Windham emerges with solid 69-65 win over New London
Feb. 8—NEW LONDON — If there is such a thing as a curse attached to a state championship, Windham High School qualifies as Exhibit A this season.
The Whippets, who competed in the smallest division in both the Eastern Connecticut Conference and state tournament last year (Division V), moved into the high rent district after their 2022 state title, evidenced by another difficult assignment Tuesday night at Conway Gym.
Yet it was after outlasting New London, 69-65, that Windham emerged with perhaps its best win of the season.
"I don't want to say we didn't play good teams last year, but this year, it's been night after night," senior Travis Mangual said. "Conard is a big school. St. Bernard, I think they're going to win a state championship. Now tonight. We've learned you've got to bring the fight every single night."
Windham coach Paul Martineau, whose team is 11-4, was in full agreement.
"You have to prepare more," Martineau said. "I like to take my wife out to dinner. Now I find myself home watching stuff to get ready for the next game."
The Whips raced to a 19-4 lead, fell behind briefly in the third period, but led all of the fourth. Mangual made six free throws in the final minute, keeping a two-possession lead the entire time.
"Coach told us this was going to be like our state championship game last year," Mangual said. "We played (Sports and Medical Sciences) a tough, fast Hartford team. We knew the game would be fast paced, but if it got too fast, we'd be in trouble."
Mangual led the Whips with 21 points. Lexi Mangual had 16 and Malcolm Hunter 15. They combined to score Windham's last 11 points.
"I thought we kept our composure," Martineau said. "Maybe in the past we hadn't done such a great job at that. We took care of the ball. All the things we have to do. Our guys think they're quick as lightning. But against a team like New London, if you go too fast, it's a long night."
Devan Williams led the Whalers (14-4) with 31 points while SaVahn Warren and Xavier Goode had 11 apiece.
The Whalers play their last three games on the road at New Britain, Norwich Free Academy and East Hartford.
