2018-19 girls basketball preview
It will be a brave new world in girls high school basketball this season, as the Lady Jaguars negotiate the rough and tumble Oak Division following North Bay League realignment.
The Jaguars graduated seven seniors from last year’s 11-15 team, including all but one starter, and will welcome back three key returnees.
Head coach Joe Passalacqua returns to lead a young and inexperienced squad, but one that figures to improve dramatically as the season develops.
Further complicating matters this year is the light turnout for the basketball program, with a total of just 21 girls trying out for all levels. As a result, the varsity roster will consist of 10 players, with 11 athletes filling out the JV team. Windsor will not field a freshman squad this season.
“I think with soccer moving to winter, the impact is really being felt,” Passalacqua said. “We’re definitely losing the crossover athletes.”
Also impacting the Jaguars is the reality of North Bay League realignment as Windsor moves to the highly competitive Oak Division, battling the likes of Cardinal Newman, Analy, Montgomery, Santa Rosa, Montgomery and Ukiah.
The Jags know what lies ahead – a league season with no easy nights on the schedule.
“We will certainly take some lumps along the way, but I’m hoping that by the time we get to league, we can compete a little bit,” Passalacqua noted. “Obviously, Cardinal Newman and Montgomery are the two top teams with lots of experience. I’m hoping we can compete with Analy, Ukiah and Santa Rosa.”
The Jaguars will feature a very young varsity roster led by returning senior guard Tori Russotti and returning junior forwards Pauline Woodard and Riley West. Each will play significant minutes and be relied upon for the bulk of the offensive production.
The list of first-year varsity players includes junior center Sophia Romero, junior guard Andrea Meza, sophomore forward Bella Ramos and freshmen guard/forward Maddie West, forward Meredith Gilbertson, guard Grace Boyle and guard Abby Baribeau.
Scheduling notes
Windsor will open the 2018-19 campaign against visiting Piner on Tuesday, Nov. 20 (after press time) in the annual Foundation Game, followed by a Monday, Nov. 26 visit to Vintage in Napa (7 p.m.). Windsor will open the NBL schedule on Jan. 2 at Santa Rosa.
