The 2023-24 version of the Manchester boys basketball team has gotten used to two things this season: winning and winning big. The Squires were able to accomplish both of those things once again on Tuesday night, as the team dismantled Bluffton in a 76-37 victory at home, its eighth in a row.
Manchester began the game with overwhelming pressure, using a 2-3 zone to harass and trap Bluffton ball handlers all over the court. It worked to perfection, with the Squires coming away with nine steals in the first quarter while only allowing two points.
Offensively, the Squires moved the ball well, with plenty of players getting a chance to get on the scoreboard early. Leading the charge as usual was center Gavin Betten, who used his 6’6” size to be everywhere for his team. Whether it was posting up and getting a tough two in the paint or coming away with a steal and running the floor, there was nothing the junior didn’t do as his team jumped out to a 14-point lead after the first quarter on a buzzer-beating floater by Carter Wagoner.. Betten scored nine in the opening period.
The second quarter featured more of the same as Manchester continued to pull away from the visitors. While the Tigers were able to find a bit more offensive rhythm in the second set of eight minutes, it paled in comparison to what the home team was able to accomplish. Shots were falling from all over the court, including a spurt that saw the Squires hit three three-pointers in less than a minute.
Betten would total just two points in the second, handing over the scoring duties to Tallon Torpy and Tyler McLain. Torpy would hit a pair of threes in the second to give him eighr points in the half, while McLain would score all seven of his first-half points in the final three minutes of the half. As a team, Manchester made seven shots from behind the line in the first half, including two more from Gavin Martin.

    Junior Ethan Hendrix of Manchester struggles to get his shot off during the first quarter while being fouled by Bluffton's Andrew Hunt. Photo by Gary Nieter

The offensive onslaught was enough to give the Squires a 32-point advantage heading into halftime. The team still had more steals (12) than points allowed (11).
The first possession of the second half would initiate the running clock for the rest of the game, as Martin hit his third three of the night to make it a 35-point difference. Manchester didn’t stop there, as a Betten dunk and three for Ethan Hendrix quickly made it a 40-point affair. After a relatively quiet second quarter, Betten came alive once again in the third, scoring seven points.
Martin and Hendrix would join the big man in double figures in the final minutes of the third, with Martin hitting his first two-pointer of the night to reach the mark while Hendrix drained his third triple. With the running clock in full effect, the period did not last long, and resulted in the Squires lead being extended to 43.
The fourth quarter began with the Manchester bench being emptied. Reserves would play the remainder of the game for the home team and they did not miss a beat, with Wyatt Prater and Kaleb Kline each hitting big shots to keep the scoring going. Kline would find a groove after his first make, hitting two more on the following two possessions to give him a quick nine points.
Bluffton would take advantage of a more relaxed defense to chip away at the lead in the final minutes, but each time they did so, Manchester would answer with another made shot of their own.
Betten led the team in three categories: points (18), rebounds (five) and steals (five). Hendrix and Kline each scored 12 points, Martin added eleven, while Torpy scored eight.
Manchester (16-2) is on the road Friday night for a Three Rivers Conference matchup with Peru. The Squires are a perfect 6-0 in conference play this year.