SOUDERTON, PA -- -- The Henderson High School Basketball Team’s 2011-12 season came to a close on the road Friday night, when the Warriors’ few but decisive weaknesses were exposed by a terrific team from Souderton in the first round of District I tournament play.
Focused and comfortable on their Montgomery County home court, the Indians registered a 67-55 victory by using their size advantage on the boards and their patience and passing skills everywhere else. Forced to earn every point on offense and to reboot too often on defense, the Warriors ran out of gas midway through the fourth quarter, drawing the curtain on a successful but unsatisfying campaign.
“Souderton had just enough size and they were relentless on the boards,” offered Henderson coach Chris Bruno, who closed out his first year with a 13-11 record. “We’re an undersized team, and we have to realize the importance of staying down there and boxing out. But give credit to Souderton. They have a very nice group of seniors. They play beautifully.”
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The rebounding weakness became apparent when 6-2 senior T.J. White, a Villanova football commit and four-year basketball starter, went down with a back injury midway through the year. When the Warriors cannot disrupt their opponents’ ball security in the open floor to get easy baskets in transition, their speed advantage is negated. With its slick passing and fundamentally sound execution, Souderton was just the wrong team for Henderson to get in the first round.
“Henderson’s a hard-working, aggressive team,” stated Sounderton coach Dennis Stanton after his team moved to 18-5 on the season with Council Rock North on tap next week in the Distrct I Sweet 16. “Their style is emblematic of their heart.”
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True to form in most games this season, the Warriors handled adversity well, clawing their way back from 11-point deficits in both the second and third quarters. It was the McCormick twins again slashing into the lane and getting baskets or free throws while Souderton rode the scoring of senior guard Mark Wonderling, who finished with a game-high 25 points.
Midway through the fourth quarter, senior David Goodman scored down low and Chas McCormick followed with two free throws to cut the Souderton lead to six at 54-48. But Wonderling promptly halted the Henderson momentum with a corner three and then got a fast break layup off a blocked shot to put the Indians up 11. The Warriors never threatened again. Jason McCormick led Henderson with 14 points and Chas added 12.
“We got back on defense. We’re a senior-laden team,” added Stanton, whose team finished second to Central Bucks West in the Suburban One Continental Division this season. “Mark Wonderling’s done that for us all year long.”
While Souderton moves on, Henderson seniors P.J. Costello (eight points, including one fast break on an assist from brother Colin), Goodman (12 points), Tony Silver and Derek Rosenthal end their Henderson careers.
“I love these guys. I wish we had more time with the seniors,” Bruno concluded. “I hate to see it end.”
