Girls’ basketball: Windward gets revenge in 4AA final

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The second half was merely a formality for Windward, which avenged a triple overtime loss in last year’s final by defeating Gardena Serra 85-57 in the Southern Section Division 4AA championship game at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The top-seeded Wildcats (30-0) now have their sights set on the state Open Division playoffs, which will start next week. Certainly no team in Division 4 could cope with Windward’s speed and athleticism this season.

Emily Surhoff made eight of 11 field goals in the first half and ended 10-of-13 for 26 points. Courtney Jaco added 20 points and fellow guard Jordin Canada had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Windward led by 10 points after the first quarter and opened the second quarter with an 11-0 run that ended any chance of an upset.

‘We were happy to play them, but we’ll play anyone,’ said Canada, who was MVP of the state finals as a freshman in 2010. ‘We’re still focused on getting better. The Open Division will be a big challenge.’

Windward scored over 70 points in each of its four playoff wins.

Deandrea Toler scored 20 points and Sierra Thompson added 17 for the Cavaliers (25-6), who trailed by as many as 32 points and were outrebounded 43-27.

-- Steve Galluzzo