NORFOLK (WAVY) — The Darren Sanderlin era at Maury High School officially tips off Friday when the Commodores take Booker T. Washington in their season opener.

Most recently the head coach at Kempsville, Sanderlin takes over from Brandon Plummer, who left Maury for a role on John Richardson’s staff at Elizabeth City State University.

Sanderlin joins Ted Bacalis, Jack Baker and Plummer as the only Maury basketball head coaches since 1958.

“I can feel the energy, I can feel the spirit in here,” Sanderlin said. “Also the tradition with Bacalis and Baker, my dad played with Jack Baker under Bacalis.”

Sanderlin has the credentials.

He won back-to-back state titles as a player for the Bookers, and then two decades later, coached them to a state title.

He led Kempsville to a rare appearance in the state playoffs.

His goal at Maury is to win, but being a high school head coach is about more than just wins and losses.

“You’re not going to a championship every year so I don’t even play that game,” Sanderlin said. “But you can help kids be successful, you can help kids be motivated, you can help kids to dreams that they can accomplish and make reality.”

And if the wins and championships do come, it’s going to be because everyone bought in.

“I can’t win without them and I’m saying they can’t win without me,” Sanderlin said. “Why not just bring it all together and win together.”