GIRLS BASKETBALL : Battle-Toughened Washington Beats Morningside to End Skid

The Washington High girls’ basketball team has competed against the best among the City and Southern Section. And it’s only December.

Washington defeated perennial Southern Section power Morningside, 54-45, in an intersectional game Tuesday at home.

The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Generals, who have lost by one point to Lynwood, the State Division I runner-up, on a last-second shot and by five points to two-time defending City 4-A champion Crenshaw in the Washington tournament final.

On tap this week is the prestigious Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara on Tuesday featuring many of the top teams on the West Coast.

“I wouldn’t change a thing if I had to redo the schedule,” Washington Coach Julie Rousseau said. “We’re building toward the postseason and these are the game situations you need to be prepared for.”

Sophomore forward Kanisha Best agreed.

“It’s a challenge playing teams of high caliber,” Best said. “It helps us stay hungry and concentrate. We know what we can do against good teams when we need to.”

The Generals were able to overcome a shaky first half--and a season-high 40 turnovers--Tuesday against Morningside, winner of five Southern Section titles in seven years.

Washington, which made only two field goals in the first 14 minutes, had only four points on free throws until Jackie Lauderdale scored the Generals’ first basket on a jump shot with a little more than two minutes left in the first quarter. The Generals did not make another basket until two minutes before halftime while the Monarchs raced to a 21-9 lead.

Washington, however, finished the half scoring 11 points during a two-minute span to close to 21-20 at halftime. The spurt was part of a 23-2 run which helped the Generals open a 34-25 lead midway through the third quarter and take the lead for good.

Best had 10 of her career-high 24 points during the surge. She made eight of 13 shots from the field and also had seven rebounds. Lareishia Findley had 10 points and five blocks and Tina Greer contributed six steals and five assists.

Records: Morningside 1-1; Washington 5-2