Warriors Lose to Wissahickon, 67-54

ABINGTON, PA – Twin brothers Jason and Chas McCormick combined for 31 points and the Henderson High School basketball team maintained a lead through most of three quarters, but a fourth period onslaught by Wissahickon’s Jordan Reed earned the Trojans a 67-54 victory Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the Ghost Tip Off Classic at Abington High School.

The 6-4, 220-pound Reed, a mid-major Division I college recruit, scored 13 points in the fourth quarter as Wissahickon erased a three-point deficit and won going away through the final eight minutes to even their record at 1-1.  Henderson fell to 0-2 heading into league play Tuesday night at Unionville High School (7:30 p.m.).

A powerful slasher who can score inside and hit free throws (13-18) to complement his game, Reed has an offer from Siena College and interest from both Manhattan College and Fairfield University, according to Wissahickon coach Kyle Wilson.  “He’s difficult for teams to handle,” said Wilson, whose squad went 15-10 last year in tough Suburban One League play. 

Henderson actually pulled it off through most of the contest behind Jason McCormick early and Chas McCormick late with contributions from T.J. White and Declan Kane plus solid free throw shooting.  The touch from the free throw line and their ability to slow down Reed deserted the Warriors late and they left the season-opening tournament with experience against difficult competition that will be useful in January and February.

“Henderson is a very good team, maybe a shooter away from beating us tonight,” added Wilson.  “The twins are tough.  They can get to the rim.”

The Warriors did get their points on the inside but faltered from the charity stripe, hitting just six of 15 in the second half.  Jason McCormick got Henderson off fast with eight first quarter points and White added seven as the Warriors took a 17-14 lead after one.  They held a one-point edge at halftime and a five-point lead late in the third, but Reed kept the Trojans alive time and time again before exploding for 13 in the fourth.

“They (Wissahickon) are a well-coached, disciplined team and number 33 got it going in the fourth quarter,” offered Henderson coach Chris Bruno.  “In order to get better, you have to play good teams  and this is a strong tournament.  We’re progressing with every single minute.”

Bruno played all 13 members of the roster and got points from eight of them with Chas McCormick contributing 10 plus six rebounds.  Other strong contributions came from Kane (four points), P.J. Costello (four points) and Derek Rosenthal (four rebounds).

The way the Henderson schedule falls this year keeps the team on the road until January.  Following Tuesday night’s game at Unionville, the Warriors visit to Oxford on Thursday, Dec. 15 (7:30 p.m.), and Coatesville on Tuesday, Dec. 20 (7:30 p.m.).