On Monday night, Manual’s boys’ JV basketball team defeated the Pleasure Ridge Park Panthers, 53-51, in an epic last minute of the game.
To start out the game, PRP was able to gain possession of the ball first after the tip-off. However, Manual’s defense was quick to defend, eventually stealing the ball. William Thompson (#30, 10) then attempted a lay-up and missed, but was fouled in the process. He made both free throws, marking the first points of the game scored for Manual and of the game.
PRP, however, was quick to follow, shooting a three-pointer. Thompson then got the ball once again and attempted a lay-up. This time, he made it, getting fouled in the process. He also made his one and only free throw before PRP sunk yet another three-pointer. PRP then rebounded the ball after a Manual miss, adding another two points to their score. Though a foul was committed by the Manual defense, PRP could not make their free throws.
Jeremiah Stephens (#21,10) then got the ball and made a lay-up. PRP was quick to shoot the ball for another lay-up. Manual’s offense shot a successful three-pointer after this. Once PRP got the ball back, however, they ran back down the court, shooting another lay-up and getting fouled in the process. Despite this, they did not make their free throws, giving Manual and Jesiah Flippins (#5, 9) the ball back, where he sunk a three-pointer.
Despite this, PRP scored back-to-back buckets. With only 1:30 left in the first quarter, PRP led Manual 17-13. PRP increased their lead with more two-pointers and lay-ups. By the end of the first quarter, the Panthers led the Crimsons, 24-13.
To start the second quarter, PRP headed to the free-throw line, making both free throws and scoring consecutive lay-ups. Stephens was able to shoot the ball through the basket, marking the first points scored in the second quarter for the Crimsons.
A timeout was called a few seconds later by Manual, giving the Crimsons some time to reset. This was the case as Dario Harper (#1,9) sank a three-pointer almost immediately, Stephens scored a lay-up off of a steal and Thompson shot another three-pointer. A timeout was then called by the Panthers after Manual went on a 7-0 run. The score was now 27-23, with PRP in the lead and only a minute and a half left in the first half.
Following the timeout, Thompson was then fouled while making a lay-up, making the free-throw. PRP, however, made a two-pointer and followed with another lay-up before the half ended.
At halftime, PRP led Manual 33-26.
To start the second half, Thompson passed the ball to Stephens for a swift lay-up, marking the first points scored. Manual was then fouled by PRP, making only one free-throw. Afterwards, Flippins executed a one-handed lay-up. Following this, Stephens shot a lay-up. At this point, the score was now tied, 33-33, with PRP calling a timeout.
After the timeout, Manual stole the ball from the Panthers, shooting a three-pointer. However, PRP shot a three-pointer of their own. Manual then got the ball back, where Harper was able to score off of a lay-up. PRP scored back-to-back layups, though. With only seconds remaining in the third quarter, Manual attempted to shoot a three-pointer, but it was unsuccessful.
At this point, the score was 41-38 with PRP in the lead, heading into the fourth quarter.
To start the final quarter, PRP made a lay-up. Manual followed this with a lay-up of their own made by Malachi Towns (#2, 10). Towns was then fouled, but missed both of his free throws. PRP then scored another lay-up. After the ball was passed back and forth multiple times due to fast-paced tempos by both teams, and multiple steals, Manual finally was able to score a lay-up.
At this point, the score was 45-42, with PRP still in the lead. Despite Manual applying defensive pressure, PRP still made a lay-up after they rebounded the ball. Thompson was then fouled attempting to score, and made both free throws.
A timeout was then called with 1:49 remaining and the score at 47-44, with PRP still in the lead. PRP made another lay-up coming out of the timeout. Jalen Outten (#25,9) was then fouled, making one of his free throws. After this, Flippins shot a lay-up, getting fouled in the process and making his free-throw.
At this point, the score was now tied, 48-48, with 55 seconds remaining. A timeout was called as a result. PRP then made a lay-up, and a free throw off of a Manual foul, prompting a timeout called by the Crimsons.
With only seconds remaining, the Crimsons pass the ball back in play to Thompson, who sinks a three-pointer to tie the game. PRP then got fouled, but as they were attempting to throw the ball back in, Manual stole the ball and Harper made a lay-up, putting Manual in the lead for the first time in the game and promptly ending the game with less than one second to go.
The Crimsons won with a final score of 53-51. Their next game will be on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. against Central.
