Girls basketball
The Lady Jaguars emerged from a challenging preseason campaign battle-tested and ready for the inaugural North Bay League Oak Division, winning one game in two outings to open the schedule.
Windsor kicked off the NBL season with a 55-44 win at Santa Rosa, but took one on the chin two nights later in a 43-25 home loss to Montgomery. On Saturday, the Jags slipped by Half Moon Bay in a 39-37 nail-biter.
At press time Windsor (1-1, 6-11) was preparing for a key home-stand, beginning with a Jan. 9 clash with Analy, followed by a Friday, Jan. 11 tilt with powerhouse Cardinal Newman. The Jaguars will wrap up a busy stretch on Saturday, Jan. 12 with a 4 p.m. non-league date with Piedmont.
Jags notch win
The ladies made their NBL debut at Santa Rosa on Jan. 2, racing to an 18-8 lead out of the gate before taking a 33-20 cushion into the half. Windsor battled the Panthers on even terms in the final two quarters en route to a 55-44 win.
“It was a much needed win,” Jags’ coach Joe Passalacqua reported. “We had our best shooting performance of the season.”
Freshman Meredith Gilbertson was nearly unstoppable, pouring in a career high 24 points and 12 rebounds. Other top scorers were Tori Russotti (10 points, 4 assists) and Maddie West (9 points, 3 threes).
The Jaguars played host to a strong Montgomery squad two nights later, bouncing back from a slow start to trail by just 17-16 at the break. Windsor went ice cold in a disastrous third quarter, as the Vikings went on a 17-1 run and never looked back on their way to a 43-25 victory. Freshman Grace Boyle led the Jags with nine points, including two three-pointers.
Windsor finished off the week with a Saturday, non-league clash with visiting Half Moon Bay, with the Jaguars overcoming a sub-par performance to hold on for a 39-37 win.
“It was a very sluggish game for us after the tough loss to Montgomery,” Passalacqua said. “We didn’t execute real well and it almost cost us the game.”
Russotti led all Windsor scorers with 13 points while Gilbertson added five points and 15 rebounds.
