Saturday night at Siegel Center, Jordan Scott scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds as South Lakes won its second consecutive VHSL Class 6 state title, 68-60 over Woodson.
The all-Northern Virginia conclusion to the Class 6 playoffs was a hotly-contested matchup throughout. Woodson was without Patriot District Player of the Year Noah Limbago to injury, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way the Cavaliers started the game. Woodson went up 17-12 after a quarter, with seniors Theo Burke and Kollin Morgan delivering six points apiece.
Woodson was able to hold that five-point lead by half, 30-25. Even with Cavs Coach Doug Craig having to go further into his rotation, there was a real sense Woodson could bring home its first state title in eight years.
Scott had scored 13 points and fellow senior Tosh Elston seven points by halftime, accounting for 80% of South Lakes’ points. The Seahawks needed somebody else to get going if they were to repeat as state champs.
“We talked all week, and we knew that if Merrick [Rillstone] was going to play well we had a shot,” said South Lakes Coach Mike Desmond.
The junior guard from New Zealand came out of the locker room after halftime and proceeded to play very, very well. Rillstone capped a 15-2 Seahawks run to open the third quarter with 11 straight points–two layups, two free throws, a three-pointer, and a dunk. This was after he received a text from his mom at halftime, a former Division I player at Gonzaga who was watching the game all the way in New Zealand.
“She was just telling me I need to calm down,” Rillstone said.
The Cavs (25-5) continued to fight, drawing back to within 51-46 two minutes into the fourth quarter on two free throws by sophomore Kaylen Chilton (18 points). Scott responded with a drive, and South Lakes senior guard Alec Saunders soon thereafter hit a driving layup, to make it 55-46. Until the last seconds of the game, that was as close as Woodson could get.
“Jordan [Scott] had a big night, Rillstone had a big night,” said Coach Craig. “We were hoping to take one of them away, didn’t happen.”
Rillstone finished with 21 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Elston, Saunders, and senior CJ Kemmerer each played most of the game, and combined for 14 points. More importantly, they played relentless defense against an undermanned Woodson squad, helping to wear the Cavs down. Woodson shot 10-19 from the field in the first half, but only 8-27 from the field in the second half.
Of course, Scott was also a big factor defensively as well. The Michigan State signee had five blocks to go with his 32 points. His ability to defend the perimeter and still protect the paint was another big key in the second half. Like Rillstone, he was also extremely effective getting to the basket.
HELLO MR. SCOTT!!! Jordan Scott the spin, then delivers the two-handed jam. South Lakes leads Woodson 47-42 after three quarters. pic.twitter.com/jQUmsqZoIc
— Novahoops.com (@novahoopsCom) March 15, 2025
“Getting told at halftime, even before the game, stop settling and get to the rim,” said Scott when asked if driving the lane was a point of emphasis from the Seahawk coaches. “I had a few mid-rangers that were in-and-out, I knew I could get by [my man], so I stopped settling for mid-rangers and threes.”
The Seahawks (27-4) missed only three shots in the second half as a team. Now, their reign as Class 6 state champs continues.
“This win is great,” said Desmond. “Last year was for history, this year was a statement.”
–Chris Jollay
