Rendle Leads SLHS to Tournament Title

South Lakes High School's girls basketball team won its 10th straight game to to take home the championship of the IAABO Invitational Tournament in Largo, Md., on Friday.

The Seahawks defeated West Springfield 42-34 in the final. In November, West Springfield handed South Lakes a one-point defeat for the Seahawks' only loss this season so far. 

South Lakes improves to 11-1 overall. Junior center Abigail Rendle, who had 18 points against West Springfield and her first career triple-double earlier in the tournament, was named the tournament MVP.

South Lakes defeated No. 11 C.H. Flowers and Gwynn Park to get to the game against West Springfield. Both teams were undefeated prior to meeting South Lakes.

Rendle also added eight rebounds, two steals and four blocks and junior Caitlin Jensen scored a crucial three points down the stretch to solidify the win for South Lakes. Jensen finished with nine points, four assists and four steals.

South Lakes was without head coach Christy Winters Scott in the final game as she had a previous commitment (Winters Scott is also a Washington Mystics and Wizards broadcaster). The team was coached by assistants against West Springfield.

West Springfield, came to the title game with big victories over Suitland and River Hill, but scored just six points in the fourth quarter. It was the lowest offensive out-put of the season for the Spartans, and also the first time no West Springfield player posted double figures in points. South Lakes held leading scorer Amy Berglund (18 points per game) to eight points.

Next up for the Seahawks: at Fairfax at 7:30 p.m. Friday.