On Friday night, Manual’s varsity boys’ basketball team matched up with Shawnee High School for the annual winter homecoming game. The Crimsons controlled the matchup from the start, defeating the Eagles 80-49.
Before the game began, the homecoming prince, princess, king and queen were announced. The winners were decided by a student body-wide vote. Charlie Rose (11, HSU) and Iris Apple (11, J&C) won prince and princess. Anthony Northington (12, HSU) and Electra Lovely Tolbert (12, HSU) were elected king and queen.
“I’m just happy I can represent my lacrosse team. It means a lot… I’ve wanted to do this since I was a freshman,” Rose said.
First Half:
The game got off to a slow start, but the Crimsons were on the board first with an offensive rebound and putback by Ahmad Shelton (#11, 11). He quickly followed these points up with another layup.
The Crimsons were aggressive on defense to begin the game, as Deshawn McGee (#23, 11), stole the ball from the Eagles before they could score their first points.
Noah Smith (#2, 12) hit back to back three-point shots in the first quarter, bringing Manual up to 14 points. However, the Eagles matched his three-point shooting, hitting two of their own and making the score 14-6 with three minutes left in the first quarter. The first quarter ended with the Crimsons on top 24-8.
“I thought I played pretty good, pretty unselfish, shot the ball pretty well, felt like I hustled around the court,” Smith said.
Throughout the game, but particularly in the second quarter, Shawnee committed many offensive fouls on Manual. McGee was fouled on a shot near the start of the quarter and made both free throws, and Decker went 1-for-2 after another defensive foul. When a travel was called on Shawnee at the seven minute mark, the Crimsons were up 27-9.
Shawnee remained aggressive throughout the first half, getting many defensive rebounds, but went into halftime down 15-point deficit, with Manual leading 39-24.
Second Half:
The Crimsons and Eagles traded blows to start the second half. Shawnee hit a three-pointer, but then fouled Malachi Coleman (#3, 12), resulting in an and one play. However, Manual soon began to pick up speed, getting defensive rebounds which led to made shots, and causing multiple Shawnee turnovers. By the four minute mark of the third quarter, the score was 51-31, with the Crimsons’ lead increasing to 20 points.
The lead only continued to grow as Smith hit three point shots and Coleman scored more and one plays. With 6:40 left to play, the Crimsons were up 66-37 and their starters were removed from the game.
With Manual’s starters out, Shawnee was able to score on some fast-break layups, but the lead remained fully intact. Malachi Towns (#10, 10) scored on free throws and CJ Hall (#33, 10) hit a three-pointer. When the clock hit zero, the Crimsons were on top, defeating the Shawnee Eagles by a final score of 80-49.
“[W]e’re going to go into the next one and play with more effort…definitely rebounding and defensively,” Smith said.
The Crimsons’ next matchup will take place next Tuesday, Feb. 18, when they face the Butler Bears in an away game.
