HEALDSBURG — The Clear Lake Cardinals took a big step up in competition Wednesday evening against the Windsor Jaguars in a first-round boys game at the Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament in Healdsburg.
Windsor, a Division 2 team to Clear Lake’s Division 5, pounded that point home with a 39-9 first quarter en route to a 72-33 victory that drops the Cardinals into Friday’s consolation bracket against West County at 3 p.m. West County, formerly Analy High School, now combines both Analy and El Molino high schools after the latter school closed following the 2020-21 school year.
“They came out in a full-court press,” Clear Lake head coach Mike Damiata said of the Jaguars. “We weren’t ready for their speed or athleticism. They scored at will. They kicked our butts.”
Though mightily impressed by Windsor’s squad, which is just now getting many of its players back from a successful football season that included a berth in the state playoffs, Damiata said the Cardinals (3-2) did a good job keeping their composure through the first-quarter onslaught.
“We came down here to play bigger schools … we’re the smallest school here … to make us better when league starts,” Damiata said. “The kids were a little frustrated, but they kept their heads up pretty well.”
Despite multiple turnovers forced by Windsor’s press in the first quarter, Clear Lake played a competitive second quarter with the Jaguars and trailed 53-20 at halftime.
“We did not give up,” Damiata said. “We settled down and broke the press a few times.”
Zane Robinson’s eight points led the Cardinals. Drake Smart and Ethan Maize added six apiece.
In other boys tournament action Wednesday:
Upper Lake 51, Potter Valley 49
At Potter Valley, Upper Lake head coach Miles Hayes had absolutely no complaints with the play of his defense in a first-round win over the Potter Valley Bearcats in first-round action at the Potter Valley Tournament, but the offense was another story.
“We’re not playing as a team, too much one-on-one basketball,” Hayes said as the Cougars held off the Bearcats down the stretch although the score wasn’t quite as close as it appears. “They hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.”
Upper Lake (2-4) opened up a 33-20 halftime lead but the offense struggled in the second half, allowing Potter Valley to make a run at the Cougars over the final two quarters.
“Too many ups and downs, too many peaks and valleys,” Hayes said of the team’s inconsistent play on offense.
Sammy Avalos led the Cougars with 19 points, including four 3-pointers, Kai Young added 15 points and Darian Loans Arrow had eight points.
“Blaine Rhodes played great defense,” Hayes added. “And (Kyle) Grandi was tough on the boards and on defense.”
Upper Lake plays Round Valley on Friday at 5 p.m. in the semifinals. The winner advances to Saturday’s championship game.
