‘Post Jordan Scott Era’ Begins For South Lakes Basketball With Victory Over West Potomac

By Brian McNicoll

The post-Jordan Scott Era got underway Monday night at South Lakes, and the results were typical for a team that is still looking to find its identity after four years in the brightest of spotlights.

The Seahawks won the last four region championships and the last two Virginia Class 6 state titles behind Scott, a 6-7 all-American guard/forward who now plays at Michigan State. On Monday night, they needed a fourth quarter rally to escape with a 40-34 victory over West Potomac in the regular season opener for both teams.

The bright side is the Seahawks got balanced scoring. George Zarechnak, who changed from football wide receiver to basketball forward, led the way with eight points. Emerson Finney and David Landeryou, a freshman, added seven each, Brady Theis six, Jaden Edwards five and Makhai Ramos four..

But as the final score indicates, it was anything but easy for the Seahawks. They missed more than 20 shots before Finney made a three with 1:46 to go in the first quarter. Fortunately, the Wolverines weren’t much better, and Finney’s shot cut the lead to 5-3.

The Seahawks took the lead early in the second quarter, but they went to the locker room tied 15-15 on a West Potomac three with two seconds left in the half.

South Lakes again took the lead early in the third quarter only to have West Potomac come from behind and lead 26-25 going into the final period.

But then South Lakes started to do some South Lakes things. The Seahawks went to a 3-2 zone and started getting into the Wolverines’ passing lanes. One tip led to a three by Edwards on the left side, then another led to a foul and two free throws for Ramos, who contributed four key foul shots down the stretch.

Suddenly the Seahawks had a two-score advantage, and West Potomac never got any closer.

“Knowing how we coach and how [West Potomac Coach David Houston] coaches, I knew it was going to look like this,” said South Lakes Coach Mike Desmond. “But you can’t put this all down to good defense. Neither team was very good on offense. It looked just like a Dec. 1 game – missed layups, close-range shots.”

Desmond said this team will present quite a change from last year. Only a few saw much action last year. Some are moving from 1-2 minutes per game to 18-20 minutes; others are moving up from JV to varsity. And one – Landeryou – is adjusting to high school as well as high school basketball.

Desmond said the freshman held his own the first time out and will be a player to watch. He also said sophomore Joshua Dagbe would be a difference maker when he returns from an injury. “He’ll be our best player and he’ll set the tone for the rest of the team,” Desmond said. “It’ll make a lot of difference when he’s healthy and ready to play.”

Desmond said last year his veteran team was ready to hit the ground running, but this year may take a little longer. “It’s a humbling experience playing high school sports. And we won’t be the favorites this year. But the kids will figure it out. Yes, we had great teams the last few years. But imagine if we hadn't won. Because we did win, we can tell the kids that what we do works. Because that's the hardest thing ... to go from what you do to what we want you to do."