Windward Hoops Squads Head to Sacramento

Both the boys and girls Windward squads will try to sweep the state Division IV championships in back-to-back games Saturday morning at the Power Balance Pavilion (formerly Arco Arena) in Sacramento. 

The girls get their chance first, tipping off at 9:30 a.m. against Albany St. Mary's, the North Coast Section champion in a game which, on paper, looks too close to call. The teams are ranked eighth and ninth in the state by Cal-Hi Sports.

The Wildcats (28-4) cruised to the Southern Section Division 4AA title with a 68-46 victory over Bishop Montgomery, then avenged two previous losses to La Jolla County Day with a 68-58 triumph in the regional final. Windward has not lost a game since 6' 7" junior center Imani Stafford returned in January.

"She's like having Bill Russell," Windward Coach Steve Smith said of his multi-skilled post player. "We're such a different team with her on the floor because it means our opponents have to choose who they want to guard. Someone is going to be open."

The Panthers (30-4) will have a height disadvantage with only one player - 6' 3" junior center DeAnndra Moore - over six feet tall. They are led by a freshman guard, Gabby Green, who averages 10.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals, and junior forward Shannon Mauldin (9.5 points, 2.3 steals per game).  

Both teams come in riding long winning streaks. Windward has won 19 in a row and St. Mary's has reeled off 17 consecutive victories.

"It'll be fun and I anticipate a very exciting game," said Stafford, who averages a team-best 12.1 rebounds and 4.3 blocks. "We're going up there to win, that's for sure."

So are the boys, who will face Richmond Salesian at 11:15 a.m. They'll have their hands full with the North Coast Section champion Pride (26-11), winners of 20 consecutive games. Like the Wildcats, Salesian played a tough schedule and its record is quite deceiving given that 10 of its 11 losses were forfeits. 

"It's going to be a fun atmosphere and a great experience for our kids," Wildcats Coach Miguel Villegas said. "We'll enjoy this. What a great thrill for our school to be sending both teams up."

Senior Wesley Saunders leads the Wildcats (26-8) in every statistical category, averaging 20.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Junior Nick Stover has been a key contributor throughout the playoffs and enters Saturday's game averaging 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. 

"We're all really excited about it," Saunders said. "We're going to play as hard as we can and see what happens. You know any team you play in the state finals is gonna' be good."