HHS Basketball: New Kids on the Block Prove Promising

Austin Hamilton now drains three-pointers for Elon University. Jonathan Beltran is running the floor at Marymount. But for those who doubt Herndon High’s spectacular 2010 varsity basketball season (23-3) can ever be replicated, the 2011 Hornets look eager to change your mind.

Head Coach Chris Whelan said this year’s squad, while very young, is the “most athletic team” he has coached since taking the helm at Herndon five years ago. 

“This team is dangerous, on two folds. One fold is, they’ve got the ability to be very good and do a lot of good things in both the district and the region just with our athletic ability,” said Whelan. “And then the other dangerous part is our youth. Can they come together and learn how to win games?”

The Hornets had a promising start at home last week in the season opener, edging Washington-Lee, 67-62. Starting sophomores Dorian Johnson and DeAndre Thomas each have one year of varsity experience under their belts and look to be the hot new duo for the next three years.

“Dorian is trying to be a good leader,” Whelan said. “I think Dorian and DeAndre are both going to be really good.”

Patrick McLaughlin, perhaps the most clutch player for Herndon in both basketball and soccer, has returned for his senior season and tallied 12 points against the Generals. Look for McLaughlin to be the go-to man in the paint to lead the Hornets when the game is on the line.

“You look at Patrick and he is a warrior on the floor,” Whelan said regarding McLaughlin’s performance and leadership ability. The fifth-year Hornet coach added that 6-foot senior Matt Smith has stepped up and shown leadership tendencies as well. While he may not rack up highlight stats, Whelan believes Smith’s presence on the floor is crucial in mentoring the youth of this team.

“It’s good we have Patrick and Matt Smith to be those guys,” Whelan said. 

Meanwhile, junior guard Ryan Griffin will run the point for Herndon this year. His coach said Griffin has the agility to get up the court quickly and the physical presence to take the outside shot with his long arms. In fact size or “length” as Whelan suggests, has surged across the board for Herndon. A number of Hornets hover above 6’2”, including Jesse Burgess and sophomore Kent Auslander at 6’3” and Johnson at 6’4.” Usually, speed is sacrificed with height but Whelan said he believes his guys have the ability to run the floor off the transition, while still posting-up strong in the half-court game.

The coach said last season he felt relaxed during close games knowing he could count on Hamilton and Beltran to combine for 40 points and pull out victories. However, he felt the defensive tired as the duo played every minute of each game. This year things have changed. Whelan said defense is the heart of this 2011 Hornet squad. Nobody will be forced to play all 32-minutes. Therefore, fresh legs will hit the floor running. The personnel is also faster this season and will bring the press hard. Whelan added, there is not one single weak link among the bunch.

“There will be a little zone and man-to-man full court,” he said. “I like to change it up as much as we can if we feel confident in those defenses. Our go-to has always been man-to-man—that has always been our bread and butter.”

Off the court, Herndon gained a welcome bonus this off-season with the addition of assistant coach Gary Hall. Hall sat at the helm of Herndon for 17 years and coached Whelan in the mid 90s.

Herndon plays at home against Annandale at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6.