Trailing 34-29 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Manhattan High boys basketball team rallied for a 45-44 victory over Hayden on Tuesday night to win their first Centennial League of the season. Jacob Holloway rained in a key three-pointer to give the Indians the lead at 40-38. It was team effort though for Manhattan in the final frame as Payton Stephens made a pair of crucial buckets, Alex Stitt knocked down a jumper along with two key free throws, and Darrian Taylor came up with a key steal. Chris Hudgins hit one of two free throws with 5.9 seconds to make it 45-41 Indians before the Wildcats hit a inconsequential three-pointer at the buzzer. Holloway and Stitt scored 10 points each for Manhattan High (4-3, 1-2). Tanner Triggs had 13 points for Hayden (3-2, 2-2).
Just one field goal was made in a crucial fourth quarter, but it was enough as the Hayden girls held off Manhattan 29-22 thanks to six of seven shooting from the free throw line in the last eight minutes. The Wildcats did cough up a 10-point first half lead, as the Tribe rallied to tie the game going into the fourth quarter. But, MHS would miss all seven shots in the frame including six errant three-point attempts. Hayden’s Sarah Pimentel made the Wildcats’ sixth and final attempt from the field in the fourth to put her team up 23-22 with 2:30 to go. The makes at the charity stripe finished off an 8-0 Hayden (4-1, 4-0) run to close the game. The Wildcats were led in scoring by freshman Jordan Lenherr with eight points. MHS (6-1, 2-1) was topped by Darby Price’s seven points.
Manhattan High basketball will host rival Junction City on Friday night at 6:00pm. Coverage begins on SportsRadio 1350 KMAN at 5:45.
