Windsor takes two of three against top teams
The Jaguars made a big move in the North Bay League basketball title chase, recording two wins in three outings against the top contenders to forge a three-way tie for first place nearing the league halfway mark.
Windsor (13-5 overall) began the critical stretch with a 59-51 victory over Maria Carrillo, scored an electrifying 48-39 overtime win over Montgomery, and finished the week with a 45-42 loss to Cardinal Newman.
At the start of play this week the Jags were locked in a tie for the league lead with Cardinal Newman and Montgomery at 5-1, with Maria Carrillo and Santa Rosa next at 3-3. The Jaguars will resume NBL action on Jan. 16 (after press time) at Ukiah and visit Casa Grande this Thursday, Jan. 18. Game times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Windsor takes two
The Jaguars played host to Maria Carrillo in the first of a three-game home swing on Jan. 9, playing the Pumas to a 26-all tie at the half. Windsor turned up the defensive heat after intermission, eventually putting the visitors away in the final period to notch a 59-51 win.
Justin Smith paced the attack with 23 points and six rebounds, while brother Riley Smith added 21 points and 10 boards. Travis Carlozzi chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Montgomery Vikings were fresh off a win over Cardinal Newman when they came calling on Jan. 11 in a much-anticipated battle for league supremacy, and the game lived up to all expectations.
The teams came out with playoff intensity, with the Vikings emerging from a defensive first half with a 18-14 lead. Trailing 28-22 after three, the Jags put the clamps on Montgomery in staging a fourth-quarter rally. Fueled by outstanding play from senior forward Travis Carlozzi, the Jags closed it out on a 11-5 run that would knot the game at 33-apiece at the end of regulation. Windsor got a big boost from senior guard Uli Vielma, who scored six points in overtime, including four free throws as Windsor pulled away for a 48-39 victory.
Carlozzi finished up a brilliant all-around effort with 16 points and seven rebounds, while other top scorers were Riley Smith (12 points, 11 boards), Justin Smith (11 points, 8 rebounds), Vielma (7 points) and Jordan Merical (6 points).
The Jaguars took the court on Saturday in yet another intense battle against visiting Cardinal Newman, a game that would also be decided in the waning seconds. Giving away a distinct height advantage, the Cardinals compensated with a strong defensive effort that would keep them in the lead most of the way.
Newman took a 21-13 halftime lead and clung to a slim edge after three. The Jaguars chipped away at the deficit behind an offensive explosion from Riley Smith, finally knotting the contest at 37-all with three minutes to play. But back to back charging calls would help thwart the comeback as the Cardinals eked out an eventual 45-42 win. Riley Smith took top scoring honors with 28 points and nine rebounds.
