Girls’ basketball: Santa Maria St. Joseph wins Division 4A

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Fourth-seeded Windward could only produce one giant upset during the playoffs.

And it occurred last week against top-seeded Bell-Jeff. The Wildcats couldn’t muster up the magic again on Saturday against second-seeded Santa Maria St. Joseph.

St. Joseph won 54-41 in the Southern Section Division 4A championship at Cal State Long Beach. Last year the Knights claimed the title in Division 5AA.

The Wildcats couldn’t recover from a 21-8 first quarter deficit, despite pulling to within seven points at halftime and ending the third down 40-33. St. Joseph took command again in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 14-8.

Kelsi English and Heather Madrigal had 12 points apiece for St. Joseph (26-4) and Alyson Beebee added 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Courtney Jaco led Windward (18-10) with 15 points. Imani Stafford had nine points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots.

--Melissa Rohlin