Windsor Forest senior Sean Cabellero was ecstatic after his team’s 75-61 home victory over Douglass in a second-round state playoff game Saturday night.
He saw an early crushing defeat as key to the Knights’ trip to the Class 3A Elite Eight next week. Windsor Forest will meet Dougherty in the next matchup, which upset Calhoun 64-57.
“When we lost to Calvary (66-47) the first time we played them, it hurt on the insides of all of us,” stressed Cabellero, who had 12 points. “We all know we had to turn it up a notch after that.”
PHOTO: Windsor Forest’s Sean Cabellero (#5) elevates for a contested shot against Douglass during the GHSA Class 3A playoffs. (Photo by Daniel Luu – Luubie Shots Photography)
The Knights indeed did.
They began an impressive nine-game winning streak before they suffered consecutive defeats to Jackson and Johnson. From there, they started their current 10-game winning streak, the latest in their victory over Douglass, which wasn’t as close as the final score.
Windsor Forest took control of the game when they had an impressive spurt in the final two minutes of the third quarter, scoring 11 straight points to have a commanding 54-39 lead.
It was an actual balanced attack for the Knights, with senior Ryheim Manning leading the way with 16 points, and fellow senior Troy Smith and sophomore Derion Hopper each added 14. Senior Landon Page chipped in with 11, as the Knights had five players in double figures.
PHOTO: Windsor Forest’s Ryheim Manning (#1) maneuvers past a Douglass defender during their GHSA Class 3A playoff showdown. (Photo by Daniel Luu – Luubie Shots Photography)
After getting to the state semifinals two years ago, Windsor Forest had an early first-round exit last season. Cabellero and his teammates took the lead after their state loss last season.
“The difference this year has been our maturity,” added Cabellero. “We all pulled together from that loss and learned from it. Everyone coming back dedicated themselves during the summer.”
Windsor Forest has to rely on its chemistry in the opening half against Douglass, as they found themselves trailing 32-30 at intermission. Douglass closed the half with a 7-2 run in the final three minutes to have a slim advantage.
PHOTO: Windsor Forest’s Troy Smith (#11) geta up for a jump shot during the GHSA Class 3A playoff battle against Douglass. (Photo by Daniel Luu – Luubie Shots Photography)
Cabellero credited the team’s work ethic toward reaching another round of states.
“It really has been about effort,” he said. “We play hard every night, and we haven’t reached our peak yet. With us, we’ll keep our effort.”
Head coach Aaron Clark also noted the Calvary loss as a turning point and the team’s overall dedication to his senior-laden squad.
“Calvary beat us up,” said Clark. “We put in a lot of work, and this group has been with us for a long time. We didn’t have a great season last year, and the guys worked all summer to improve on it.”
Clark also believes his team has done a good job at self-evaluation.
“Every time we play we have to look at ourselves,” emphasized Clark. “We played a good opponent, but we have to play our game. We go to the point tonight where we were playing our style of basketball, not making turnovers, and shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Cabellero also realized the possibility of the challenges ahead.
“I remember on the team as a freshman when my brother was a senior and we went to the state championship game," he said. “I now want to be able to lead this team that far.”
WINDSOR FOREST 75, DOUGLASS 61
DOUGLASS (61)
Edgell 3-0-0-7, Dunham 4-1-4-9, Jones 6-1-2-14, Amica 3-0-0-8, Brandon 1-0-0-3, Harder 5-2-2-14, Battle 2-0-0-6. TOTALS 24-4-8-61.
WINDSOR FOREST (75)
Derion Hopper 5-4-6-15, Troy Smith 4-3-4-14, Ryheim Manning 7-0-0-16, Sean Cabellero 5-2-4-12, Landon Page 3-3-4-11, Baker 1-1-2-3, Robertson 2-0-0-4. TOTALS 27-13-20-75.
Three-pointers: Douglass- Amica 2, Battle 2, Mathis 2, Brandon 1, Edgell 1; Windsor Forest – Smith 3, Manning 2, Page 2, Hopper 1.
|
WINDSOR FOREST 75, DOUGLASS 39 |
|||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| DOUGLASS | 12 | 20 | 7 | 22 | 61 |
| WINDSOR FOREST | 15 | 12 | 24 | 21 | 75 |
| RECORDS: Windsor 24-5, Douglass 19-9 | |||||
FINAL SCORES
Saturday, February 22, 2025
BOYS & GIRLS DOUBLEHEADER
CLASS 3A-1A PRIVATE
GIRLS: Calvary Day 73, Providence Christian 48
BOYS: St. Francis 67, Calvary Day 52
GHSA BOYS
CLASS A D-I
Toombs County 71, Woodville-Tompkins 67
CLASS 3A
Windsor Forest 75, Douglas 61
CLASS A D-II
Bryan County 58, Mt. Zion-Carrollton 57
Savannah Manchester 65, Manchester 49
GIAA AAA Elite Eight
St. Andrew's 70, Tiftarea 49
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy luubie_shots
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