Hughes’ last-second three-pointer lifts Warwick over Penn Manor in L-L League semifinals
Hughes’ last-second three-pointer lifts Warwick over Penn Manor in L-L League semifinals
Written by: TJ Eck on February 14, 2024
The play was designed for Carter Horst.
“Coach told me if you can get to the bucket, go get a bucket,” said Horst.
A two-point basket would’ve tied the game but fortunately for Horst and his Warwick teammates, the play didn’t go as planned Wednesday night.
“It’s players making plays,” said Warwick head coach Chris Christensen. “It’s not the X’s and the O’s, it’s the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s sometimes.”
Christensen’s team trailed Penn Manor by two points with less than 25 seconds remaining in Wednesday’s Lancaster-Lebanon League playoff semifinal at Conestoga Valley High School.
That’s when he called the play for Horst. It was almost a disaster. The Warriors nearly turned the ball over but retained possession and the rock ended up in the hands of senior point guard Tyree Hughes. With the clock nearly expired, he fired up a three-pointer from the wing. It went through the net to give the Warriors a one-point lead with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Despite Hughes’ heroics, time remained on the clock. Penn Manor drew up a play to get junior guard Michael Lower a look from near half court. His shot was off the mark and the Warriors advanced to the L-L League championship game with a thrilling, 66-65, victory over the Comets.
“It’s an instant classic,” said Penn Manor head coach Larry Bellew. “I just don’t like the way it ended…for the most part, we played pretty darn well. We got beat by a team that just played a little bit better tonight.”
It appeared like Penn Manor was going to come out on top during a wild fourth quarter. Junior point guard Andrew Gallion came away with a steal and found Lower for a lay-in to make it 63-60 Comets with about one minute to play. Warwick answered as sophomore forward Ya’Majesty Washington drilled a three-pointer to tie the game with 38.3 seconds remaining.
With the game on the line, Penn Manor went to its best player. Senior forward Ethan Benne scored a driving layup off an assist from fellow senior forward Dhamir Wesley to make it a 65-63 Penn Manor lead with 24.7 seconds on the clock.
That led to the final possession for the Warriors and Hughes’ shot that will go down in Warwick history.
“Right when I made it, I looked towards our bench and started screaming,” said Hughes. “We did it for each other.”
Hughes finished the night with 18 points and five three-pointers. As a team, the Warriors connected on 14 shots from beyond the arc with five different players making at least two three-pointers in the game.
“When we’re making shots, we’re pretty tough,” said Christensen. “It was everybody. It wasn’t one guy so when it’s coming from different places, it’s hard to defend.”
Horst added: “Once one person hits, it’s just contagious.”
Carter Horst scored 9 points and dished out 5 big assists for @warwick_hoops Wednesday night to help the Warriors advance to the @LLhoops championship.
Hughes led the way for Warwick offensively Wednesday night but four Warriors scored in double-figures. Washington finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while junior forward Caleb Johnsen tallied 12 points and four boards. Senior guard Trevor Evans added 10 points while Horst netted nine points to go along with five assists and three rebounds.
Our @LLhoops Player of the Game is an easy choice:
Penn Manor was paced by Benne. The future Millersville Marauder scored a game-high 23 points, hauled in seven rebounds, dishes out six assists, and registered three blocks. Wesley scored 14 points and pulled in seven boards while Lower finished with 10 points.
The Comets are eliminated from the L-L League playoffs but the season is not over. Penn Manor has earned the No. 11 seed in the upcoming PIAA District 3 Class AAAAAA tournament and will play at No. 6 seed Reading on Tuesday, February 20.
“I can’t be more proud of a group of guys than I am of those guys right now,” said Bellew. “They showed what we are about. Perseverance. Resilience…we want to keep this going as long as possible.”
Warwick now prepares for the L-L League championship game, something it hasn’t won since 1988. The Warriors will meet Cedar Crest for the league title Friday night at Manheim Township High School.
“I just know that they’re good and they’re huge,” said Horst. “We’re gonna have to adjust to their height but I’m sure they’re excited and we’re excited.”
