Wabash Wins Rematch With Manchester In TRC PlayWABASH — It was not too long ago, Dec. 28 to be exact, that Manchester and Wabash, two in-county rivals faced off. It was lopsided, with the Apaches rolling past the Squires 80-45 in the Wabash County Tournament.
Things have changed for Manchester, as they are 3-1 since that last meeting. Wabash is on a run of their own, winning their last six games.
Friday night’s matchup was much closer, but the result would be the same.
Trenton Daughtry scored 14 of his 18 points in the first quarter as the Apaches held off a feisty Manchester team 46-40 at Coolman Gymnasium at Wabash High School.
“We were not expecting an 80-45 game. We know how good [Manchester] is and how tough their schedule is,” said Wabash boys head basketball coach Paul Wright. “They are better than their record shows.”
In the victory for Wabash (8-2 overall, 4-0 TRC) Jared Holley scored 11 points and Joseph Leland chipped in with 10.
For Manchester (6-7 overall, 1-2 TRC), Kreeden Krull led the way with 15 points, and Wes Hamby finished with 13 points.
“We have made a lot of changes tonight from things we have done in the past,” said Manchester head boys basketball coach Mark Underwood. “I thought a lot of those things were pretty effective and we hope to build on those things as we move forward during the season.”
The Squires’ defense was able to hold their own throughout the game. Prior to Friday night’s game, the Apaches had averaged 63.4 points per game.
“I like where our defense is right now,” said Underwood. “[Wabash] has a great defensive team too; we did not come close to our average, but I liked the fight in our guys. I liked the fact that they never gave up and played with a lot of heart and trust in each other.”
They may be disappointed now, but Underwood and his players look to move forward and improve from each game they play.
“I know they did not come here just to get close or to make it a better game than last time,” said Underwood. “There is a good chance that we will see them again on our floor in the sectionals. We will take it one game at a time.”
Wabash takes their seven-game win streak to Gas City this Tuesday when they face a 10-2 Mississinewa team.
“They are going to be the most athletic team we will face so far,” said Wright.
Manchester looks to get back on the right track when they head to Rochester next Friday night.
“That is going to be another big conference game, and that is never an easy place to play,” said Underwood.
In the junior varsity game, Manchester took a 38-25 decision over Wabash. IN the C-team game, the Squires won 39-27 over the Apaches.
