BUNKER HILL – The Manchester girls basketball team opened its Three?Rivers Conference schedule with a 49-16 rout Saturday at Maconaquah.
“I thought our defensive effort from the opening tip to the end of the game was at a high level,” said Manchester coach Jacob Everett. “We locked in on the defensive side of the ball, which allowed us to push the tempo and be successful on the offensive side.”
Manchester jumped out to a 16-4 lead by the end of the first quarter, and led 27-6 by halftime.
The Lady Squires cruised to victory in the second half.?The most points they allowed in a quarter was seven, in the fourth.
Kennedy Fierstos did a little of everything for the Lady?Squires, recording 15 points, five steals, two blocks, two rebounds and one assist.
Eva Bazzoni added 11 points and three rebounds for?Manchester (3-1, 1-0 TRC), while Kiera Hatfield had nine points, five rebounds and three steals.
Kennidy?Lauer also was a factor, scoring five points and grabbing five rebounds.
“We shared the ball very well between all of our players, and took the open shots when they were available,” Everett said. “I am proud of the way we have started this season.”
The Lady Squires won 36-27 in the JV game.
Mackenzie Day led Manchester with 11 points, three steals and three blocks, while Morgan Parrett tallied five points and six rebounds, Ranissa Shambarger registered five points and three assists, and Emma Garriott and Bailey Mooney recorded five steals each.
Manchester will host Mississinewa Tuesday with a 6 p.m. JV?start.
Lady Wildcats Earn First Win Of?Season
SOUTH?WHITLEY?– The?Whitko girls basketball team was sharp from the free throw line for a 43-31 home win Tuesday over Churubusco.
“(I’m) so very proud of the way the girls played tonight,” said Whitko coach?Rick?Bragg. “We took it on the chin pretty hard Tuesday and Friday with losses to Central Noble and Columbia City, yet came out and played with some determination tonight. The kids refused to lose.”
The game was tied at 25 heading into the fourth quarter. That’s when Whitko went 14 of 16 from the stripe to seal the victory.
Emalee Duggins led all Whitko scorers with 17 points, while Ellie Snep posted a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Whitko’s Kayla Schipper added eight points, while Lilly Owsley had two and Gus Garr sank a free throw.
The loss?bumped Churubusco to 0-2.
Bragg commended Whitko’s fan section with a strong showing at Saturday’s game, and said he hopes the fans continue their support.
The?Lady?Wildcats (1-3) will open their Three Rivers Conference schedule in a home game Tuesday at 7 p.m. against?Peru.
