The Manhattan High basketball teams were in a tough environment on Friday night at Hayden High school where Centennial League title implications were on the line in both the girls’ and boys’ games.
The Manhattan High girls (14-4, 8-3) led after one quarter 11-5, but after that it was all Hayden. MHS was outscored 25-9 in the second quarter as the Wildcats (12-5, 7-4) took a 30-20 lead at the half and they would hold on for the 58-52 win.
Gigi McAtee and Amara Ehie led MHS with 12 points each in the defeat. It’s just the second loss in the last 11 games for the Lady Indians. The MHS girls are in a four way tie for the top spot in the Centennial League with Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Seaman.
The Manhattan boys played in a back and forth game all night against the Wildcats. The Tribe led 11-5 after one but trailed 27-21 at the half after Hayden (12-6, 8-3) outscored MHS 22-11 in the second quarter. The Tribe trailed 38-33 going into the fourth quarter and the Indians would outscore the Wildcats 23-16 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Robbie Ostermann gave MHS the lead with under two minutes to play knocking down a three ball from straight away to give the Tribe a 51-50 lead. MHS (16-2, 10-1) would knock down clutch free throws near the end to hold on for the win.
Pierson McAtee led the way with 20 points. The Indians still control the top spot in the Centennial league with just two games left on the schedule. Manhattan is on the road at Junction City on Tuesday night.
