South Lakes Boys Basketball defends the Seahawk Nest with a season opening win over West Potomac

by Varun Phadke, Student Writer

Makhai Ramos heads down the court during the South Lakes home opener on Dec. 1. Photo by Varun Phadke

As the Winter season begins, the Seahawks return to Wendell G. Byrd Gymnasium with a new group of players ready to step into bigger roles. After significant talent graduating from last year's squad, this season's group faces the challenge, and opportunity, of carrying forward the program's reputation as back-to-back state champs.

The South Lakes High School boys varsity basketball team started off strong on Monday, Dec. 1, with a season-opening victory over the West Potomac Wolverines. This win marks a promising start for the Seahawks.

One standout performer during Monday’s matchup was No. 15, freshman David Landeryou, who had been playing on the ninth grade team just a week ago. Thrown into varsity action, Landeryou made an immediate impact, playing a major role in leading the team to victory. “It was a big jump, but that's what the coaches expected when they brought me up; they expected me to be a leader,” he said. Landeryou had a major hustle play in the first quarter, forcing a turnover when a Wolverine player jogged to retrieve a loose ball thinking it was uncontested. Catching the opponent off guard, Landeryou stole the ball and finished with an underhand layup. “Right when I saw him jogging, my first thought was, ‘go get it,’” he said.

Head Coach Mike Desmond said the first game unfolded as expected, given the team's youth, first-game nerves, and inevitable early season mistakes. Still, encouraged by the positive aspects of the game, he said, “The guys showed a lot of mental toughness to not let the ups and downs hurt them, and we played great defense to get the win.” With many players young or inexperienced at the varsity level, he emphasized that practice and repetition will play a key role in shaping this year's group. “This group gets to take their time to grow as a unit,” he said, adding that the goal is to become a strong and respectable contender by the time district play comes around, and that every team is different.