Sports
Big Front Line Big Problem For South Lakes Against Broad Run
6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10 Spartans deal Seahawks worst loss of the Mike Desmond era; arch-rival Herndon (1-4) awaits.
By BRIAN McNICOLL
South Lakes High’s boys’ basketball team will have to find new ways to negotiate a number of challenges this year, and their first outing against a truly bigger team proved that overcoming a size advantage will take some work.
Broad Run’s starting front line of 6-foot-9 Brady Pollard and 6-foot-10 Ryan Brzenzski took control early and never let up on the way to an 81-51 victory last Saturday at South Lakes.
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By the time the first quarter was over, Pollard and Brzenzski had combined for 14 points and four blocked shots, and the Spartans from Loudoun County had a 14-point lead and were on their way to dealing the Seahawks the most lopsided defeat of the Mike Desmond era.
South Lakes, now 2-2, clawed back to within nine at halftime, and was still within 13 as late as the 6:12 mark of the fourth quarter. But Broad ;Run then went on a 14-0 run to bury the Seahawks, who emptied the bench with more than two minutes to go.
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“Credit to [Broad Run Coach] Jacob [Krogh’s] crew,” said Desmond. “That’s the reason I wanted to play them. They’re building a real power in Division 4. And they got 25 on us in the first quarter and 29 in the fourth, and you can’t win like that.”
Makhai Ramos was the bright spot for South Lakes. He scored 23 points, the most by a Seahawk this season. He made three 3-pointers and went 3-of-3 at the line as he drove creatively and courageously through the towering trees on the Spartan interior.
“I make a point of studying the defense to see where I can get through,” said Ramos. “I’ve tried to prepare more, watch more film and defend at 100%.”
Ramos said the team will improve as its defense takes shape. “We have to close out and box out,” he said. “We have to rebound and defend the 3s.”
Desmond said his team has some learning to do, but Broad Run truly does deserve some credit. “They’re not really even an inside team,” Desmond said. “They killed us in transition. And Brzenzski (all-region performer last season) gets the headlines, but that’s a real good team. They know what they’re doing.”
The Seahawks travel to Herndon tonight to take on the arch-rival Hornets. Herndon is 1-4 with a victory over Thomas Jefferson and losses to Madison, McLean, Tuscarora and Woodson.
