All five of them went to the scorer\u2019s table at the same time. They were more than subs. They were a message.<\/p>\n
Warwick coach Chris Christensen wanted to tell his starters their effort wasn\u2019t good enough. What better way than to remove everyone from the game?<\/p>\n
Jahkai Dixon, Connor Meck, Ryan Rusnock, Drew Musser and Gavin Sturgis walked onto the floor less than five minutes into the first quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were just trying to get a spark,\u201d Christensen said. \u201cIt\u2019s one thing not to have your legs or not be making shots. It\u2019s another to not be doing the things that don\u2019t necessarily take ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warwick overcame Lancaster Catholic 58-52 in the MyJersey Designs Holiday Tournament at Lititz Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Two of those reserves, Dixon and Meck, played a key role in the outcome.<\/p>\n
Meck drilled his first shot, a 3-pointer, on his way to 10 points. Dixon was a floor leader for stretches and scored seven points.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody brought energy,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cYou never know when you\u2019re gonna get in, so you\u2019ve just gotta stay ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warwick will take on Dallastown in the boys basketball championship game Tuesday at 8 p.m. Dallastown defeated Penn Manor 59-47 in the first game Saturday.<\/p>\n
These 32 minutes were agonizing for Warwick in the way that only a near-upset can feel. Catholic led by eight points in the first half and was tied at 50 with 2:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
There were moments, like when Brody Clausen scored seven points in 54 seconds to make it 16-15, when it felt as if Warwick was about to seize control. The Warriors never did.<\/p>\n
Give the Crusaders credit. Despite going through a coaching change when Joe Klazas stepped down and was replaced by assistant Cole Portz on Dec. 15, Catholic (2-7) put a scare into an opponent that hopes to contend for the Lancaster-Lebanon League title.<\/p>\n
If Rowan DeMarco\u2019s layup with 62 seconds left didn\u2019t somehow rim out, Catholic would\u2019ve been even heading into the final minute.<\/p>\n
No one in purple and gold could understand how DeMarco\u2019s shot didn\u2019t fall. It seemed to touch every inch of metal and no net.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were just talking about that in the locker room,\u201d Catholic senior Tyler Humphrey said. \u201cIt would\u2019ve been a completely different situation if that went in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warwick always seems to have players like Dixon and Meck filling out the roster. Seniors who have been part of successful teams and are willing to accept any role that leads to more wins. Two years ago, the names were Mason Burr and Cody Ryan.<\/p>\n
The thread that binds the seasons together is unselfishness. The Warriors want to continue their recent tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a bunch of great players on this team,\u201d Meck said. \u201cI understand that maybe not every night is gonna be my night. But you\u2019ve got to be ready every night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sound familiar? That\u2019s basically what Dixon said.<\/p>\n
In the fourth quarter, when the reality of a potential stunning loss was inching closer, Warwick\u2019s starters reasserted themselves.<\/p>\n
Ya\u2019Majesty Washington scored eight of his 15 points and Austin Clemens added six of his 14 over the final 4:30. That was enough for the Warriors to escape.<\/p>\n
If not for the major minutes logged by Dixon and Meck, maybe they wouldn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to go out there and be a sparkplug,\u201d Meck said. \u201cJust gotta try to flip the script. Obviously, the game\u2019s not going the right way if our starters need to come off the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warwick (6-3) has battled through some adversity early in the season. The Warriors dropped their first two league games with Washington out of the lineup.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why the outlook in Lititz seems a bit gloomier than the team\u2019s overall record might indicate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not our standard here,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cOur standard is to be at the top of the section. That\u2019s what we\u2019re about. That\u2019s what we need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
All of Warwick\u2019s preseason goals remain within reach. It can qualify for the L-L playoffs and still chase down Conestoga Valley for first place in Section Two.<\/p>\n
Losses to Manheim Township, CV and Solanco have made the first month feel uneven. But 6-3 isn\u2019t a bad place to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome nights we look unreal,\u201d Christensen said. \u201cSome nights, like tonight, I don\u2019t think we were great. I still think we\u2019re figuring some things out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warwick figured one thing out against Catholic: It helps to have some seniors in reserve.<\/p>\n
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