.
The Eagles then retook the lead on a floater from Janvrin and two free throws from senior A.J. Moody, but Staples countered with a 3 from the corner.
After Windham junior Landon Wyman drove for a layup, Staples buried a deep 3 from up top for what proved to be Westbrook’s final lead of the night.
At the other end, Windham drew even, as James delivered a pretty behind the head pass to sophomore Boston Krainis, who sank a 3.
Janvrin then set up James for a layup and the lead, but with 16 seconds on the clock, two foul shots from sophomore Faiz Omar made the score 21-21 and that’s how a wild first quarter came to an end.
The first eight minutes featured six lead changes and three ties, as Staples had 13 points for the visitors and James led the way for the Eagles with 10 points.
The frenetic pace would slow somewhat in the second quarter, as Windham got a little breathing room.
Moody started the frame with a putback, but a reverse layup from Cubahiro tied the score for the final time.
After LeBel drove and finished a nice reverse layup, Lubin took a pass from Cubahiro and got a leaner to drop while being fouled before adding the and-one free throw to complete the three-point play.
A contested leaner from Janvrin put the Eagles ahead, but with 4:27 left in the half, Lubin set up junior Camillo Jones for a layup and what proved to be the Blue Blazes’ final lead, 28-27.
A mere 35 seconds later, James threw a long pass ahead to LeBel for a layup, the game’s 10th and final lead change and Windham wouldn’t look back.
After James made a free throw, Moody did the same, then Janvrin came up with a key blocked shot.
Then, after LeBel took a pass from Moody and sank a 3, James drove for a layup in the final minute and the Eagles took a 36-28 advantage to halftime.
James had 13 points in the first two quarters, while Staples was held scoreless in the second period, leaving him with 13 points as well.
Windham threatened to break it open in the third period, but Westbrook kept within hailing distance.
Lubin started the second half with a short jumper, but Janvrin banked home a shot with his left hand.
After Taylor scored on a putback for the Blue Blazes, LeBel set up Janvrin for a long 3-pointer to make it 41-32.
Lubin fed Taylor for a layup, but another Eagles’ 3-ball, this one from LeBel, off a pass from James, stretched the lead to double digits.
Taylor set up Lubin for a layup, but Wyman countered with a spinning shot off the glass, then Wyman drained a long 3 with 2:32 on the clock, pushing the advantage to 49-36.
Westbrook refused to buckle, however, getting two free throws from Staples (his first points since the first quarter) and two more from sophomore Andre Hicks III to cut the deficit to nine with eight minutes to play.
Early in the fourth quarter, Cubahiro set up junior Jelson Binda for a layup, but Janvrin made a free throw, then Moody drove for a layup to make it a 10-point lead again.
The Blue Blazes made it a two-possession game behind a layup from Binda (set up by Staples) and a coast-to-coast Staples layup with 4:52 to play, but seven seconds later, LeBel stemmed the tide with two free throws.
Then, with 3:37 left, Janvrin’s putback made it a double-digit contest again.
Jones made a short jumper with 3:23 on the clock, but 14 seconds later, off a pass from Janvrin, Krainis drained a dagger of a 3.
After more than a minute ran off the clock, Janvrin hit a pair of free throws for a 61-48 advantage.
Westbrook attempted one final rally behind a free throw from Jones and a Staples-to-Cubahiro layup, but with 40 seconds to play, James hit two foul shots.
Cubahiro drove for a layup and the Blue Blazes’ final points, but after running the clock down, James threw up a 3 at the horn, which found the net, and Windham was able to celebrate its 66-53 victory.
“We slowed the pace down and did what we need to do,” James said. “We didn’t score 80 points like we were on pace to.”
“We knew they scored way too much and we had to lock in,” said Janvrin. “The whole team stepped up on defense.”
“Game four, our guys responded well,” Pulkkinen added. “Westbrook’s a great team. They’re going to win a lot of games. They’ll play hard coming off a great football season.
“I’m proud of our fight. We have some guys who have some experience and some guys who don’t. The guys are all composed and make the best decisions they can. They’ve all learned from A.J., Tyrie and Colin. We don’t get rattled.”
