Windsor Express thumped By St. John’s Edge
‘That’s not how we’re going to play,’ coach vows after 113-86 drubbing by St. John’s
The Windsor Express look very much like a team struggling to find its identity.
Head coach Bill Jones has built his reputation on a defence-first concept, but his club has given up 239 points in two games following Wednesday’s 113-86 loss to the St. John’s Edge before an announced crowd of 1,090 at the WFCU Centre.
“You come out here tonight and get embarrassed,” said Jones, who is in his seventh season. “That’s not who we are and that’s not the way I’m going to coach a group of guys.
“This was like practice. They’re just going out shooting the ball. This is probably one of the worst losses I’ve had since been here.” It’s been an inconsistent showing on offence where the club looks explosive in some quarters only to nearly evaporate in the next one. “We’re not playing at a high enough level, offensively and defensively, and it shows,” Express forward Juan Pattillo said. “Me, myself included, we have to find more intensity and passion for the game from the jump. Until we get that we’re going to struggle.” It adds up to an 0-2 start for the Express, with both losses coming at home, and neither good for the standings or in attracting fans to the game.
“We had two good crowds, and that’s what we stress is crowd and then we blow a (20-point) lead first one and then come back and don’t look like we show up to play,” said Jones, whose team hits the road to play the KW Titans on Thursday. “That’s not how we’re going to play.”
A 9-0 run in the first quarter had the Express up five points, but Windsor could not open the gap and only a DeAndre Thomas layup at the buzzer allowed the home team to take a two-point lead after 12 minutes.
From there, the Edge opened things up and used 10 three-point shots to open an 11-point lead at the half as the Express was held to just 18 points in the quarter. “We’re definitely trying to find ourselves right now,” Pattillo said. “It’s tough.”
St. John’s had nearly as many made three-point shots (20-of37) as the Express attempted (sixof-25) and shot over 54 per cent from the floor.
“We show flashes on offence, but it’s not good enough, as it showed tonight,” said Pattillo, who had 12 points.
“Flashes aren’t good enough. We have to play 48 minutes of basketball.
“Defensively we’re giving up way too many points, way too many open shots, open looks, we don’t trust each other defensively. So we’re just making it tough all around.”
Reggie Hamilton led the Windsor offence with 16 points off the bench. Brian Addison had 12 points, Richard Amardi and Ryan Anderson finished with 11 points each and Horace Wormely added 10.
“It could be you think you have the team,” said Jones, who would not rule out changes to the roster. “These guys are professional. They’re on the clock to be paid for what they do.
“I told people this was one of better bunches, but you have to put it out on the floor. That’s not how we’re going to play.”
We’re giving up way too many points, way too many open shots, open looks, we don’t trust each other defensively. So we’re just making it tough.