NORFOLK, VA (WAVY) — Lake Taylor boys varsity basketball has lived by one word all year long.
Dominate.
Flat out, they’ve done just that.
The Titans are 25-1 in the 2023-’24 season. Head coach Derek ‘Yogi’ Edwards knows last season didn’t end the way they wanted it to. All things considered, this group of upperclassmen is one he knows is good enough to help push Lake Taylor over the top.
“They’re too good to leave without a state title,” Edwards said. “They need to be on the wall because they’ve been too good to this school not to be up there.”
Elijah Washington, Rodney Baines and Shahide Battle have been producing at the highest level for this team, as they push for their first state title since 2018. It’s a bittersweet experience for the seniors, knowing it’s their last game no matter what.
“I’ve been thinking about it lately, but I’m ready to go and get the job,” Washington said. “We’ve been practicing hard this week. We’re going to go out there and put some work in.”
“We were trying to make it to states and make it as far as we can,” Baines said. “We want to be able to enjoy the moment and win the game. … We’re going to bring it back home and get our ring. Put a banner on that wall somewhere.”
Lake Taylor tips off against 2023 champs Northside at 8 p.m. Friday.