Hoop Masters Blog

Hoop Masters Jordan Wilson helps get Windward to the Regionals Championship Game March 15, 2010

Troy Leaf, Wesely Saunders and Jordan Wilson, playing their hearts out

Windward boys basketball rallied from being down 22-8 in the first quarter, to win 78-73 in OT against Foothills Christian. I was a little hesitant on driving 2 ½ hours to San Diego to see this one, especially when Westchester was playing up the street from my house, but thanks to my wife Gail, I went. I am glad I did. The game had as many twist and turns as a Michael Crichton Novel. A Hollywood ending that belies the famous neighboring city that Windward borders.

As in any good movie you need a back-story to bring out the fullness of the characters. Foothill Christian was led by senior Troy Leaf, averaging 28.1per game (attending UCSB in the fall) and Windward was led by Junior, Wesley Saunders, who averaged 23 pts, 11 rebound, 4 assist and 2.3 steals a game for the season. The supporting cast of both teams were all auditing for starring roles. If it wasn’t leaf or Saunders hitting a shot, it was Nick Stover, or Javante Brooks hitting a shot. There was a pay per view fight (Pacquiao vs. Cotty) on tonight, but from all accounts, there was a better fight going on in Cajon San Diego.

It was apparent from the beginning that Windward was going to need to have the heart of lions to over come Foothills advantages; the 2 ½ hour, home gym advantage and fans outnumbering Windward fans 5-1. Foothills fans were noisy, and plentiful. They were also the best opposing and well-mannered fans I’ve encountered this year I can always tell when a school is use to winning, they have character and class.

It wasn’t until the later part of the 2nd quarter that Windward got their legs underneath them, Freshman Jordan Wilson, scored 5 consecutive points, and then it was game on. Both teams showed the sociological meaning of what competitors really are:

rivalry between two or more persons or groups for an object desired in common, usually resulting in a victor and a loser but not necessarily involving the destruction of the latter.

In the end, well, in Overtime, Windward was the victor and, both teams were victorious. Sometimes we forget the high school sports is not the end of the world, it’s the beginning of these young peoples lives. The lesson they learn on the court or field will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Tonight, I was witness to how the game, when played with heart, is such a beautiful game to watch.

Windward was led by Wesley Saunders 27 points 12 rebounds, Nick Stover, 24 points, kwame Firewpong, 9 pts, and Freshman Jordan Wilson, 9pts.

Foothills Christian was led by Troy Leaf, 23 points, Javante Brooks, 26 points and Jamal Aytes 11 points.

Windward has a repeat date with La Verne Lutheran next Saturday, Colony High School, 3 Pm. La Verne won their semi-final game 67-50 over San Diego Maranatha Christian