The Manhattan High girls basketball team once again found a way to scrap and claw back into a game where Hayden controlled the pace most of the ball game. The Indians and Wildcats were tight through the first three quarters of play, but MHS found themselves down six with two and a half minutes to go in the game.
Key defensive stops and big baskets down the stretch by Amara Ehie and Darby Price gave MHS an opportunity to win the ball game. With the game tied at 49 with under 30 seconds left, Hayden had the basketball but the Indians forced a turnover to give the Tribe a chance to win the game at the end of regulation. MHS had a shot go off the front of the rim and there to grab an offensive rebound was Savannah Roberts and she was fouled going up on the put back attempt. Roberts canned both free throws to give MHS a 51-49 lead and a desperation shot at the end was not good for Hayden.
MHS was led by Amara Ehie with 16 points off the bench for a season high. Darby Price finished with 13 points and Savannah Roberts finished with 12 points. The Tribe girls improve to 6-1 overall and a spotless 4-0 record inside the Centennial League.
The Manhattan High boys basketball team was coming off their first loss of the season last Friday night against Shawnee Heights. The Hayden boys were coming off their first win last Friday night against Topeka West.
The Hayden pressure bothered MHS early and both teams struggled on the offensive end early with a score of 9-7 Hayden at the end of the first quarter. The Indians trailed 28-21 at the half but came out with some fire in the third quarter and eventually taking a one point lead into the fourth quarter. Hayden turned up the defensive pressure and forced MHS into some tough shots in the fourth quarter and Hayden hit key baskets down the stretch to hang on for the 54-46 victory over the Indians.
Manhattan was paced by Payton Stephens with 13 points, Alex Stitt had 10 points while Gabe Awbrey finished with nine points. It is the second straight loss for the boys basketball team as they drop to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Centennial League play.
MHS basketball back at it on Friday night on the road against Junction City. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:45 p.m. on Newsradio 1350 KMAN.
