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  SAN DIEGO – In reality, the Los Angeles Windward team needed to play even better than it had during the first three days of the tournament.

And its Hyattsville, MD, DeMatha counterpart needed to have a significant letdown after playing so impressively during its first three victories in National Division play of the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

Neither thing happened and that’s why DeMatha’s players and coaching staff will board a Washington, D.C.-bound jetliner with tournament championship hardware in their overhead storage space.

Coach Mike Jones’ team – oozing with talent, depth and composure – withstood the spirited play of Windward’s Wildcats and came away with a 74-64 victory in front of an overflow crowd in Torrey Pines High’s gymnasium Friday night.

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SAN DIEGO – Coach Miguel Villegas’ Los Angeles Windward basketball team recorded consecutive upsets this week to earn its way into Friday night’s championship game of the National Division of the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

But if the Wildcats win the title Friday night, it would have to be classified as something well beyond an upset.

That’s because Villegas’ squad takes on 8-0 Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha in the game set to tip off at 8:15 p.m. Pacific Time.

Coach Mike Jones’ Stags are rated as high as No.

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SAN DIEGO – As far as chills and thrills go, Wednesday delivered on each front during the National Division action in the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

At least that was the case in the final game of the night . . .

Woodland Hills (CA) Taft, Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha, Newark (CA) Memorial and Los Angeles Windward each advanced to Thursday night’s championship semifinals with victories in quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Taft (56-39 over Torrey Pines), DeMatha (in an 83-47 dismantling of Lakewood Mayfair) and Newark Memorial (57-49 against Playa Del Rey St.

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SAN DIEGO – There isn’t going to be a gymnasium this season that will play host to more of the best California senior boys’ basketball players than the one on the Torrey Pines High campus this week during the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

But it was a player from the Class of 2013 who created the most buzz during Tuesday’s eight-game, National Division schedule.

San Jose Mitty junior Aaron Gordon – like a certain basketball writer I’m quite familiar with – was battling the effects of a cold Tuesday as he led his team against a very gifted Compton squad, led by one of those elite-level California seniors, 6-foot-6 Victor Robbins.

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The best of post-Christmas high school hoops – anywhere – can be found in San Diego County for the next five days.

The 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Prep Classic is set for five San Diego high schools, with the featured National Division contests held at host Torrey Pines (3710 Del Mar Heights Road), beginning with three games that get underway Monday night at 5:25.

Competition at all five schools (Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon, Westview, Cathedral Catholic and Rancho Bernardo) begins Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock.

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