Windsor expected to battle top teams for league supremacy
The varsity basketball Jaguars may field one of their strongest teams in recent memory this winter, as the team gets set to tip off the 2017/18 campaign.
Windsor will have a tough act to follow after posting an overall record of 20-8 last season, making a run at the league title before settling for third place behind Cardinal Newman and Montgomery in the NBL hierarchy.
Under veteran coach Travis Taylor, the Jags could be even better this year, returning a nucleus of five seasoned veterans, including three that are among the best players in the Redwood Empire.
“Our goals this year include winning a league championship and making a deep playoff run,” Taylor said. “Most importantly, we’re focusing on improving individually and collectively each and every day. The team is working extremely hard on the defensive end of the floor and is committed to the adage that defense wins championships.”
The group of returning veterans will revolve around third-year senior all-leaguers; forward Travis Carlozzi, center Riley Smith and forward (and twin brother) Justin Smith. The trio will do the bulk of the scoring and no doubt hold the key to Windsor’s fortunes this season. Also returning to the varsity squad are senior guards Uli Vielma and Kyle Bozzetto and junior guard Jordan Merical.
“We look to our “Big 3” for leadership, scoring and rebounding,” Taylor noted. “Bozzetto and Vielma have both worked hard to improve their games going into their senior seasons.”
Bolstering the varsity roster are senior guard Josh Brown, junior forward Jack Amormino, junior guard Andrew Corcoran, junior guard Vincent Corday, junior guard Massimo Diochea and junior forward Gavin Hansen.
Joining Taylor on the staff are veteran coaches Steve Kramer, Gabe Jenkins, Mike Farmer and Corey Hammell. The team manager is Tyler Schuster.
The final season before league realignment may feature a dogfight between three teams.
“The top of the league this year will most likely be Montgomery, Cardinal Newman and Windsor,” Taylor predicted. “The league is better top to bottom with Casa Grande, Maria Carrillo and Rancho Cotate all much improved.”
Scheduling notes
The Jaguars will kick off the 2017/18 schedule at home on Tuesday, Nov. 28 against Elsie Allen, followed by the McKinleyville Tip Off Tournament on Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Windsor will participate in the annual Brett Callan tourney at Casa Grande on Dec. 14-16 and opens the NBL season at Santa Rosa on Jan. 3.
Next week: a look at the Lady Jaguars.
