Boys’ basketball: Stage set for Division 5AA rematch

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They are minutes from the start of the Southern Section Division 5AA championship game between Los Angeles Windward and La Verne Lutheran.

This is a rematch of last year’s section final, won by Windward 72-62.

Top-seeded Windward (23-7), coached by Miguel Villegas, is paced by Wesley Saunders (23.6 points, 3.5 assists and 11 rebounds per game). The Wildcats have won their previous four playoff games by an average of over 32 points.

Coach Eric Cooper’s #2-seeded Trojans (22-8) have won 7 straight games, led by Grant Jerrett (18.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2 blocks per game), point guard C.J. Cooper (15.5 points, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals) and Bruce English (12.1 points).

Windward went on to win the Division 5 state championship last year in Oakland, beating St. Joseph Notre Dame 69-53 in the final. La Verne Lutheran is making its third consecutive finals appearance. The Trojans beat Pacific Hills in 2008.

Check back for quarter-by quarter updates.

-- Steve Galluzzo