The Woodside girls fell behind Westmoor by seven points after one quarter, but then hit the boards with a vengeance to defeat the Rams 50-40.
The victory came in the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals at Christopher High. The Wildcats now meet Presentation in the finals at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Santa Clara High.
Woodside's Madison Michelis, shut out in the first half, rebounded as if possessed in the second half and scored 12 points to aid the Wildcats (24-5).
"We controlled the boards and kept (the ball) high," Michelis said. "I guess I was just getting a little frustrated with myself (in the first half) and when that happens I don't play well. In the second half I just let it go and started crashing."
Added Woodside coach Hayley Grossman: "We definitely crashed the boards and that was the difference in the game."
Grossman also said attitude played a part -- the Wildcats lost to the Rams 48-36 in the Peninsula Athletic League tournament semifinals, getting down on the scoreboard and plummeting even lower mentally.
"Our players got very negative in that game," Grossman said. "They yelled at each other and we played down. And we kept getting lower and lower and lower. But it was very positive today. I told them at the start of the game to stay positive and make sure you play all four quarters and we just hustled and showed heart."
Westmoor's quickness and athleticism bothered Woodside at the outset, particularly that of Yazmeen Goo who scored eight of her 22 points in the first quarter. But the Wildcats' balanced attack eventually got to the Rams who rallied for a 20-20 tie by halftime.
Mikaeka Kitaura (16 points), Michelis and Sharnon Lionel (11 points) led the Woodside surge.
"They had 24 offensive rebounds that we counted," Westmoor coach Mike Keough said. "It just killed us. It was the second opportunities -- they were finishing on their second opportunities."
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John Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@Prep2Prep.com.
