Manhattan High girls’ basketball capped a strong showing at the Mid America Classic with a 63-51 loss to Olathe South in the championship game Saturday evening at the Roundhouse.
After two dominant wins earlier in the tournament, the Indians ran into a difference-maker in the title game. Olathe South was powered by star center Eve Long, the nation’s No. 8 overall recruit, who followed up her record-setting semifinal with another standout performance.
Olathe South set the early tone with an 18-11 first quarter, but Manhattan responded in the second, tightening the game with a 13-7 edge in the frame to pull within 25-24 at halftime. The Indians stayed within striking distance through the opening two quarters, despite cold shooting from the perimeter.
Long proved to be the difference over the final 16 minutes. The Falcons leaned on their inside presence in the second half, as Long finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, controlling the paint and drawing fouls throughout the night.
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