Plymouth Whitemarsh boys race past Hatboro-Horsham
Because he goes into whirlwind mode at times, Ish Horn has to be told at times to change gears and slow it down.
Because he goes into whirlwind mode at times, Ish Horn has to be told at times to change gears and slow it down.
"He wants to go out there, go full tilt, and see what happens," Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio said. "But more and more, he's realizing what we want from him. He listens incredibly well, and he's humble."
Horn delivered 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists as the visiting Colonials easily downed Hatboro-Horsham, 59-45, Friday night in a Suburban One League American Conference matchup.
A transfer from Martin Luther King, of Philadelphia's Public League, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound junior has been a sixth-man spark plug.
"My uncle lives out this way. I play AAU ball with a lot of the guys here, and the team gets a lot of student support," Horn said. "So I said to myself, 'Why not make the move?' "
Horn crammed eight of his 12 points into the fourth quarter. Overall, he shot 4 for 5 from the field and the same from the line. Three of his four boards came on offense.
"I just want to do whatever is going to help us win," the 17-year-old said. "It's not an individual thing. This is a family."
Overcoming 19 turnovers, including 11 in the first half, the defending PIAA District 1 Class 4A champs improved to 16-2 overall and 11-0 in the conference.
PW junior guard Ahmin Williams shot 6 for 8 from the line en route to 10 points, made seven steals, dished five assists, and grabbed three rebounds.
In the first half, when the Colonials built a 28-16 advantage, his twin brother, Ahmad, provided 11 of his 13 points. He added three steals, two assists, and two boards.
"The twins are so tenacious," Horn said. "If you slow down one of them, the other one steps up and burns you."
Midway through the third quarter, senior wing guard Matt Walker's right-wing three-pointer, his third of the night, upped the lead to 37-21.
H-H's Clifton Moore, a 6-9 senior and Indiana recruit, managed nine points and eight rebounds before fouling out with just less than six minutes remaining.
"We ran at him and tried make him uncomfortable," Donofrio said.
PW's big man, 7-foot sophomore Naheem McLeod, chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, five blocks, and a steal.
Said Donofrio: "He's coming along well. He's starting to believe he can make a move in the post and convert."
Senior guard Jay Davis led the Hatters (10-8, 7-5) with 14 points. The hosts, on the bubble when it comes to qualifying for the district playoffs, were hurt by 20 turnovers.
Ply. Whitemarsh 16 12 15 16 - 59
Hatboro-Horsham 7 8 17 13 - 45
PW: Ahmad Williams 13, Ahmin Williams 10, Naheem McLeod 9, Matt Walker 9, Cheo Houston 2, Ish Horn 12, Kareem Breeden 4.
HH: Brandon Crews 1, Chris Edwards 4, Clifton Moore 9, Jay Davis 14, Ryan Black 5, Khalid Johnson 11, Erick Dixon 1.
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