On “Senior Night” in Windham, Westbrook’s boys basketball team was hoping for a win that would allow them to squeeze into the state tournament.

Meanwhile, the hosts were attempting to guarantee themselves a home game in the postseason’s preliminary round.

That intensity kept Friday’s game close all night long, with plenty of big plays as both teams showed their will to win. Windham (10-8), however, was able to pull out a victory, 58-52. The loss ended the season for Westbrook (5-13).

“(We) showed a lot of heart to close it to one point in the fourth,” Blue Blazes coach Mark Karter said “We just couldn’t get over the hump.”

The beginning of the game was slow-paced, with the teams exchanging baskets. Westbrook senior Lucas Morrison made a pair of timely jump shots that kept the game close.

Morrison was quickly answered by Eagles senior Derek Hanrahan, who scored six points in the opening quarter, including a three-pointer late to give his team a two-point lead.

Eagles center Will Clemmer energized the crowd and his teammates with two blocked shots early in the second period. Blazes sophomore forward Josh Harriman picked up his squad with six points and defensive energy.

It looked as though Millington and his team would be trailing at the intermission, but Herrick dropped in a three to grab the lead, 23-21.

Unhappy with his team’s defensive play in the first half, Millington decided to switch up the scheme.

“They were playing too well against our zone,” the coach said. “We went to a press and man-to-man. We’re not that great at it, but we wanted to change the tempo.”

By starting the third quarter with their new strategy, the Eagles were quickly able to gain a nine-point advantage.

The play of Morrison allowed Westbrook to eat away at that lead. He scored 14 of his team leading 21 points in the third quarter, including a buzzer beating three-pointer to end the period.

Windham’s T.J. Tandberg was able to somewhat neutralize Morrison’s attack. The team’s leading scorer with 18, Tandberg put up 13 of those points to help his team maintain a five-point margin.

“I hit my first shot and then I got on a roll,” said the junior guard. “We also got some good energy from the bench and our press worked well.”

The final period started slowly, as both squads were unable to achieve much of a run. Throughout the quarter each team found a way to answer the other’s score.

After an Eagles’ timeout, Karter sent his team on the court down by four, but they were quickly able to cut it to one. The ball was thrown in to Morrison, who caught it in the left corner and drained a three. Karter called a timeout as the Westbrook fans behind the team’s bench cheered like crazy.

Windham brought the ball up the court and got it into Clemmer, who converted a lay-up. After a defensive stop by the hosts, Westbrook was forced to intentionally foul, but a lane violation gave the ball back to the Blazes.

Once again, Windham dug in defensively and came up with a stop. The Eagles then hit their remaining free-throws to close out the game.