Girls’ basketball: L.A. Windward pulls out 38-37 victory over Long Beach Poly [Video]

Long Beach Poly and L.A. Windward, two of the top girls’ basketball teams in the state, engaged in a memorable duel on Saturday night at Poly. After a 12-12 halftime tie, the two teams loosened up and fought to the bitter end.

With 7.8 seconds left and Poly down by three, Jada Matthews was fouled on a three-point attempt. She made three consecutive free throws to tie the game. Twice Windward called timeouts trying to ruin her concentration. Then Jordin Canada got the inbound pass and tried a Tyus Edney-like dash to the basket, dribbling all the way until she was fouled with 3.4 seconds left.

Canada missed the first free throw. Poly called timeout. She made the second free throw and Poly failed on a desperation shot attempt, giving Windward (18-2) an 38-37 victory over the Jackrabbits (15-2).

What a week it was for Windward. On Monday, the Wildcats defeated Albany St. Mary’s, which owned the only win this season over Santa Ana Mater Dei. Then to beat Poly on Saturday was another impressive victory.

Canada, Windward’s All-America point guard headed to UCLA, went scoreless in the first half, made turnovers and really struggled. But she came alive in the third quarter, scoring nine points and finished with 10 on the night. Kristen Simon, bound for USC, had 17 rebounds and 13 points. She made two key baskets in the fourth quarter during a 7-0 Windward run. Emily Surloff added a critical three-pointer in the fourth quarter.

UCLA-bound Lajahna Drummer had 11 points for Poly, including nine in the third quarter when the Jackrabbits seemed on the verge of pulling away with Simon on the bench in foul trouble.

But Coach Vanessa Nygaard kept her team calm and focused, and other players came through while Canada was trying to regain her shooting touch.

Both schools are expected to meet again at some point in the Open Division playoffs either in the Southern Section or state.

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