Do you have info,  pictures or video of this event?

Red Claws Entertain Windham Crowd

Basketball - Maine Red Claws

January 29, 2010

Tip off to start the game between the Maine Red Claws and the Erie Bay Hawks. David Field photo.

Portland ME: The Maine Red Claws defeated the Erie Bay Hawks 82-78 after trailing 76-73 with 2:43 left in regulation. The Red Claws scored nine straight points to mount the comeback, led by Trey Gilder who scored seven points during that stretch.

The game was exciting. Both team rosters were filled with NBA caliber players working hard every night trying to earn a spot in the NBA. The speed and size of the players make the court seem tiny. The game was fast and exciting to everyone in the stands.

A Red Claws Player puts up a shot over the reach of the Bay Hawks player. David Field photo.

As exciting as the game was, it was only part of the entertainment. The Red Claws do the typical competitions during breaks in action. There were shooting competitions between two two fans, a shooting competition where a fan could have won a brand new Camaro. A Slam dunk competition between very young fans around 6-7 year olds.

Crusher crosses the court before the game on Friday night. David Field photo.

They have a mascot appropriately named "Crusher" to entertain the young fans and harass the older ones who unwisely wear Yankees hats in the heart of Red Sox Nation.

Maine Red Claws Dancers perform during a break in the action on Friday night. David Field photo.

Then they have the Lady Red Claws Dance Team who entertain everyone in the building.

Windham seventh grader Colby Wallace was one of many young Windham boys and girls collecting Maine Red Claws dancers autographs.

Then there was the reason most of the Windham residents were there. The Red Claws billed the game as Windham night. They honored the Windham High School Class A football champs during the first time out of the game.

Windham High School Football team introduced during the first time-out of the game.

They honored Logan Jordan for the time he volunteers with the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Windham High School student Logan Jordan was honored for his volunteer work.

They gave the basketball program a place to sell the "Open Season on ALS" t-shirts that are being sold to benefit All-State quarterback Jackson Taylor's family. Taylor's father Keith is battling ALS and the Windham community has rallied around it's star quarterback's family.

Windham High School Cheerleaders worked the crowd selling 50/50 raffle tickets. Proceeds were also being given to the Taylor family.

Windham Youth Basketball's sixth grade travel teams took the court at halftime to do warm up drills in front of a sold out crowd of well over three thousand people. Playing in a packed middle school gym may never be the same for these players.

Windham's sixth grade girls travel basketball team taking the court during halftime. David Field photo.

The Red Claws organization has done a fantastic job creating an exciting experience for fans of all ages. With the exception of having stand out on the sidewalk in the blistering cold for about ten minutes, the entire experience was very enjoyable. They have done more than brought a high level of basketball to Maine, they are providing affordable family oriented entertainment.