West Branch’s Hendershott caps off high school basketball career with solid all-star performance

HOWLAND -- West Branch senior Jaxon Hendershott had a big day on Wednesday.

His day began by signing his national letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Westminster College and finished with an all-star performance at the Frank Bubba Classic at Howland High School.

Hendershott earned the game's MVP honors by going 9-of-11 from the field, all of which came from 3-point range. He finished with 27 points.

"I have no clue," Hendershott said. "I've never played in this gym, but it just felt comfortable. I just let it fly."

All in a day's work for the all-time leading 3-point shooter at West Branch. After a successful football season, Hendershott finished his senior year on the court helping lead the Warriors to a 19-6 season in the gauntlet Eastern Buckeye Conference.

While the playoff run wasn't what they had hoped, losing to league rival Canton South in the second round, the Warriors battled throughout the year and the senior left the program with no regrets.

"At West Branch we had a pretty good year," Hendershott said. "We had another historic season for us, with at least 18 wins for the third consecutive year, which I don't think has ever happened in West Branch history. Sadly, we lost in the second round of playoffs, but throughout the year, we went through a lot of adversity playing tough games, but we stuck through it and it was a fun year."

With these all-star games comes the potential to join up with other players you might not typically see. Springfield wasn't on West Branch's schedule this year, but Hendershott got a chance to play with future teammate Alex Rothwell on Wednesday.

"Oh this is probably one of the best parts (of the season)," Hendershott said. "I know parents probably think it looks a little boring and stuff, but as players down there, it feels just really good to play against some of the best people in the area and just have fun with them."

The future Titan is joining former West Branch teammate Reese Leone. Hendershott passed Leone's all-time 3-point record this past season.

While getting to play with those guys is a big draw, there's another reason the all-district honorable mention was drawn to Lawrence County, Pa.

"I'm extremely excited to play at Westminster," Hendershott said. "Some of these guys I played with, like Alex Rothwell, we're about to be teammates. I'm just excited. They've got great food. I'm a big food guy. I love that. I'm excited to play for coach (Kevin) Siroki and play with my old teammate Reese."

Before that next step however, Hendershott is set to represent West Branch one last time on the track and field team as a sprinter and long jumper.

"West Branch has been very good to me," he said. "The community, the fans, coaches, players, past players. Coach (Mike) Brown is probably my favorite coach. He's done so much for that program. Coming in as a young guy, leading us to our first EBC outright championship in his first year and doing it again in his second year. Sadly, we did fall short this year, but it was an amazing season. West Branch is just an amazing place to play."

byauger@tribtoday.com