A 25 point fourth quarter pushed the Manhattan High girls past Washburn Rural 57-51 for their first win over the Lady Blues since the 2012 substate final.
Caroline Ballard came alive in the second half with 24 of her 26 in the third and fourth quarters to lead the way. It was much needed with leading scorer Darby Price battling foul trouble most of the game.
The Tribe trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half before rallying to battle back in the fourth quarter.
The Manhattan High boys won their first four games by an average of 22 points a game, and it was almost that easy again in a 55-40 win over Washburn Rural.
The Indians trailed most of the first quarter, but Alex Stitt’s three pointer at the buzzer gave the Tribe a 13-10 lead that they would never give up.
Stitt finished with 14 to tie for the scoring lead with Pierson McAtee. Payton Stephens was also in double figures with 11, 9 of which came in the second half.
This was the Indians first game without starting forward Winston Dimel who is now out for the season after having shoulder surgery. Forward Brett Fehr also didn’t play with an ankle injury.
MHS will host their first doubleheader of 2014 on Friday night against Shawnee Heights at 6:00pm. Pregame gets underway at 5:45 on NewsRadio 1350 KMAN with John Kurtz and Brandon Tadtman.