James led the way with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and a couple of steals.
Janvrin, last year’s sixth man, was tremendous in all aspects, scoring 17 points, blocking five shots and adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“It’s great to take a step up and really be a part of the team,” said Janvrin. “I was the sixth man last year and now, I’m a captain. It’s awesome. I work on doing a little of everything.”
“Honestly, (Colin) could have played on that championship team as a freshman,” said Pulkkinen. “He was in our rotation before the (state game). To have the season he’s having now, he’s put a lot of time in. He’s gotten bigger, stronger, smarter. He can really shoot. He’s a threat inside and outside and helps on the defensive end too. He’s a really coachable kid and he wants to be great.”
LeBel also wound up in double figures with 12 points, to go with three steals and two assists.
Moody finished with seven points (to go with five rebounds and three steals), Wyman had seven points and Krainis added six points off the bench.
The Eagles made eight 3-pointers to Westbrook’s two, only turned the ball over a dozen times and hit 14-of-19 foul shots.
Reality check
The Blue Blazes were led by Staples, who had 17 points, as well as three assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Staples had just four points after the first quarter, however.
“It was a team effort (against Staples),” said James. “Help-side was there. We switched up our defense a little and it worked out at the end.”
Cubahiro also wound up in double digits with 10 points. He also had six rebounds.
Lubin, who was limited by foul troubles, added nine points, three assists and three rebounds, while Jones had five points, Binda and Taylor four apiece and Hicks and Omar (five rebounds, three steals) two each.
Westbrook had a 22-21 edge on the glass and made 13-of-16 free throws, but turned the ball over 20 times.
“(Windham’s) very good,” Seavey said. “There’s a reason they’re two-time defending state champs. They shoot the 3 very well. You live by it and die by it and tonight, they lived by it. Most nights, when you go 13-of-16 from the foul line, you’ll win, but we just didn’t get there enough.
“It was a great atmosphere. Fun for the kids. We went toe-to-toe with them for three quarters. They’re experienced and we still have to get over the hump. We’ve proved we’re going to be pretty good. Better than pretty good. We’re going to be very good.”
Showdown after showdown
Westbrook looks to bounce back Friday when it takes on visiting Gorham. The Blue Blazes go to powerhouse South Portland next Tuesday for another test.
“We’ll absolutely bounce back,” Seavey said. “These kids are resilient. We’ll come back and practice and get ready for Friday night. Our kids compete from the opening tip to the final buzzer. I want people to walk in the gym and not know if we’re up 10 or down 10.
“Every night is a battle. You can’t let your guard down. We’re still a little bit behind due to the success of the football team. We’ll be a little different coming out of the break. We’re getting our basketball legs. The football players are getting their conditioning. It’s different in basketball.”
Windham goes to Portland for an early-season battle/playoff rematch Friday, then returns home next Tuesday to take on Cheverus.
The road will get no easier for the defending champions, who are wearing an industrial sized bulls-eye.
“We have focus on the next day,” James said. “We want to improve one percent every day. I feel like we can do it again.”
“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Pulkkinen. “We hope to get a little better every day to prepare ourselves for what’s to come. Friday will be a great game. They have a lot of guys back. We’re excited to go and play in the Expo.”
BOX SCORE
Windham 66 Westbrook 53
W- 21 7 12 13- 53
Wi- 21 15 13 17- 66
W- Staples 4-7-17, Cubahiro 5-0-10, Lubin 4-1-9, Jones 2-1-5, Binda 2-0-4, Taylor 2-0-4, Hicks 0-2-2, Omar 0-2-2
Wi- James 5-6-18, Janvrin 6-3-16, LeBel 4-2-12, Moody 2-3-7, Wyman 3-0-7, Krainis 2-0-6
3-pointers:
W (2) Staples 2
Wi (8) James, Krainis, LeBel 2, Janvrin, Wyman
Turnovers:
W- 20
Wi- 12
Free throws
W: 13-16
Wi: 14-19
Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com
