Windward High’s Courtney Jaco is No. 1 when it comes to threes

When it comes to making three-point shots, no girls’ basketball player in Southern Section history has had a better season than senior Courtney Jaco of Los Angeles Windward High.

She enters the Open Division state championship game Saturday in Sacramento against Oakland Bishop O’Dowd as the single-season Southern Section record-holder with 142 three-pointers, according to CalHiSports.com. She has 408 three-pointers in her career.

“Practice makes perfect,” Jaco said of her success. “I work out at least once a day. I get up at least 500 shots a day. That’s how I perfect my shot.”

Her shots are frequently open shots because unbeaten Windward (32-0) has the No. 1-rated junior point guard, Jordin Canada, who creates scoring opportunities.

“She’s always looking to pass first,” Jaco said.

Windward defeated Bishop O’Dowd, 58-43, on Dec. 29, but the Wildcats won’t be overconfident. They are motivated to finish unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Asked how good Windward is, Jaco said, “So good. I wouldn’t trade these girls for the world.”

Shooters’ challenge

An arena setting can be a challenge for a high school shooter unfamiliar with an open area behind the basket.

There have been some low-scoring state championship games because lots of players have struggled to adjust.

For example, when Los Angeles Fairfax defeated Oakland McClymonds, 54-29, in 2007, McClymonds didn’t score in the second quarter.

Then there are players such as former Mater Dei guard Katin Reinhardt — now a starter as a freshman at Nevada Las Vegas. Reinhardt made a Division I state-record six three-pointers and scored 30 points in last year’s title game played at what was then known as Power Balance Pavilion.

New name, same building

Santa Ana Mater Dei has won nine boys’ titles in Sacramento — the last two at Power Balance Pavilion and seven when the venue was called Arco Arena.

This year, Power Balance Pavilion changed names to Sleep Train Arena.

No resolution for Poly

Rob Wigod, the commissioner of the Southern Section, met with Long Beach Poly officials Tuesday to discuss the decision made by basketball Coach Sharrief Metoyer to play an ineligible player, Kameron Chatman, during the Jackrabbits’ state playoff loss to Mater Dei last week.

Joe Carlson, co-principal at Poly, declined to discuss the situation, saying it was a personnel matter. There was no timetable given for a resolution.

“I don’t think either of one us feels a sense of urgency on this,” said Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons. “The basketball season doesn’t start again until November.”

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