Tigers can't catch Windsor

Thu. January 19, 2012 at 10:47 p.m. | By Michael Coit

Windsor's Tanner Giddings scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half. (Photo by CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat)

By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

SEBASTOPOL — Fast but not furious worked as Windsor bolted to a big lead in a convincing win at Analy in the Sonoma County League basketball showdown Thursday.

Windsor was comfortable pushing at Analy’s pace yet still used its height advantage to control play inside on both ends of the floor in the 73-55 win.

“We could speed it up, but it was controlled. We wouldn’t let them force us into turnovers. We knew the competition we were against,” said Kameron Kiech, one of four Jaguars scoring in double figures.

Rolling up a dozen straight points early, Windsor took a 17-point first-quarter lead and Analy could not cut it down to single digits despite tightening on defense and getting out on the break in the second half. The opening period was Windsor’s sharpest of the season and the Jaguars had answers for the Tigers’ resilient play throughout the contest.

Both teams came in undefeated — and untested — in league play.
Windsor was sharper, playing with the poise of a team with few weaknesses and returning five starters. Analy, with one starter back from a year ago, is finding rhythm on offense, but was a step slow on defense when Windsor broke open the game.

“They’re strong and aggressive. They’re difficult to defend,” said Analy coach Brett Page. “Over the course of the season we’ve had a lot of growth. That’s the encouraging part.”

Windsor’s top two scorers reflected the balance that should make the Jaguars one of the North Coast Section’s top teams.
Sharpshooter Casey Myers was six of nine on 3-pointers and scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the first half.

Tanner Giddings, the Empire’s top big man, overcame a cut left hand — suffered on an early dunk in traffic — to score 13 of his 19 points in the second half.

Slashing guard Kiech and lanky forward Kameron Richardson are the companion inside-outside duo that can spread defenses, opening passing lanes and clear shots.

“We’re a little bit better balanced scoring-wise than other years,” said Windsor coach Steve Kramer. “But we’ve got to get better defensively.”

In the second half Analy managed to get open on the perimeter for scores led by Mohannad Halaweh, who had 12 in the game. Tigers guard Jalen Gilbert was a driving force, banging inside for 11.
With its lead cut to 13 in the final period, Windsor responded with a six-point run with Richardson and Giddings getting down the floor to score off passes inside.

Windsor withstood Analy’s pressing defense with some swift ball movement of their own.

“We’re in shape now. We’re able to sprint up the court with anybody,” Kiech said. “We’ve been waiting for this.”
With both teams set to run the league table, their meeting in Windsor could decide the SCL title.

You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.