WINDHAM—Windham’s two-time reigning state champion boys’ basketball team knows it will always get the opposition’s A-game.

Even when that opponent is short-handed.

Tuesday afternoon, the Eagles welcomed a Cheverus squad which was down multiple starters, but the Stags proved to be a thorn in Windham’s side for a half.

Until the Eagles did what they always seem to do.

Rise to the occasion with the game hanging in the balance.

Six points from freshman phenom Khaelon Watkins, including a 3-pointer just before the horn, kept Cheverus even after one quarter, 14-14.

The Stags held a one-point lead late in the second period after a 3-ball from sophomore John Sprague, but Windham scored the final six points of the half to hold a 30-25 advantage at the break.

The Eagles then closed the third quarter on a 7-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from sophomore Boston Krainis, to seize control, 49-34, and pulled away in the fourth period to prevail, 64-45.

Windham placed four different players in double figures, as it improved to 5-1 with its fourth consecutive victory, dropping Cheverus to 1-5 in the process.

“Cheverus is always a powerhouse,” said Eagles’ coach Chad Pulkkinen. “We had to come into game without thinking they’re down people so we could play best we could. We kind of struggled in the first half, then the guys came together and we started playing the way we can play.”

Overcoming

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. After an impressive 66-53 home win over Westbrook, the Eagles held off host Portland last Friday, 57-50.

Cheverus, meanwhile, began the year with a late 62-60 home loss to South Portland. The Stags then fell at home to Scarborough (57-43) and at Sanford (75-71) before breaking through and downing host Falmouth (49-46). Friday, Cheverus fell at home to Kennebunk, 56-43.

Last year, the teams split, with the Eagles winning in Portland (59-55) and the Stags returning the favor in Windham, 66-51.

Tuesday, Cheverus, which had multiple starters unavailable, including injured senior James Fitzpatrick, hoped to beat the Eagles on their home floor again, but instead, Windham gradually hit its stride and wound up in the win column once more.

The Stags came out with a vengeance, getting consecutive layups from junior Donel Tangliamesu, forcing Pulkkinen to call timeout.

It didn’t help, as with 5:22 left in the opening stanza, Watkins buried a 3-pointer for a 7-0 advantage.

The Eagles got on the board 13 seconds later, as junior Colin Janvrin scored on a putback.

Janvrin then set up junior Landon Wyman for a layup, but Cheverus restored its seven-point edge behind a layup from Sprague and a putback from sophomore Gad Tangliamesu.

Windham then flipped the switch and scored 10 points in just under two minutes.

The run began with a long 3-pointer from senior standout A.J. Moody, as the ball hit the rim, but bounced home.

Krainis then scored his first points, taking a pass from Wyman and hitting a short jumper in transition.

With 1:34 on the clock, Wyman set up senior star Tyrie James for a fastbreak layup to tie the score, then with 23 seconds to go, Moody found junior Michael Redlon for a 3 and the Eagles’ first lead.

It didn’t last, however, as just before the horn, Watkins drained a long 3 to snap a 3 minute scoring drought and tie the score, 14-14.

Windham started the second quarter with a layup from Redlon, set up by Krainis, but with 5:25 to go in the half, sophomore Jayden Doe converted an old-fashioned three-point play (bank shot, foul, free throw) to give Cheverus a 17-16 lead.

Eight seconds later, Wyman fed Moody for a 3 and the Eagles were on top to stay.

Junior Luke Drottar added a layup (from Krainis), then Moody set up Krainis for a 3 and a 24-17 advantage.

The Stags weren’t finished, however, and rallied with eight quick points of their own.

A long 3 from Sprague got things started.

Watkins then drove for a layup.

Then, with 2:32 to go before halftime, Watkins set up Sprague for another 3 and Cheverus had its last lead, 25-24.

Windham then finished the half with a run of its own.

James put back his own miss with 1:50 remaining for the game’s fifth and final lead change.

Moody then set up James for a layup before Krainis’ runner produced a 30-25 halftime advantage.

Krainis had a team-high seven first half points for the Eagles, while James and Moody added six apiece, negating eight points apiece from Sprague and Watkins.

Windham began the second half as it ended the first, as Wyman set up sophomore Sean LeBel for a 3, then James made two free throws to stretch the lead to double digits, 35-25.

Doe answered with a step-back 3 to end a 5:30 drought and the 11-0 Eagles’ run.

After Janvrin sank two free throws, Watkins hit a jumper, but Janvrin found LeBel in the corner for a 3-ball.

James added a pair of free throws, but Watkins hit a leaner, then set up Gad Tangliamesu on the fastbreak for a layup to cut the deficit to eight.

Windham then closed the quarter with a flourish, as Moody banked home a shot, James got a contested shot in the lane to bank home, then Krainis took a pass from Janvrin and sank a 3-pointer with just 2 seconds showing for a 49-34 advantage.

“It was a designed screen for Tyrie,” Krainis said. “It didn’t work, but it was a quick swing to me. I felt good shooting.”

The Eagles quickly ended any lingering doubt at the start of the final stanza, as Janvrin set up James for a layup and Janvrin converted a three-point play, making a left-handed layup while being fouled, then hitting the free throw.

After junior Joe Iaccarino scored on a putback for the visitors, Janvrin got a leaner to roll home, James fed Janvrin for a layup, Moody broke away for a resounding dunk, then a layup from James made the score 62-36.

