Windham High School girls basketball player Riley Graves recently received honorable mention as a Southwestern Maine Athletic Association all-star.

The junior was sidelined for much of the season after breaking her hand in the fifth game of the year. She still managed to score 21 points and grab 12 rebounds in that contest, and finished sixth in the league in scoring with 12.9 points per game and first in rebounding with 10.6 boards a game.

“Riley is a huge force for us inside,” said Windham coach Jessie Mayol. “She gets the job done on both ends of the court, whether it be scoring points, grabbing rebounds, diving on the ground for a loose ball, bringing a high defensive intensity or being the coach on the floor.”

“Being named to the SMAA honorable mention team after only having played in half the season’s games is a tremendous compliment to Riley,” the coach added. “There is no question that Riley is a great player, but even more impressive is the leadership she brings to both games and practices. Even when she was sidelined, Riley was a positive leader for our team. She is a kid who wears her heart on her sleeve and will do anything to help her team find success.”

After finishing 4-14 and missing the playoffs this past season, Mayol will look to Graves as the Eagles try to improve next year.

“Windham has a strong group of girls returning next year,” Mayol said. “Riley has been plagued by injury throughout her high school career and I know she is hoping for an injury-free senior season. I will be looking to Riley to be our leader on and off the floor.

“She, along with the other seniors, are itching to make the playoffs and I know they are going to do everything they can to accomplish this. I expect the same things out of Riley that she has always given me: leadership, intensity, passion and desire. Riley is the type of athlete every coach wants on their team. She’s a fun kid who her teammates look up to.”

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