"Two minutes to go in a game, what do you want to do? I'm hoping it pays dividends down the line and we can win close games because we know how to finish."
Using a newly implemented offensive system, Great Valley (6-4) rode a balanced second-half attack to pull away from the Warriors (1-8) in the nonleague game.
The team orchestrated its offense with a flurry of off-ball screens and slashing cuts that created space for guard play.
Venarchik said the new system has been a process and at times "a struggle, but we're sticking to it." He said it began to click only two games ago.
"It's more team-oriented. It's not just one person trying to score all the points," senior guard Kelly Sugalski said.
"We're looking for each other, pass first, set a screen, and then get an open shot."
Junior guard Kim Hooven came alive in the second half by scoring all 10 of her points after halftime. She shared game scoring honors with teammate Kelsey Walsh.
Her bank shot from the top of the key with 2 minutes, 22 seconds left turned back a brief Henderson rally.
On the first possession of the fourth quarter, sophomore guard Danielle DiSanto drained a three-pointer and sent the Patriots on a 12-5 run that closed the game.
"I was just open and I shot it," DiSanto said. "I was a little iffy about it at first, but when it went in, I felt good."
The Henderson offense couldn't create a rhythm, twice getting within five points before fading.
Venarchik said the plan was to focus on junior forward Emily Torrance and force someone else to beat them.
With flashes, Torrance was able to break free of double teams and finish with a team-high nine points. She was joined on the low post by versatile junior forward Didi Twyman.
But Twyman picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter, allowing Great Valley to focus more on Torrance.
With the win, Great Valley now turns to its league schedule. Nine of its final 10 games will be in the Ches-Mont League.
Great Valley 1071015-42
W.C. Henderson 4895-26
GV: Karen Davison 1, Danielle DiSanto 7, Kim Hooven 10, Kelly Sugalski 5, Danielle Strang 9, Kelsey Walsh 10.
WCH: Raena Anderson 4, Katie Stec 2, Emily Torrance 9, Didi Twyman 5, Janelle Wade 6.
Contact Matt Breen at rallysports@phillynews.com.
