Bottom Line: Lakeside shows flashes of brilliance

Let me start by saying that this column is in no way meant to diminish the talents of Matt Scott.

I'm a huge fan of the Lakeside High School basketball standout, but no matter how good the senior guard is, he can't win games on his own.

Lakeside has been deemed a one-man show since Scott flourished as a sophomore, when he poured in 18 points per game for the Panthers.

As a junior last season, Scott pushed his average to 26 points, but despite his scoring prowess, the Panthers managed only seven wins during the 2002-03 campaign.

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Things could be different for Lakeside this season.

The Panthers could become Columbia County's top team, because Scott's supporting cast is much stronger this year.

In Lakeside's 60-54 victory over Westside last Friday night, Scott was dogged by a box-and-one defense, which was a smart move by Patriots coach Marvin Fields.

Though Scott scored 23 points, and obviously still is the clear-cut leader of the Lakeside team, the rest of the Panthers really stepped up against Westside.

In the second half against Westside, the Panthers got hot.

Forward Will Lavery and wing player Jeremy VanValkenberg picked up their scoring, and that took some pressure off Scott.

On several occasions two Westside defenders ran to guard Scott as he cut across the court, only to leave Lavery wide open for an easy layup.

Also, the Panthers have found a point guard in Earl McCrommon, whose quickness and ball-handling were keys to Lakeside's win.

Senior forward Jarrod Bradley, meanwhile, came off the bench and contributed a few key rebounds, and he also hit a crucial three-point shot in the second half. Bradley came into the game for Philip Sadler, which gave Lakeside a bigger lineup and more power inside against the Patriots.

Though Lakeside suffered a setback with a loss Saturday at Greenbrier, the Panthers are off to a pretty good start, and if they continue to improve and play as a team, they could be a dark horse in Region 3-AAAA.

Scott has a lot of pressure on him, but great players make their teammates better, and that is beginning to happen for Lakeside.

Some folks may say that Scott gets attention because he's white, or they assume that his family is well off because they live in the Lakeside school zone, and it seems that every mistake Scott makes is heavily scrutinized.

Just to set the record straight - it doesn't matter if he's black or white, rich or poor, Scott can play.

For people who are quick to criticize, remember that this is a high school senior who is maturing every day, and it's starting to show.

Every now and then, Scott may force the issue and pump a shot when he should pass, but that's what he's had to do in the past for Lakeside to have a chance to win.

This season Scott will get his points, but so will the other Panthers.

That kind of teamwork should make Lakeside a pretty solid team.