Henderson Girls Take Home the Ches-Mont Title!

In the vibrant arena of high school sports, there’s a hidden gem that gleams brightest: its unparalleled ability to sculpt the leaders of tomorrow. Enter Whitney Evans and Jackie Shea, shining examples of this transformative power.

After the Henderson girl’s faced a setback with their loss to Coatesville on Jan. 4, senior guard Whitney Evans took action. Sensing the need for change, Evans reached out to her teammates, including fellow senior Jackie Shea. Their pivotal discussion unfolded in a classroom, marked by a sense of maturity and composure. 

This candid exchange proved to be a turning point for the Warriors’ season. Since that moment, Henderson has displayed a remarkable turnaround, securing victory in 12 consecutive games. Their impressive streak culminated in a triumphant 51-44 win against West Chester East in the Ches-Mont League Tournament championship, held at West Chester University’s Hollinger Field House this past Tuesday.

The victory marked a significant milestone for the Warriors, as it was their first Ches-Mont League championship since 2018 when Abbey and Ellie Shea, Jackie Shea’s older sisters, were part of the team.

Reflecting on the achievement, Jackie Shea recalled witnessing the previous championship as an 11-year-old sixth grader in the stands. “Being a part of history feels amazing,” she expressed. “I remember seeing the 2018 team’s banner in the Henderson gym. None of us on this team had experienced this victory before. After the loss to Coatesville, we reached a turning point. Everyone stepped up and put in the hard work.”

Henderson’s journey to victory didn’t start smoothly. They weathered an early surge from East, as the Vikings secured the game’s initial seven points. Sofia Keith’s six points contributed to East’s 12-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. East maintained their lead for much of the second quarter. However, the Warriors staged a late comeback, ending the quarter with an impressive 8-0 run. Whitney Evans capped off the run with a layup off a steal just before the buzzer, propelling Henderson to a narrow one-point lead.

Unlike their previous game against Unionville where they trailed, Henderson entered halftime with a slim 23-22 lead. 

East’s Sofia Keith quickly tied the game with a free throw early in the third quarter, but Jackie Shea regained the lead for the Warriors by sinking one of two free throws. This sparked a 7-0 scoring run, with Shea, Evans, and Ari Rivera contributing points, extending Henderson’s lead to 30-23 with 4:53 remaining in the quarter.

Although the Vikings managed to break the run with a free throw from Lauren Horan, East narrowed the gap to 34-32. Nevertheless, Henderson held a 38-35 advantage heading into the final quarter.

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, everyone in this league is well coached and have good players,” said Neff, who is in her 10th season. “I thought the turning point in the season came when everyone took ownership. As for this game, I was not certain until there was around 30 seconds left. The kids had to step up and take ownership, and they did.”

Despite East’s valiant effort to stage a comeback, reducing the deficit to 40-37 with just under five minutes remaining, it was Whitney Evans who seized the moment for the Warriors. Displaying exceptional composure and skill, Evans asserted herself by scoring six crucial points out of the team’s final 11. Her poise under pressure was evident as she confidently sank all four of her free throws in the closing 30 seconds, ultimately sealing the victory for Henderson.

The Warriors demonstrated remarkable scoring versatility, with Whitney Evans leading the charge with 17 points, closely followed by Jackie Shea’s 14 points and Ari Rivera’s 10 points. Meanwhile, on the opposing side, Sofia Keith showcased her skills with 12 points for East, complemented by Annalise Kubasko’s strong performance, contributing 11 points to their effort.

Both teams are looking ahead to District 1 playoffs. Henderson, positioned as the 10th seed, ignites the home court on Friday, locking horns with the formidable No. 23 Central Bucks South in an electrifying 6A showdown. Meanwhile, the Vikings seize a moment to regroup and rejuvenate after their valiant effort. With a bye in the first round of 5A, they eagerly await their next challenge. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, when the Vikings play the winner of the Phoenixville-Chester clash!