Girls’ basketball: Windward is 32-0 after defeating Mater Dei
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For those who’ve never seen what a No. 1 team in the country looks like, go watch the Los Angeles Windward girls’ basketball team.
Thirty-two consecutive victories. A guard duo destined for the college ranks. A point guard who commentators one day will be talking about on ESPN.
It’s all there and more for the unbeaten Wildcats (32-0), who shot the ball so well Saturday night it was as if they were playing in a gym instead of a challenging arena setting en route to an 81-71 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in the CIF Southern California Open Division championship game at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
Jordin Canada, the No. 1 junior point guard in the land, put on a show, scoring 17 points and getting 14 assists. USC-bound Courtney Jaco made six three-pointers, giving her 408 in her career. She finished with 26 points. Macchiati Smith had 17 points. Kristen Simon had 14 points and 17 rebounds.
Katie Lou Samuelson led Mater Dei (30-2) with 23 points.
“Jordin is a great player,” Jaco said. “She’s always looking to pass first and she found me a lot.”
Windward 59% in the first half and finished shooting 55% for the game.
Windward will play Bishop O’Dowd in the Open Division final on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Sacramento.
-- Eric Sondheimer