Emily Esposito and Mackenzie Holmes combined for more than half of Gorham’s 61 points against visiting Windham on Saturday, Jan. 2, and the Rams’ combined defensive efforts held the Eagles to a low tally – just 26 in the end.

Esposito finished with 19 and Holmes with 18 in the Gorham W, which lofted the team to 7-0 in 2015-16. Windham slid to 3-4 on the result.

Gorham head coach Laughn Berthiaume expressed satisfaction with his girls’ efforts. “We played a solid game on both ends of the floor, and I thought we go out in transition pretty well. We’re still working to improve our team rebounding, but over the course of the game, we still won the rebound battle.”

The Rams charged to a huge early lead, outscoring the Eagles 18-6 in the opening quarter. They then bettered their own performance in the second, holding Windham to just a lone bucket while adding 17 more of their own for 35-8 at the half.

“Emily and Mackenize gave us great offensive balance in the first half,” said Berthiaume, “combining for 27 of our 35 points. Every player gave positive contributions on the defensive end.”

Critical to Gorham’s defense was the silencing of key Eagles like Sadie Nelson and Mya Manette. Berthiaume applauded the girls he assigned those difficult tasks, Esposito and Danasia Fennie for Nelson and Kaylea Lundin for Manette.

“Danasia and Emily did a good job containing (Nelson),” Berthiaume said, “and Kaylea played stellar defense on (Manette).”

Windham played their best basketball in the second half. The Rams outscored the Eagles in both of the latter quarters, but by much closer margins: 17-12 in the third and 9-6 in the fourth. So the 61-26 final may have hidden some positive takeaways for Windham – namely, that they showed great grit in tough circumstances, showed themselves capable of playing better and better even as they slipped further and further behind.

Julia Linevitch posted Windham’s best tally, with six. Teammate Megan Hoffses knocked down five.

The Lady Rams welcomed Thornton on Tuesday the 5th, winning 61-48. They host Portland on Friday the 8th.

The Lady Eagles fell 51-37 at Deering on Tuesday. They visit McAuley on Friday.

Windham’s Tara Flanders beats a Gorham defender inside for a try at the basket.Windham’s Meghan Hoffses grabs a low pass her way as a Gorham defender rushes in to nip her advance in the bud.