In a thrilling showdown at Richert Gymnasium last Saturday afternoon, the Warriors managed to weather a storm brought on by Springfield (Delco) and clinched a hard-fought 50-47 victory in a non-league clash.
The visiting Cougars (with a record of 3-4) threw a defensive curveball at the Warriors (standing strong at 8-1) by deploying a triangle-and-two defense in an attempt to put the brakes on the formidable Nyle Ralph-Beyer (Sacred Heart commit). Despite the strategic challenge, Ralph-Beyer showcased his star power by tallying an impressive 21 points, including four three-pointers. The game reached a nail-biting climax when the Cougars’ Colin Truede attempted a last-second three-pointer, only to see it clang off the rim, securing Henderson’s eighth win of the season against just one loss.
The entire game was a seesaw battle, with the Warriors clinging to a slim 35-34 lead after three periods. Ralph-Beyer, receiving a slick assist from Connor Fleet, made a crucial play at 4:49 in the fourth period, propelling the Warriors to a 42-41 lead. However, Springfield quickly countered, with Colin Dolan’s inside score pushing the Cougars ahead 43-42 with 4:12 remaining.
Just when it seemed Henderson would pull away, Fleet sank a three-pointer, granting the Warriors a 47-43 lead at the 1:56 mark in the fourth period. The resilient Cougars, though, fought back, with Ryan Johnston’s inside basket narrowing the gap to 47-45 and only 1:22 left on the clock.
In the closing minutes, Henderson and Springfield traded blows, with Nelson Lamizana making a crucial free throw to give the Warriors a 48-45 lead. The tension escalated as the Cougars opted for a two-point shot, executed by freshman TJ Valletti, cutting Henderson’s lead to 48-47 with a mere 12.3 seconds left.
In a strategic timeout, the Warriors regrouped, and as the game resumed, a well-executed play saw Jesse Smith fouled immediately after catching Fleet’s pass in the front court. Smith coolly sank both free throws, securing a 50-47 edge for the Warriors with just 9.6 seconds remaining. Despite a final attempt by the Cougars, led by coach Kevin McCormick’s strategic setup for a potential game-tying three-pointer, Truede’s shot missed the mark. Henderson skillfully batted the ball in the air, clinching a heart-stopping victory that was closer than anyone expected.
Reflecting on the intense contest, Henderson coach Jason Ritter praised his seniors for their resilience, acknowledging the team’s depth and the gritty determination that proved to be the difference in a game that could have gone either way. Ritter emphasized the experience of his seniors in navigating such high-stakes situations, highlighting the growth and maturity of his team compared to the previous year. Congrats team! We can’t wait to see the rest of the season unfold!
West Chester Henderson 50, Springfield 47
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Action caught by Tom Silknitter from DLN.
WC HENDERSON (50): Kearney 2 0-0 5, Ralph-Beyer 10 1-1 21, Fleet 3 0-0 9, Lamizana 2 1-4 5, Smith 2 2-2 8, McFadden 1 0-0 2, Bell 0 0-0 0, Delucia 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 4-7-50.
SPRINGFIELD (47): Flaherty 2 0-0 6, Dolan 3 0-0 7, Adams 3 0-0 8, Toomey 1 0-0 3, Truede 6 0-3 13, Johnston 1 2-2 4, Valletti 2 2-2 6. Totals 15 4-7 47.
WC Henderson: 17 – 5 – 13 – 15 > 50
Springfield: 10 – 10 – 14 – 13 > 47
3-point goals: Flaherty 2, Dolan 1, Adams 2, Toomey, Truede, Ralph-Beyer 4, Fleet 3, Smith 2, Kearney 1
