Ventura girls’ basketball loses to Windward in a thriller

The VHS girls’ basketball team concluded another 20+ win season with a loss to the Windward Wildcats in the CIF quarterfinals that came down to the final buzzer. The final score was 48-45. Ventura concluded the season with a 26 and 5 record, also finishing 1st in league play, going 14 and 0. The team’s final rank was the 26th best team in California.

Ventura scored their first points when forward Brinley Anderson ‘27 got a rebound and put the ball right back up for two points. Ventura scored to start the second quarter when guard Kai Staniland ‘26 hit a side step three pointer to bring the score to 12 Ventura 13 Windward. With 3:38 left in the second quarter, Anderson got to the low post with a spin move before going up and scoring, getting the and-one. The first half finished with Windward up 27 to 17. Cooper West ‘29 said, “I felt like we were going to lose. I didn’t have any hope.”

Ventura started to mount their comeback at the start of the second half, outscoring Windward 14 to 12 in the third. Ventura head coach Ann Larson said, “The team knew we were better than we played in the first half. They didn’t really need much encouragement. Our game plan was good; we made a few defensive adjustments at half. Most importantly, they did not quit. They hit shots and played great defense in the 2nd half. I was so proud of their effort, in this game but also all season.” At the start of the fourth quarter, the score was 31 to 39 with Windward up by 8. Ventura started their fourth quarter comeback with Staniland hitting two free throws. With 2:38 left in the game, senior guard Abby Golden made a contested three to make the deficit one point. Windward responded by getting two points, to which Ventura responded with another three, this time by Staniland at the top of the key, with 1:45 left to tie the game at 43. 

Windward made a three then fouled Staniland, who made both free throws to make the score 46 to 45. Windward then made another two pointer to increase their lead up to 3 points. With one last chance to tie the game, the Cougars gave the ball to Staniland, who took the three at the buzzer. Staniland, being double teamed and heavily contested, missed the shot. After the game was over, head coach of the Cougars, Larson, brought the team out to the center of the court and asked the fans to give the team a round of applause, to which the fans responded with a cheer for the team. Larson said, “The atmosphere at the game last Wednesday was AMAZING. The student section was awesome. I look forward to seeing and hearing them next season!”