Windham boys basketball over comes slow start to beat Timberlane

WINDHAM - Down 10 points after a listless first quarter, the young Windham High School boys basketball team hadn’t yet found its rhythm in the first game of a new season.

That changed in the second quarter Tuesday night, as the Jaguars rattled off 32 points before halftime to go into the break up 10 and cruise past Timberlane 78-62.

Windham shot 7 of 12 from behind the 3-point line in the second quarter and shot 16 for 41 from beyond the arc in the game.

“I know we can (score) because we can move the ball and have shooters,” Windham coach EJ Perry said. “It’s just defending. We’ve got to make sure that we do that.”

No one scored more than senior Joey DaSilva. DaSilva had 29 points, including 13 in the second quarter to lead the Jaguars. He also had two assists and a pair of steals.

“Joey’s always awesome,” Perry said. “I tell him that I’m the only coach in the country outside of the (Golden State Warriors) that will let you shoot like that, shoot from anywhere. He committed to Endicott. They’re getting a gem. I think he’s the best in the state.”

Windham got a 19-point performance off the bench from sophomore Jack St. Hilaire and nine points from senior Westin Lippold. All nine Jaguars that played scored.

“(Tuesday) we played 10 guys and five sophomores,” Perry said. “It’s hard to run all our stuff because those guys are just getting used to it. Once they get used to it then they’ll be more confident.”

Timberlane led 18-8 after the first quarter and refused to roll over. Windham led the entirety of the second half but the Owls kept finding ways to battle back, due in large part to their 35-24 rebounding advantage.

Windham led 59-57 with four minutes remaining and finished the game on a 19-5 run to win in style. The Owls were led by 19 points from Luke Suprenant and got an eight-point, seven-rebound game from Bob Olson.

While the Owls were able to get the better of Windham in the halfcourt, turnovers and transition basketball gave the Jaguars the edge. Timberlane committed 26 turnovers compared to just four by the Jaguars.

“I liked that part of it: our uptempo, our zone press,” Perry said. “I’m just saying, in the halfcourt, with the sophomores, they’ve got to learn how to defend and get to certain places at certain times.”

As a senior, DaSilva said that it’s his job to be a good leader on the floor, and regardless of his role he’s just thankful to be able to play a senior season.

“I love it,” DaSilva said. “I’m grateful that we’re playing. Online school is difficult. All that stress is released when I step on the basketball court.”