Hendrix's Last-Second Three Powers Squires Over Jimmies
March 22, 2025 at 3:20 p.m.
Looking to win the first semi-state in school history, the Manchester boys basketball team got off to the right start on Saturday afternoon, defeating Jimtown 56-55. The Squires led for a majority of the game before the Jimmies stole the lead late, but it was a three pointer by Ethan Hendrix in the final 10 seconds of the game that iced it for good.
Once both offenses got going, it was a sight to behold in the first quarter, as both trams went back and forth trading buckets in the opening minutes. To the surprise of no one, it was Gavin Betten who had the hot hand early for the Squires, as the big man scored eight of the team’s first 10 points.
Thanks to Betten, Manchester remained in front for a majority of the first quarter. Each time the Jimmies were able to make a shot, he would go down on the other end and answer it. With less than a minute to go in the opening eight, Jimtown took its first lead of the day, but it was quickly erased by a Wyatt Prater three that gave the game its 13-11 scoreline after one.
The Jimmies remained hot from deep to begin the second quarter, hitting two more triples in the first 90 seconds. They wouldn’t stop there, continuing to play well on offense and opening up a six-point lead three minutes into the period.
The Squires made sure it didn’t get any larger than that, at least momentarily. Four straight points by the visitors on the scoreboard made it a one-possession game once again. After a timeout, a three by Hendrix put his team back in front.
That wouldn’t be the last lead change of the quarter, as both trams found success in the final minutes. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the two-point lead that the Squires entered the period with remained, as they led 27-25.
Manchester got off to a lightning fast start in the third, growing its lead to seven, the largest of the game for either team thus far. Betten was at the center of the action yet again. If the senior wasn’t scoring the ball, he was setting up his teammates with open looks by garnering so much attention from the defense.
Manchester senior Ethan Hendrix goes to the basket against the Jimtown defense during the first quarter...NieterThe Squire defense also looked much improved coming out of the locker room, holding the Jimmies to just one free throw and no field goals through the first four minutes of the third. Manchester was everywhere on that end, switching and preventing the open looks that Jimtown took advantage of in the first half.
Eventually, the Jimmies were able to get back on track offensively, cutting the deficit down to four with three minutes left in the third. While Betten continued to be the story offensively, he wasn’t getting the support he usually does. Even still, he was doing his part keeping Manchester on top.
After a few minutes of the game hanging in the balance, a big corner three by Hendrix gave the Squires a bit of separation with 90 seconds to go in the period. The lead grew to as many as nine before Jimtown’s leading scorer Branden King made a pull up three in the final minute to make it a 45-39 game going into the fourth.
Momentum continued to shift relentlessly as the final quarter got going. There were multiple points early on where it looked as if the Jimmies were going to make a push and make it a one-possession game, but each time, the Squires were able to come up with a timely bucket.
With a little under five minutes left in the game, Jimtown made its move. They were quickly able to erase a seven-point deficit, and with four minutes to go in the game, tied things up. Manchester had now gone two minutes without a bucket and the Jimmies were taking full advantage. With three minutes left in the game, Jimtown had taken its first lead of the second half.
Hendrix split a pair of free throws with 2:21 left to make it a one-point game while setting up an exciting finish. It wouldn’t be until 1:34 was left on the clock before the Squires got the ball back, now trailing by three. The best the team could muster up was a contested shot inside by Tallon Torpy, which rimmed out. With their backs against the wall, the Squires forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, getting the ball to midcourt with 51 seconds left before calling timeout to talk things over.
They’d go to Torpy inside once more, and this time, he’d convert, bringing his team to within one with 30 seconds left. A foul on the other end resulted in a split pair of free throws to make it a two-point game.
Down by two and with time running out, Manchester took its time on what was the most critical possession of the game. With less than 10 seconds left, Hendrix let a three fly from the wing and buried it with eight seconds left to miraculously put the Squires back on top.
Needing to get one more stop to put the game on ice, they got it. A last second heave by the Jimmies wasn’t enough and the Squires were headed to the final four.
