Manhattan High came up just short of their first Mid America Classic title in a 51-48 loss to Olathe South in the championship game Saturday night.
The Indians fell behind by as many as nine points in the second quarter but came storming back to go ahead 38-36 heading into the fourth quarter. The third quarter was capped off by a buzzer beater from Par McNair to give Manhattan the lead. The lead changed hands four times in the second half before Olathe South took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter and held off MHS for their second straight Mid America Classic championship.
Olathe South’s Kylee Kopatich led all scorers with 31 points a night after scoring 26 against McPherson in the semifinals. Three Indians were in double figures led by Caroline Ballard who had 13 points and 7 rebounds. Ballard led Manhattan in scoring in all three games of the tournament. Darby Price had 12 points and 8 rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team after leading the Mid America Classic in rebounding. Kristen Thompson chipped in with 10 points as well.
The MHS girls are off until Friday when Topeka High comes to Manhattan. The MHS boys are at Washburn Rural on Tuesday.
