Boys Basketball: Herndon High Wins Season Opener

Sophomores DeAndre Thomas and Dorian Johnson began their second season by leading the Herndon High boys basketball team past Washington-Lee Tuesday.

The duo led the youth-dominant Hornet squad with 18 and 17 points, respectively, as the Hornets defeated the Generals 67-62.

“We really came out and had a great first half,” said Herndon coach Chris Whelan. “Defensively we had so much energy and created 14 turnovers and got up big.”

Those turnovers aided the Hornets to outscore the Generals 16-3 in the second quarter to take a 33-14 lead into halftime. However, W&L made adjustments in the locker room and came out blazing in the third, scoring 33 to close within nine points of Herndon before heading into the last quarter.

The Generals eventually closed the Hornet lead to six but Herndon, although outscored 16-12 in the fourth, hung on late to grab the “W” and start the season strong.

“They came back and hurt us a little bit on our press. One guy, number 20 had five threes and caught fire,” Whelan said. “That hurt us, our youth showed and we took some bad shots. Those are areas we need to get better at because we’re so young. It’s just going to take some time.”

Despite the Hornets losing six seniors, including Austin Hamilton and Jonathan Beltran, to graduation, seven players return, including multitalented senior Patrick McLaughlin, who scpred 12 points.

Junior Ryan Griffin matched McLaughlin with 12 points and shot a solid 4-of-6 in free throws.  Johnson hit three of Herndon's six three-pointers in the game, while Thomas, newcomer Kent Auslander and senior Ashkan Naderi each hit one from behind the arc.

Whelan said this year’s defense is talented.  The Hornets are counting on their full-court-press to close teams out earlier in games, as opposed to squeezing out wins in nail-biters.

“When we put it all together we’re going to be a really good team," the fifth-year coach said. "This is the most athletic team I’ve had since I’ve been here at Herndon.”

Herndon travels to West Potomac Friday, Dec. 2. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.