Henderson Evens Season Record

OXFORD – Jason and Chas McCormick took on starring roles once again with a combined 24 points and Declan Kane added eight points, four rebounds and three assists as the Henderson High School basketball team topped Oxford, 55-38 in another road game Thursday night.

The victory lifted the Warriors to 2-2 on the season with the annual mega-challenge on tap for Tuesday, a visit to the big gym at Coatesville for the Ches-Mont National Division season opener against the pre-season league favorite Red Raiders.

Henderson wrapped up its first week of the new season with a solid effort against the Hornets of coach Sean Harvey, whose forces  could not match Henderson’s talent or depth.  Cody Hubley and Mustafa Mahmud both had 10 points for Oxford.

“We’re young and they’re very good,” said Harvey after the game.  “We knew they were going to be a handful.  They’re athletic.  We were hoping they wouldn’t shoot well from outside, but…”

Kane hit a jumper early to get the Warriors going and Chas McCormick knocked down a long two and then a three at the end of the first period to give Henderson a 13-6 lead.  The visitors’ suffocating defense took over in the second period, holding Oxford to just six points with a hustle and intensity that will be needed as the season’s tougher tests come along starting Tuesday.

“I’m happy that we got a lot of guys opportunities.  We had everyone involved,” stated Henderson coach Chris Bruno, who saw 10 different players hit the scoring column.  “We can go eight or nine deep and that will help us against Coatesville.”

Two non-starters were especially effective.  Tim Ramirez had five points and three assists, Scott Cullinan added six points and four rebounds and the Warriors disruptive defense led to several steals and fast breaks through the final two quarters.  They also improved at the free throw line, sinking 16 of 21, including nine for 11 in the second and third quarters.

“Now we’ll get the guys in the mindset to be ready for pressure,” added Bruno, finally able to focus on a Coatesville team that is as fast and athletic as high school basketball gets.  “We know the type of ball they want to play and we’ve got a group of guys who are chomping at the bit to compete with them.  Coatesville is an opponent that our guys look forward to playing twice per year, every year.”

In the final tally, Chas McCormick led all scorers with 14 points while his brother added 10. Chas also had three assists and David Goodman grabbed four rebounds.

The Henderson junior varsity registered its first win of the year with a 39-15 decision in the early game.  Freshman Colin Costello led all scorers with 12 points and Luke Weaver added eight for the Warriors.