Winchester Boys Varsity Basketball Stays Undefeated With 58–51 Win Over Reading

Author: Alex Machemer, WHS Class of '26

The Winchester boys varsity basketball team continued its unbeaten season with a hard-fought 58–51 victory over Reading in a game defined by momentum swings and a dominant finish.

Winchester jumped out to an early lead, setting a fast pace and controlling the tempo. As the game wore on, however, their momentum slowed in the middle quarters, allowing Reading to battle back and take a six-point advantage. Rather than rattling the Red & Black, the deficit fueled a determined response. Winchester surged back to tie the game at 40–40, flipping the momentum decisively in their favor.

From that point on, Winchester was unstoppable. The team locked in on both ends of the floor, outplaying Reading down the stretch and pulling away to secure the seven-point win.

Several players played key roles in the victory. Harrison Burbine was a constant offensive threat, knocking down consistent three-pointers that kept Winchester within striking distance and energized the comeback. Senior captain Dawson English logged heavy minutes and remained a steady presence throughout the game; even when triple-covered, he attacked the basket and finished multiple strong drives.

Defensively, junior Devon Ryan was agile and effective in shutting down Reading’s offensive looks, while senior captain Carson Sarpong dominated the paint. Sarpong controlled rebounds, stuffed opponents at the rim, and delivered a momentum-shifting open dunk late in the game—an exclamation point that symbolized Winchester’s control in the closing minutes.

The win keeps Winchester undefeated on the season as they prepare to face Methuen High School (4–3) next, with hopes of continuing their impressive run.