Highlanders Lose Heartbreaker to South Lakes

Darius Smith hit a lay-up with 1.6 seconds remaining in the game to give the South Lakes Seahawks a 60-58 victory over the McLean Highlanders in the Liberty District semifinals.

Smith took over in the fourth quarter, going coast-to-coast for a layup, then coming back the very next possession with a 3-point play to stretch the Seahawks’ lead to five. McLean came right back with a three by Sango Amolo and a layup by Thomas Van Wazer, setting the stage for Smith to complete his fourth-quarter explosion in style.

The Highlanders raced out to a 7-0 lead paced by junior Kevin Lastova, who sank a pair of 3-pointers.  Co-District Player of the Year Gordon Rogo also added a basket to start things off. The Seahawks got a pair of baskets from Smith, but were still down seven after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Seahawks climb back into the game thanks to deadeye shooting by senior Joseph Daye and junior D.J. Christian. Daye hit a pair of 3-pointers and helped cut the lead to four at the half.

But the story of the game for McLean remained Lastova. He hit four triples, to keep McLean’s advantage between four and six points most of the third quarter. Christian scored a fast-break layup, was fouled and hit the ensuing foul shot with about a minute left in the quarter to bring the margin down to two.

South Lakes never led until the fourth quarter, and then Smith put his stamp on the game. The Seahawks will face Langley in the championship Friday.