Windsor Forest High School basketball coach Aaron Clark knew what he had lost after last season, but he also knew what he had coming back.
In his 10th year, Clark has established a program at Windsor Forest that doesn't rebuild - it reloads. So while the Knights may not have a household name like D'Ante Bass on the roster, the team is fully loaded with players who play the Windsor Forest way.
The Knights (23-6 and Region 3-AA champions) will host Columbia on Wednesday at 6 pm. The Eages (29-1 and Region 5-AA champions) are ranked #1 in Class AA according to Max Preps, while the Knights are ranked #4 in the Max Preps Class AA poll.
"I think my approach every year is we want to max out whatever we have, and we want to go as far we possibly can and work as hard as we can to get the result we want," Clark said. "Our goal is to max out. I feel like a couple games we came into and people took us light, because they didn’t think we would be the same. And we’re not the same. We play a different style than last year."
Clark and his staff clearly know how to prepare and coach a team to succeed. The Knights have been to the Class AA Final Four in three times in the past five years, including last year's appearance in the final game.
"We kind of know how to get there," Clark said. "It takes a lot of work and a lot bounces to go your way. But we never take anything for granted."
This year's Knights are led by Jah'Tavious Gaines and Qurahn Anderson, seniors who played crucial roles for last year's team as well. Anderson leads the team in scoring at 17 points per game.
But there are new faces like sophomores Sean Caballero and Landon Paige, who have each led the team in scoring during games this season, and seniors Larry Pounds and Ahmad Grovenor, who waited patiently while working hard for their time to shine. Pounds and Grovenor both boast double digit scoring averages, and either Cabellero or Paige is capable of big game any time the Knights take the floor.
"These are kids who took the ride but maybe didn't contribute a lot last year," Clark said. "This year it’s a little different, and our team is a lot closer. They didn’t have the expectations those other teams had, but now we've got a bunch a guys who work hard and put themselves in the Elite 8."
Clark's team is balanced on offense, trying to get five players in double figures in each game. The Knights have had a different player led them in scoring seven times this season, and that makes them hard to scout for opposing coaches.
Being at home has been an enormous advantage for Windsor Forest during the past three seasons. The Knights are 27-3 at home in the last three years, and Clark is grateful to have another chance to capitalize on that home court advantage.
"It’s always great to play in front of our great fan base, and it’s always great to play in the gym where you practice every day," Clark said. "This is the most important game of the season because it's the only one we can play. I don’t think we’ll be intimidated. Everyone sees the record, but we played enough big games and good teams this year to understand (Columbia) is just another team.
"We aren’t as big as they are, but if we play our game and don't worry about what else is going on, we’ll be fine," Clark added.
During the past decade, Clark has learned to relish these moments and take nothing for granted. And he sees that same attitude in his players .
"We want to relish it and give our best effort just as you should every game," Clark said. "I don't think a lot of people thought this team wouldn’t be here. But they're always excited to play. Whether it’s practice or a game, they’re excited to play."