Manchester will take on Gary 21st Century in the championship game Saturday night.
Looking to win the first semi-state in school history, the Manchester boys basketball team got off to the right start on Saturday afternoon, defeating Jimtown 56-55. The Squires led for a majority of the game before the Jimmies stole the lead late, but it was a three pointer by Ethan Hendrix in the final 10 seconds of the game that iced it for good.
Once both offenses got going, it was a sight to behold in the first quarter, as both trams went back and forth trading buckets in the opening minutes. To the surprise of no one, it was Gavin Betten who had the hot hand early for the Squires, as the big man scored eight of the team’s first 10 points.
Thanks to Betten, Manchester remained in front for a majority of the first quarter. Each time the Jimmies were able to make a shot, he would go down on the other end and answer it. With less than a minute to go in the opening eight, Jimtown took its first lead of the day, but it was quickly erased by a Wyatt Prater three that gave the game its 13-11 scoreline after one.
The Jimmies remained hot from deep to begin the second quarter, hitting two more triples in the first 90 seconds. They wouldn’t stop there, continuing to play well on offense and opening up a six-point lead three minutes into the period.
The Squires made sure it didn’t get any larger than that, at least momentarily. Four straight points by the visitors on the scoreboard made it a one-possession game once again. After a timeout, a three by Hendrix put his team back in front.
That wouldn’t be the last lead change of the quarter, as both trams found success in the final minutes. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the two-point lead that the Squires entered the period with remained, as they led 27-25.
Manchester got off to a lightning fast start in the third, growing its lead to seven, the largest of the game for either team thus far. Betten was at the center of the action yet again. If the senior wasn’t scoring the ball, he was setting up his teammates with open looks by garnering so much attention from the defense.
Manchester senior Ethan Hendrix goes to the basket against the Jimtown defense during the first quarter...NieterThe Squire defense also looked much improved coming out of the locker room, holding the Jimmies to just one free throw and no field goals through the first four minutes of the third. Manchester was everywhere on that end, switching and preventing the open looks that Jimtown took advantage of in the first half.
Eventually, the Jimmies were able to get back on track offensively, cutting the deficit down to four with three minutes left in the third. While Betten continued to be the story offensively, he wasn’t getting the support he usually does. Even still, he was doing his part keeping Manchester on top.
After a few minutes of the game hanging in the balance, a big corner three by Hendrix gave the Squires a bit of separation with 90 seconds to go in the period. The lead grew to as many as nine before Jimtown’s leading scorer Branden King made a pull up three in the final minute to make it a 45-39 game going into the fourth.
Momentum continued to shift relentlessly as the final quarter got going. There were multiple points early on where it looked as if the Jimmies were going to make a push and make it a one-possession game, but each time, the Squires were able to come up with a timely bucket.
With a little under five minutes left in the game, Jimtown made its move. They were quickly able to erase a seven-point deficit, and with four minutes to go in the game, tied things up. Manchester had now gone two minutes without a bucket and the Jimmies were taking full advantage. With three minutes left in the game, Jimtown had taken its first lead of the second half.
Hendrix split a pair of free throws with 2:21 left to make it a one-point game while setting up an exciting finish. It wouldn’t be until 1:34 was left on the clock before the Squires got the ball back, now trailing by three. The best the team could muster up was a contested shot inside by Tallon Torpy, which rimmed out. With their backs against the wall, the Squires forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, getting the ball to midcourt with 51 seconds left before calling timeout to talk things over.
They’d go to Torpy inside once more, and this time, he’d convert, bringing his team to within one with 30 seconds left. A foul on the other end resulted in a split pair of free throws to make it a two-point game.
Down by two and with time running out, Manchester took its time on what was the most critical possession of the game. With less than 10 seconds left, Hendrix let a three fly from the wing and buried it with eight seconds left to miraculously put the Squires back on top.
Needing to get one more stop to put the game on ice, they got it. A last second heave by the Jimmies wasn’t enough and the Squires were headed to the final four.
Manchester will take on Gary 21st Century in the championship game Saturday night.