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Cheverus Holds of Windham's Late Rally

Basketball - WHS Boys Varsity

February 18, 2010

Adam Szklany had another big game for the Eagles. Szklany scored a team high 12 points.

Portland ME: Windham's boys varsity basketball team put on another second half charge, closing to within six points before Indiana Faithful seals Cheverus's 40-30 semifinals victory.

Andy Brix defends Indiana Faithful.

The last time these two teams met Cheverus was without Faithful who was serving a one-game suspension. Cheverus had their way in that game winning 61-43. That was on December 18, 2009 and both of these teams have undergone major changes since then. Cheverus has dealt with off the court distractions involving star Indiana Faithful's eligibility while Windham has continued to improve.

Since their last meeting Windham went on a six game win streak that included a huge win over Portland. Then they came back from a 10 point halftime deficit to defeat defending state champions Thornton Academy. Their latest triumph was knocking those same defending state champs out of the tournament in the quarterfinals last Friday.

This game was going to be anything but a replay of the first meeting.

Jackson Taylor fakes Indiana Faithful out of the play in the first quarter.

Defense was the story of the first quarter. Cheverus led 6-0 midway through the quarter. Nolan Allen put Windham on the board with a three-pointer with 1:15 to left. Faithful closed out the first quarter scoring going 2 for 2 from the line and giving Cheverus an 8-3 lead at the end of one quarter.

Kyle Randall hit a three to open the second quarter scoring for Cheverus before Adam Szklany received a pass from Jackson Taylor and hit the layup. Louie DiStasio hit a three and Randall added a layup. Szklany followed it up with a great baseline move to the hoop and finished with a reverse layup. Nick Taylor closed out the first half scoring going 2 for 2 from the line. Windham trailed 25-11 at halftime.

Nick Taylor goes up strong to the hoop. Taylor was fouled on the play.

Allen hit a basket early in the third quarter and Garrett Clemmer hit a free throw. Cheverus scored before Allen went 1 for 2 from the line and finished up the third quarter scoring with a basket. Windham trailed 29-17 after three quarters.

Cheverus struck first in the fourth but Szklany answered with two points that started an 11-4 Eagles run. Szklany scored six of Windham's points during the run, Jackson Taylor added three and Stephen "Stevo" Lambert added two points. Cheverus added a free throw before Szklany put on a display in athleticism, flying through the air for a layup that pulled Windham to within six points 36-30 with 58.6 left in regulation.

Adam Szklany and Garrett Clemmer take one of their last trips together up the court on Wednesday night.

The Eagles had little choice except foul the Stags and hope for the best. Unfortunately Faithful went 4 for 4 down the stretch to seal the Stags advancement to the Western Maine Finals against Westbrook who beat South Portland in overtime before the Windham-Cheverus game.

#23 Nolan Allen, #21 Stephen Lambert, #12 Garrett Clemmer, #10 Andy Brix

While the class of 2010 may have walked off the Cumberland County Civic Center's court feeling they had left the job unfinished they need to reflect on what they did accomplish this year. They are the first Windham team to advance to the Class A semi-finals in boys basketball. They beat every team they were supposed to beat and some they weren't. They finished 14-6 and ranked fourth in Western Maine behind perennial powerhouses, Cheverus, Westbrook and South Portland.

Nolan Allen drives to the hoop. Allen is widely considered one of the top sophomores in the state and will be expected to lead the Eagles next year.

They never backed down and the defined Eagle Pride.