The Stags got a layup after a steal from junior Anthony Salvaggio and a 3 from Watkins before Drottar set up sophomore Carter Ammons for a layup and Windham’s final points.

After Sprague sank two free throws, Salvaggio fed senior Brady Blash for a layup and that put the finishing touches on the Eagles’ 64-45 triumph.

“We have to stay composed no matter we’re up 20 or down 20,” Moody said. “That’s just who we are. They were missing some players, but we knew we couldn’t come out flat or they’d beat us. They have a really good coaching staff and good players. We were just calm and composed and knew where to be at the right time.”

“First half, we were forcing things that weren’t there,” said Krainis. “Second half, we moved the ball, moved the defense and got open. We started running our stuff.”

“We just made it simple and trusted in what we do,” Pulkkinen added. “We started to do that in the end. We have a lot of experience. The trust is the biggest part. If we trust each other, I like our chances against anybody. They’re learning that the hard way early in the season.”

James finished with a game-high 16 points, to go with four rebounds and three steals.

Janvrin added 11 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots.

Krainis produced 10 points off the bench, to go with a couple assists.

“I watch the starters and how I can get open and make shots when I come in,” Krainis said. “It feels great. It’s the most I’ve played all season. Coach always preaches be ready, do your job and that’s how you’re going to play.”

“Offense doesn’t play favorites,” Moody said. “Our bench and our starters push each other. We have a rotation of 11 kids. We know if the starters get in foul trouble, the bench is ready to go. Boston was ready to go today. I’m really proud of him.”

“There’s a lot of guys on our bench who are ready to contribute and Boston’s always ready,” added Pulkkinen. “He’s a heady player who can really shoot it. He makes the right plays and is in the right position. He works hard and comes in confident.”

Moody also wound up in double digits with 10 points and had nine rebounds and three assists while doing his best to hold Watkins in check.

“(Khaelon’s) one of the most talented kids in the state,” said Moody. “I took him seriously and tried to limit his points.”

“A.J. is just the ultimate teammate,” Pulkkinen said. “Khaleon is a special player. We knew he would be the centerpiece. A.J. liked challenging himself against a rising freshman and that says everything about him as a competitor.”

LeBel, who was limited by foul trouble, tallied six points, Redlon had five and Ammons, Drottar and Wyman (four assists, three rebounds) all wound up with two.

Windham out-rebounded Cheverus, 41-34, hit 7-of-11 free throws and overcame 21 turnovers.

The Stags got 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two assists and two steals from Watkins.

Sprague added 10 points and five rebounds, Doe had six points, Donel Tangliamesu (nine rebounds) and Gad Tangliamesu (three steals) both tallied four and Blash, Iaccarino and Salvaggio had two apiece.

Cheverus made just 3-of-11 foul shots and turned the ball over 23 times.

“I’m proud of the guys,” said Stags coach Richie Ashley. “I told the guys we’d come up and play hard and physical and try to get back to playing our style of basketball and I think we did that for the most part. Windham’s a great team. They have great players and they knocked down shots, but I’m happy with our energy. These guys don’t have a lot of varsity minutes. Most of them have never played for Cheverus. I’m very happy with their effort.”

High hopes

Cheverus looks to get in the win column next Tuesday at Noble. The Stags begin the 2026 portion of their schedule Jan. 3 at home versus Westbrook.

“We’ll try to get better over Christmas and we have to get in the win column against Noble,” Ashley said.

Windham stays home to take on Massabesic next Tuesday. The Eagles then host South Portland in a state game rematch Jan. 2.

“I love this group,” said Moody. “We know what to do, when to do it and how to do it. We’re just focused on the next day. We want to get one percent better every day. It’s a new season, a new us. We’re not entitled to anything.”

“We have championship experience and we don’t come into games thinking we’ll run over teams,” Krainis said. “(A.J., Colin and Tyrie) have won back-to-back championships and they don’t use that as an excuse to stop working. They always stay hungry. We’ll work hard every day in practice and that translates to the game. We’ll keep doing that.”

“We’re taking it day-by-day,” Pulkkinen added. “Every game will be tough. We don’t look ahead. We just look at who we have in front of us and hopefully the guys come ready to play.

“I love this group. They’re high-character kids who work extremely hard. I don’t have to motivate these guys. They’re well motivated and they’re led by two seniors and Colin is emerging as a leader. It’s a great group. We still have a lot to get better at, but I love the way we’re playing right now.”

BOX SCORE

Windham 64 Cheverus 45

C- 14 11 9 11- 45
W- 14 16 19 15- 64

C- Watkins 6-0-15, Sprague 3-2-10, Doe 2-1-6, D. Tangilamesu 2-0-4, G. Tangilamesu 2-0-4, Blash 1-0-2, Iaccarino 1-0-2, Salvaggio 1-0-2

W- James 6-4-16, Janvrin 4-3-11, Krainis 4-0-10, Moody 4-0-10, LeBel 2-0-6, Redlon 2-0-5, Ammons 1-0-2, Drottar 1-0-2, Wyman 1-0-2

3-pointers
C (6) Watkins 3, Sprague 2, Doe
W (7) Krainis, LeBel, Moody 2, Redlon

Turnovers:
C- 23
W- 21

Free throws
C: 3-11
W: 7-11

Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com