Fans fortunate enough to get tickets before they sold-out packed into Herndon High School’s crowded gym last night and screamed encouragement for their favored team as South Lakes faced off against rival Herndon in two of the most anticipated basketball games of the year.

Tensions were running particularly high because of a fight that broke out during the junior varsity boys basketball game at South Lakes Dec. 19 and a vandalism war that occurred between the two schools in the beginning of the year.

South Lakes Seahawks dominated the girls varsity basketball game, defeating the Herndon Hornets 71-27.

The following boys varsity basketball game was a more contested match.

South Lakes junior Brandon Kamga dunk tied the game at nine points midway through the first quarter and propelled his team to a 12-11 lead going into the second quarter.

Kamga continued to earn points for his team in the second quarter, finishing the first half with a total of ten. Kamga was closely followed in points by senior guard Kent Auslander, who led Herndon with nine.

Despite Kamga’s contributions to the scoreboard, South Lakes fell behind Herndon 27-24 at halftime.

Herndon’s senior guard Malcolm McKenzie ended the back and forth third quarter with a three-pointer, widening his team’s lead on South Lakes to 42-36.

Both teams continued to play aggressively during the final quarter, encouraged by the boisterous crowd. Numerous free throw opportunities gave Herndon an advantage, as did the return of Herndon senior guard Dorian Johnson from the bench after foul trouble in the third quarter. Johnson scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and led the Hornets to a 73-53 victory.

For his part, Kamga was closely contained during the fourth quarter and only managed to earn four of his 20 points in that time period.

After Friday night’s doubleheader, South Lakes girls varsity basketball has a 7-0 record and their male counterparts are 2-4.

The lady Seahawks will look to continue their undefeated streak as they face Fairfax High School Tuesday, Jan. 7 . Boys basketball will next play Centreville High School in the Wakefield Holiday Tournament Thursday, Dec. 26.