WINDSOR- The Windsor Yellow Jackets are heading to the “Aud” in Barre after beating the Oxbow Olympians today 54-40. The Windsor defense was like a tsunami, covering everything in its path and once it receded, the Jackets were in control 19-2 after the first quarter. They rode that wave all the way to the win as Olivia Rockwood provided the fireworks for the Windsor offense.
Brooke McKeen drilled the opening points for Windsor and when Rachel Spear answered back for Oxbow, it was 2-2 barely 2 minutes into the game. Evelyn Page’s bucket gave Windsor the lead that they would never surrender as Rockwood exploded for 10 points during Windsor’s 17-0 run over the remainder of the quarter. The Windsor press was lethal, trapping the ball and disrupting any Oxbow rhythm, leading to multiple turnovers as Angelina Bigwood’s free throw added to the lead. “We had a great start today, our defense was solid but we need to learn to not get complacent” Windsor head coach Bruce Mackay said after the game. Bailee Wheeler stopped the Windsor run with a bucket early, but after a violent collision on the defensive end, she was forced to leave the game and did not return.
Windsor extended its lead to 29-8 at the half but missed 7 free throws in the quarter. Page and Bigwood were the only Yellow Jackets to connect from the floor as the tempo slowed drastically.
Oxbow came out of the locker room with a purpose as Jill Smith and Kaysea Neil drilled long range shots, while Melanie Neil was a terror on defense. Olympian head coach opened the half with an aggressive man to man defense and shut down the Windsor offense for the first 3 minutes of the 3rdquarter. Rocwood’s back to back hoops for Windsor quieted the Oxbow momentum while Bigwood added to the Windsor 8-0 run. Page’s hoop closed out the quarter for Windsor as the lead swelled to 45-22.
Oxbow mounted a strong 4th quarter effort and got the lead down to 49-34 as Windsor was content to work the clock. Kaysea Neil lit it up for 12 4th quarter points to make the final score 54-40.
Brooke McKeen took some time to chat after the game: “We are so looking forward to heading back to Barre. Last year still stings and we want to hang a banner on the wall,” said McKeen. “We’ve found ourselves this year after losing so many seniors from last year’s team. We struggled in the early part of the season but our chemistry has taken over, and as a team, I think we’re ready”.
Oxbow was led by K. Neil with 18 points. She was followed by Emma DeGoosh and Jill Smith with 6 points each. The Olympians shot 6 for 9 from the free throw line today.
Windsor was paced by Rockwood’s 31 points, Page added 10 points, Bigwood chipped in with 8 and McKeen and Grela both had a bucket.
Adi Prior collected 8 rebounds while Ashley Grela came down with 6 boards of her own. Windsor had 19 steals as a team while Oxbow ended up with 9. Windsor shot 12 for 26 from the charity stripe today.
Windsor will play in the late game on Thursday, tip off is scheduled for 8:15. They will play #7seed Peoples Academy. Peoples defeated #2 seeded BFA-Fairfax 47-44 on Friday.
By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
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