As soon as the Windham Bombers boys’ basketball team began play in the New Year, things quickly turned around. The Bombers’ resurgence continued by snapping a four-game losing streak in Northeastern Athletic Conference and celebrated Hall of Fame Night by surviving NAC foe Fairport Harding 71-68 in a crossover game last Friday evening at Marty Hill Court.
“We think we have actually been starting to play some better basketball,” said Coach Cody Apthorpe. “Something that we discussed this week in practice is that Fairport Harding is a quality team and would be a big quality win for us to gain some self-confidence. We look forward to the rest of the season.”
Since the Skippers joined the NAC Stars Division, they have been a formidable foe for Windham (4-4, 2-3), as each team has recorded two victories in the last four seasons. The Bombers have now gained the upper hand in the intra-conference rivalry, making just enough plays in the final minutes to hold on for its first NAC victory since Dec. 13.
Leading for most of the second half, the Bombers’ lead evaporated in the fourth quarter as Fairport was sparked by sophomore guard Yomar Castellano. The Skippers’ shooter had been lethal from beyond the arc in the third quarter, burying four 3-point shots to score 12 of his 33 points to keep the game within striking distance.
Castellano continued pacing the Skippers by knocking down another 3-pointer at the beginning of the fourth period, pushing Fairport Harbor ahead 56-55. The teams then traded baskets throughout most of the quarter.
After senior guard Carlos Bruton ignited Windham in the third quarter by tallying nine points, he lost his shooting stroke.
Despite Windham’s lead guard struggling in the fourth quarter, he still required most of the Skippers’ defensive focus, which freed up his teammates. Windham used a well-balanced offensive attack to keep pace as four different players scored in the final frame.
“Throughout the game we had some guys step up in big moments to make some shots,” said the third-year coach. “Carlos is a guy that carries a lot of the other team’s attention and for good reason. He is very skilled. I think the team effort on Friday night is what really allowed us to win.”
With the score tied at 66-66, Windham went ahead for good on a drive to the basket by senior forward Matt Kolaczek, The Bombers pushed their lead to a two-possession game when senior guard Brandon Petrich scored on a lay-up off an assist from Kolaszek.
After Castellano trimmed the lead to 70-68 on a fadeaway, the Skippers fouled senior guard Jaquon Smith who stepped to the line 2.7 seconds remaining and missed his first free throw.
The Bombers’ senior, who tallied 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists, acknowledged that missing the second free throw was not an option.
“It’s like shooting free throws at practice,” he added. “That first one actually hurt me but the second one I knew had to clutch.”
Smith buried the second one, pushing Windham’s lead, to 71-68. Fairport called its last timeout but had to inbound the ball under its own basket. They inbounded the ball to junior guard Shane Greenwood at half court, but he was well-defended by senior guard Nick Hopper.
Hopper committed a foul, but it was only Windham’s fourth foul of the quarter and did not result in a foul shot. According to Apthorpe, he wanted his team to turn up its defensive aggression in the final minutes.
“We knew if we fouled, they would have very little time and what we did not want to do was give them any kind of open look in the open court to get a better shot off,” he noted.
The Skippers’ sophomore guard had one more chance to make a clutch shot when he received the inbound pass with 0.7 seconds left but missed the shot from halfcourt and Windham finally snapped its four-game conference losing streak.
Since it was a crossover NAC contest, the victory did not count toward Windham’s league record, but Smith said it was a big victory.
“Beating Fairport was good because they beat Bristol by 10 so that was a great win for us and tells every other team that is coming that we can play for the NAC,” he said.
After a crossover NAC contest against Grand Valley on Tuesday evening, the Bombers’ homestand continues when they welcome NAC foe Maplewood to town for another crossover game on Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m.
