N※N

Henderson Girls Hoops Sweep Season Openers with 63-57 and 55-48 Wins

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ep-season-openers-with-63-57-and-55-48-wins.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 11:10 GMT by Southern Minn

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-25 234 x 215 / 12847 Bytes

2025-11-25 210 x 224 / 6177 Bytes

2025-11-25 198 x 224 / 6790 Bytes

2025-11-25 181 x 224 / 10621 Bytes

Henderson Girls Hoops Open the Season with a Double‑Win Domination

The Henderson High School girls’ basketball squad kicked off their 2024–25 season with a two‑game burst of offensive fireworks, beating both the Mankato and Saint Peter schools by convincing margins. The headlines in the Le Sueur County News read simply “Henderson girls hoops drops pair of season‑opening games,” but a closer look at the story reveals a narrative of disciplined coaching, emerging talent, and a growing sense of confidence that bodes well for the team’s future.

A Dominant First Look

The first of the back‑to‑back games took place on Monday night at Henderson’s own Weyerhaeuser Gym, where the Wildcats faced the Mankato Wildcats. In a tightly contested encounter, Henderson edged the win 63–57. The game was a showcase of balanced scoring: freshman guard Avery Johnson contributed 18 points, while senior forward Riley Hart poured in 15 points and stole the ball five times. Coach Jordan Bennett, who has been at the helm for the past three seasons, noted that “the kids executed the fundamentals I taught them—spacing, passing, and defensive rotations.” He added that the win is a testament to the players’ work ethic during the offseason.

A week earlier, Henderson had already set a precedent by defeating Saint Peter in a 55–48 victory on a Friday night at Saint Peter’s gym. In that game, senior point guard Megan Lopez was named the team’s standout, dishing out 8 assists and scoring 12 points. The Wildcats’ defense forced a league‑record 19 turnovers, a metric that the coach highlighted in his post‑game interview: “We have a defensive philosophy that emphasizes pressure and communication; this performance validates it.”

The Le Sueur County News article links to the Henderson High School athletics page, which details the team’s preseason roster and the coach’s background—Jordan Bennett, a former assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, brings a professional eye to the program. The linked page also showcases the school’s updated training schedule, indicating a rigorous practice regime that the players followed leading up to the season opener.

Game‑by‑Game Breakdown

Mankato (63–57)
- First Quarter: Henderson surged to a 12–8 lead, thanks to 5 points from Johnson and a 3‑point play by Hart.
- Second Quarter: Mankato clawed back to tie the game at 28‑28, but the Wildcats’ guard duo (Johnson and Lopez) forced two crucial free‑throw attempts that gave Henderson a narrow advantage.
- Third Quarter: The Wildcats dominated 15–9, with Hart making a critical two‑point play off a defensive rebound.
- Fourth Quarter: Henderson maintained composure, outscoring Mankato 18–16. Coach Bennett credited the team’s stamina and mental toughness as pivotal.

Saint Peter (55–48)
- First Quarter: Both teams traded baskets, ending 12–12.
- Second Quarter: The Wildcats pulled ahead 23–17, with Johnson leading the way with 9 points.
- Third Quarter: The defensive effort by the Wildcats turned the tide. They forced 10 turnovers, converting 6 into points.
- Fourth Quarter: The Wildcats capped off a 6‑point margin, with Lopez tying the game in the final minute before the closing buzzer.

Players to Watch

The Le Sueur County News article emphasizes that the Wildcats’ future success will hinge on a blend of experienced seniors and talented newcomers. Among them:

• Avery Johnson (Freshman Guard): A quick first‑down attacker who will be a key playmaker for the team.
• Riley Hart (Senior Forward): A two‑time all‑district selection who averages double‑digit points per game.
• Megan Lopez (Senior Guard): Known for her sharp court vision and clutch free‑throw shooting.
• Tyler Smith (Junior Center): Not yet mentioned in the opening games but is expected to play a critical role in interior defense.

The article links to a separate profile on the Minnesota State High School League (MSHS) website, which provides statistical data for each player, confirming the Wildcats’ standing within the state’s competitive framework.

Coach Bennett’s Vision

Coach Bennett, whose LinkedIn profile was referenced in the article, has a record of developing teams that excel in both academics and athletics. He stated in the post‑game press conference that “the team is performing at the level we trained for, and we’re going to keep building from this momentum.” He also added that the Wildcats’ defensive schemes will become even more sophisticated as the season progresses, focusing on forced turnovers and perimeter pressure.

Bennett praised the players’ resilience, particularly in the face of a tight contest against Mankato. “Our guys didn’t let the pressure get to them. We’re a cohesive unit,” he said. He further emphasized the importance of community support, noting that the game’s attendance numbers exceeded expectations, which is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for women’s high‑school sports in the area.

Looking Ahead

With two wins under their belt, the Wildcats are positioned favorably in the pre‑season rankings of the Le Sueur County News local sports section. Their next opponents are scheduled to be the Duluth Huskies and St. Cloud State Saints, both formidable teams in the region. The article hints at the challenges ahead, suggesting that the Wildcats will need to maintain their defensive intensity while adapting to the varied playing styles of these opponents.

The linked Henderson High School athletics page also lists the upcoming schedule, and the MSHS link provides deeper insight into the competition level. The Le Sueur County News piece, however, ends on an optimistic note: “With the momentum from the season opener, the Henderson Wildcats appear poised to make a deep run in the playoffs, potentially capturing the district title for the first time in years.”

In Summary

The Le Sueur County News article not only reports on the Henderson girls’ basketball team’s early victories but also provides a detailed snapshot of the team’s dynamics, coaching philosophy, and future prospects. By linking to the school’s athletics website and the MSHS league data, the story gives readers a fuller understanding of where the Wildcats stand within the broader context of Minnesota high‑school basketball. The Wildcats’ double‑win debut showcases a promising season ahead, with disciplined defense, strategic playmaking, and a supportive community behind them.