L ast year, they faced every obstacle, passed every test, and beat all the odds. South Lakes thought they had seen it all. Not quite. Despite earning their first state title in school history, the Seahawks faced the immense pressure of repeating the feat. But how can a team that wins districts, regionals, and a state title all in one season graduate more than half their starting lineup and other key players and still find a way to make history? The answer is simple. Put your head down, do your job, and do it correctly. South Lakes overcame a 30-25 halftime deficit against the C.G. Woodson Cavaliers and escaped the Siegel Center with a 68-60 victory. “Last year, we got one, and we made history, and this year we got another one, which set the bar higher for the next teams to come,” South Lakes senior and Michigan State commit Jordan Scott said. Scott’s 32 points and nine rebounds, combined with teammate Merrick Rillstone’s perfect free throw percentage and 21 total points –11 in the third quarter and 19 in the second half – were enough to overcome Woodson, who entered last Saturday’s final after scoring a massive upset over Oscar Smith in the state semi-finals. However, without the services of star guard Noah Limbago, the Cavaliers and head coach Doug Craig rolled with Ryan Corallo in their starting lineup. Against the Seahawks, it was Kaylen Chilton, who scored 18 points, and Theo Burke, who scored 11, that shined against Mike Desmond’s group, who played their own version of “HAVOC” defense, a fast full-court pressure style that, coincidentally, was made popular by the VCU Rams, whose building hosted the state championship. Desmond showed love to Craig before and after the game, calling him a great man and a mentor who would always look out for him. He also highlighted how the Cavaliers gave the Seahawks a great fight and an intense challenge. “I didn’t want Woodson to get many options against us; it was man to man, and with Kaylen, you have to trap him. We could not let him get into a rhythm. With Noah unfortunately being hurt, it was one less player to worry about, but it was also tough because Kaylen and Theo handle the ball so well,” Desmond said. In the first half, the Cavaliers got off to a strong start, leading by five at the end of the first quarter and maintaining a five-point advantage going into the break. During intermission, Rillstone found his stride, thanks to a text from his mother, who was watching on a stream link back in New Zealand. “She was just telling me, ‘You need to calm down,’” Rillstone said. “I played a lot calmer in the second half, didn’t force too much.” Over the past four seasons, two teams completed back-to-back championship campaigns. The Hayfield Hawks did it first, including a historic 32-0 season. Now, South Lakes has joined the party, and if that wasn’t enough, the Seahawks ended Hayfield’s bid for a three-peat before going on this run. Four straight regional titles in the last four years and three straight wins since the speech, culminating in two state final appearances and being the last team standing. Mike Desmond’s speech at the end of the regional championship officially has merit. If you ask Desmond now, having had the chance to look back and reflect on this run, his thoughts were short and simple. “What I said after we won the regionals was not a prediction,” Desmond said. “It was a spoiler.” Desmond doesn’t say too much, nor is he one to show much emotion. However, as the clock struck zero and the championship celebrations loomed on, Desmond had a moment to reflect on where he was in his coaching career while showing a side of himself neither his players nor the Seahawk family had seen. “This year was different. The game, gym, and crowds were smaller. I showed emotion after the game, and I never do that. I found my family in the crowd, and I knew this was the end of an era. The Jordan Scott era,” Desmond said. “I knew that it was ok to celebrate. Some coaches never win this game; I’m fortunate to have won twice now. I am so proud of these kids for exceeding my expectations.” Though it may mark the end of an era in the Reston area, in most ways, it’s also the dawn of a new beginning with a bright future ahead. The success of the South Lakes Seahawks over the past two seasons with players like Scott, Rillstone, Brian Kennedy, Aiden Billings, David Rochester, etc., will inspire a future generation of basketball players who will soon walk through the halls that once was home to greatness.
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