Basketball: SLHS Girls Earn No. 14 Ranking

After winning the IAABO Holiday Classic with a 42-34 victory over West Springfield on Friday, the South Lakes girls basketball team has earned a top-20 ranking by the Washington Post sports section. 

The 11-1 Seahawks, coached by SLHS alum Christy Winters Scott, have won 10 in a row and enter the Post list ranked No. 14.

This is the first time during Winters Scott's eight seasons that the Seahawks have been ranked.

"It is not really surprising, because I know the  girls have put in a lot of work," said Winters Scott. "We have 10 regular-season games left and our expectations are to be successful. At the beginning of the season, we did not put a number on where we wanted to be, we just wanted to get better every day."

The team's only loss this season so far came Nov. 29, when West Springfield topped them by one point.

The Seahawks are led by juniors Caitlin Jensen (10.4 points per game) and Abigail Rendle (10.9 ppg, 8 blocks per game).

"Caitlin been consistent throughout the season," the coach said, adding that moving her to the two spot this season has freed Jensen up to become a more well-rounded player.

Winters Scott says "the sky is the limit" for Rendle. Both players have earned attention from college programs, Winters Scott said.

"Abby is refining her approach to the game," said Winters Scott. "It is amazing to see her come into her own and propel herself into the payer we all know she can be. She has confidence, poise and execution."

Rendle had a triple-double in one of the IAABO Classic games and was also named MVP of the tournament.

Winters Scott, who also hosts the pre- and post-game Washington Wizards show on Comcast Sportsnet, missed Friday's tournament final because of a broadcast scheduling conflict. 

She said the South Lakes assistant coaches were texting her scores and photos throughout the game.

South Lakes continues its Liberty District schedule at home against Fairfax on Friday. Tip off is 7:30 p.m. The Seahawks are 4-0 in Liberty District play.