By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, Vt. — In a hot gym, the sound of squeaking sneakers lasted for over two hours as teams from Bellows Falls, and Springfield joined Windsor for one of the last get-togethers before the fall season kicks off. “I love this stuff, I just can’t get enough of basketball,” said Windsor senior Maison Fortin.
For basketball purists, like Windsor girls coach Kabray Rockwood who of course was there for the entire night, this was perfect. The teams had mismatched shirts, ragged shorts, a couple of really laid-back volunteer referees, and more spectators than some games in the winter. Throw in 5 young fells from Windsor who were there in the front row to watch their idols and you have what Vermont summer basketball is all about.
With a running clock and no foul shooting, Wednesday’s games were more about keeping the players sharp, while adjusting to new teammates and new coaches. “If I’m the senior coach here tonight, does that make me old?” laughed Bellows Falls’ Evan Chadwich, who brought over 10 players. Bellows Falls had a great mix of seniors, juniors, and some fresh faces who all got plenty of time on the court. Chadwick had a great run last year and will look to improve on that this season. “We go at it three or so times a week just to keep the rust off, we have some very dedicated players on this team,” said Chadwick.
In the opening game of the night, two coaches squared off against each other with a bit of history following them, as Windsor’s Larry Dougher and Springfield’s Kraig Harlow will both be head coaches for the first time this year. “I coached Kraig at Stevens when I was the JV coach, I couldn’t be happier for him and wish him nothing but the best,” said Dougher. These coaches have some of the same DNA, as the game wore on, so did their vocal encouragement of their players, they both have a passion to succeed. “Larry is no rookie, he knows basketball, this is what he was born to do,” said Windsor senior Travis McAllister.
Harlow has been on the job for 10 days and still brought 15 players to the scrimmage. “I love it, to have this many players show up on a hot night in a gym shows me something special,” said Harlow. Springfield has high hopes for the program, according to senior Tanner Gintof. “This is our chance to show our coach what we have and how bad we want to succeed. We are all here to just get better and improve our skills,” said Gintof.
The games were somewhat informal but intense as there were times when the teams acted like it was playoff time and other times when the younger players were just getting used to varsity speed and tempo. “This is just fun, I love this game” said Bellows Falls’s Jamison Nystrom, who also plays legion baseball in the summer, and stepped on the court after playing a game at Castleton University earlier in the day. “We have three or four seniors plus a really good junior group, this is just what we need, these scrimmages are perfect,” said Nystrom.
Windsor played Springfield in the first game, then Bellows Falls matched up against Harlow’s team in game two, then Windsor and Bellows Falls tangled in the nightcap.
“ I am so excited for basketball, I’m still pinching myself,” said Dougher, who will take over the storied Windsor program. “We just came back from a weekend at Castleton last week where we went 5-1, there has been 13-18 players this summer during pick-up and I’m trying to acclimate our kids to what will be expected this season. The kids are getting lots of touches and our seniors are really setting the tone”.
“Basketball is my sport, I play at least 5 times a week with anyone, I hate to lose, and I think the summer programs are where you get better,” said Fortin, who only seems to know one speed and that is fast.
Wednesday was the varsity debut for Harlow. “Tonight gave me a quick peek at the team, I’ve watched a ton of film from last year and to say I’m excited would be an understatement,” said Harlow. “I thought our team played hard and I saw some really good stuff tonight”.
When you have players from Springfield who stayed behind to watch the final game, you know there could be some magic for the Cosmos this winter.
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