Windsor eyes postseason run after historic championship
The varsity basketball Jaguars are champions of the North Bay League for the second time in three years, logging critical wins over Cardinal Newman and Ukiah to hang a pennant in the final season before league realignment.
Windsor (13-1, 21-5) used all the tools at its disposal to finish the job, playing outstanding defense in limiting the opposition’s scoring chances, while exploiting a distinct inside size advantage to vanquish both opponents.
Although the Jags were never seriously challenged in Friday’s 70-50 rout over Ukiah, the Feb. 7 clash at Cardinal Newman held huge title implications. Windsor was out to avenge an earlier season loss to Newman to avoid a three-way tie for first place, and did just that in slipping past the Cardinals 50-44.
“This was a big win for us and I was proud of the effort and poise that our team played with,” head coach Travis Taylor said. “It was a great game and a great atmosphere, the student body and Windsor community came out in full force to support the team.”
Taylor, who logged his 100th career victory at Windsor a week earlier and guided the team to its last title in 2016, reflected on the special qualities of this year’s championship squad.
“This team has great chemistry and the players get along well and really like one another,” he said. “There’s also been a commitment and desire to improve individually and as a team. We’ve gotten so much better week to week this season.”
With their first season goal in the bank, the Jaguars will turn the page to the postseason, beginning with the NBL playoff tournament this week. The #1 seeded Jags will open the league tourney on Wednesday, Feb. 14 against #4 ranked Maria Carrillo in a 7 p.m. home tip-off. The winner will advance to play in the title game on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Santa Rosa Junior College (7:30 p.m.).
Also looming large is a likely low seed in the upcoming North Coast Section Division 2 playoffs, which begin in two weeks.
“Our NCS seeding is really difficult to gauge,” Taylor noted. “It’s the toughest, most competitive field that I can remember. Typically with over 20 wins and as a league champ we would be a top four seed. However, we’re currently ranked #9 in the power rankings. A couple more wins this week would go a long way,” he added.
Jags’ strong finish
Windsor controlled its own destiny when it took the floor at Cardinal Newman on Feb. 7, needing a win to solidify its position in first place. The contest lived up to all advanced billing, as the teams battled to a 17-17 deadlock at the break.
The defensive intensity was palpable throughout the third quarter, with the Cardinals staying on the Jags’ heels most of the period. The Jaguars, behind a Herculean effort from senior brothers Riley and Justin Smith, along with senior forward Travis Carlozzi, would not be denied. Up by six with two minutes left, Riley Smith knocked down a critical three-pointer for a nine-point cushion and the Jaguars held off a late Newman rally to preserve a 50-44 win.
Riley Smith led all scorers with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while other top scorers included Justin Smith (12 points13 boards), Jordan Merical (5 points), Carlozzi (4 points, 8 rebounds), Uli Vielma (2 points, 6 assists) and Kyle Bozzetto (2 points).
The Jaguars were out to avoid a letdown two nights later on Senior Night against visiting Ukiah, taking the floor without the services of Justin Smith, who was out nursing a sore foot. Not a problem, as Windsor raced to a comfortable 37-22 halftime lead en route to a 70-50 win.
Pacing the Windsor offense were Merical (22 points, season high), Riley Smith (19 points), Carlozzi (9 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists), Vielma (8 points), Bozzetto (5 points), Josh Brown (4 points) and Jack Amormino (3 points).
“It was great that all our seniors (other than Justin) were able to score and play well on Senior Night,” Taylor said.
JV squad captures title
The Windsor boys JV squad, led by coach Gabe Jenkins, was not to be outdone this week in closing out the season with a pair of wins to win the NBL championship. The Jags posted a 12-2 league record and an overall mark of 22-4.
