The Manhattan high girls basketball team was in a dog fight from start to finish in the third place game at the 6A state tournament in Wichita Saturday afternoon.
MHS and Olathe South has had some history over the last couple of seasons. Last year the Falcons defeated the Indians in the Mid America Classic in McPherson in the championship game. Olathe South also knocked MHS out of the state tournament in the quarterfinals back in 2012.
Manhattan built a two point lead at halftime 25-23. However in the second half, Kylee Kopatich and Bailey Rinehart turned up their games for Olathe South as they finish to combine for 32 points in the game as Olathe South held on the beat MHS 56-53. Manhattan shot 33% from the floor in the first half and shot 61% in the second half but it wasn’t enough.
The Tribe says goodbye to three seniors, Darby Price, Par McNair and Erika Hairgrove. A solid core nucleus of players will be returning for MHS next season. The Indians close the season with a 22-3 record with an undefeated Centennial league title and a fourth place finish in the 6A state tournament.
