Girls’ basketball: National championship game is set for March 16

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There is no national championship game in boys’ or girls’ basketball, but the closest thing to a national championship game could happen on March 16 in the CIF state championship Open Division girls’ final set for Buisness Bank Arena in Ontario.

That’s because almost everyone is expecting Santa Ana Mater Dei (25-0) to play Los Angeles Windward (27-0) for the right to smash a team from Northern California in the state championship game a week later in Sacramento.

Of course, Mater Dei and Windward first need to win section titles. Mater Dei is seeded No. 1 in 1AA and Windward is No. 1 in 4AA.

But if everything goes as planned, the two schools would meet on March 16 and end the season-long debate about who’s best.

What a matchup it would be. Windward’s guards Jordin Canada and Courtney Jaco vs. Mater Dei’s Samuelson sisters, Karlie and Katie Lou.

The coaches and players aren’t about to discuss the potential matchup. But sportswriters and fans are free to look ahead and dream, too.

-- Eric Sondheimer