Warwick shuts down Ephrata, claims Section 2 title
Warwick shuts down Ephrata, claims Section 2 title
Written by: TJ Eck on February 6, 2024
Warwick needed no inspiration for the 2023-2024 season.
“Last year was motivation for them,” said Warwick head coach Chris Christensen.
The Warriors, who finished second in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League last season, claimed the 2023-2024 Section 2 title with a 43-30 victory over Ephrata Tuesday night in Lititz.
“We said we were gonna hit it, pushed ourselves to do it,” said Warwick senior guard Tyree Hughes. “We were gonna do it last year but we failed.”
Warwick claims its fifth outright or shared Section 2 title since 2019. The Warriors left no doubt that they are the top team in the section this season. They are 11-0 in league play and have won 11 straight games after a 4-5 start to the campaign.
“It’s our last year,” said Hughes, when describing Warwick’s seven-player senior class. “We have all played together since elementary school.”
Warwick clinched the section title with a dominant defensive effort Tuesday night. The Warriors surrendered just 18 points across the final three quarters and held Ephrata leading scorer and standout junior guard Marqus Hardin to only eight points and one made field goal.
“It’s kinda been the story for us,” said Christensen. “Defense has been great…it’s a testament to our guys sticking with it and just being us, which is something we preach a lot.”
Hughes led the way on offense with 12 points while pulling in eight rebounds from the point guard position. Junior forward Caleb Johnsen and senior guard Trevor Evans scored eight points apiece for the Warriors while senior guard Carter Horst logged five points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Warwick improves to 15-5 overall and locks up a home game in the quarterfinals of the L-L League playoffs. The Warriors will host either Lancaster Mennonite or Columbia in the first round of the league playoffs.
“Our guys, they stick to it and we have enough guys that have been there before,” said Christensen. “It’s pretty awesome.”
Warwick wraps up regular-season play with a home game against Manheim Central Thursday night. The Barons clinched a spot in the L-L League playoffs with Warwick’s win Tuesday night.
Ephrata drops to 12-8 overall and is now officially eliminated from contention for the L-L League playoffs. Senior forward Trent Wolf paced the Mounts with nine points and four rebounds Tuesday night. Hardin scored eight points and pulled in seven boards. The Mounts will need to earn road wins over Elizabethtown and Daniel Boone later this week to remain in the hunt for a Class AAAAAA District 3 tournament berth.
