Warriors Cruise Past Hamden; Advance in State Tournament [Video]

No. 6 Windsor battled back from a 12-point deficit to beat No. 27 Hamden, 78-49, and advance to the second round of the Class LL state basketball tournament Monday at Windsor High.

The boys came out flat, falling behind early in the first quarter, but a number of defensive stands enabled Windsor to put a cap on No. 27 Hamden's offensive attack and add another win to the season's tally.

Ryheime Moore provided the spark with three blocks, and the trio of Jared Wilson-Frame, Jaquan Harrison and Tyler Rowe led the Warriors with 15, 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Midway through the second quarter, Windsor trailed Hamden, 27-15, but put an immediate end the the Green Dragons' scoring and headed to the locker room up two, 29-27.

"We came out and had a slow start. We had to pick it up so we played defense. I was rebounding and did everything (Coach Ken Smith) asked me to. The whole team did, also, and we came away with the win," said Harrison following the win.

"In the locker room (at half time), Coach went to the board and wrote in big letters 'DEFENSE.' He said that was the key to today's game, to getting a big win," said Harrison.

Windsor put on a textbook display of defense in the second half, holding Hamden to just 9 points in the third quarter as they poured in 18 of their own.

Windsor (22-3) allowed just one Hamden scorer to reach double digits.

Windsor will take on No. 11 Hartford Public at home Wed., March 6 in the second round of CIAC tournament play. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.