MICHIGAN CITY -It was grueling, it was physical. At times, it was downright exhausting. But after perhaps the toughest 36 minutes the team had ever played, the Manchester Squires were able to topple Gary 21st Century 53-50 in Saturday’s semi-state title game at Michigan City to advance to the first state finals in program history.
“It’s awesome. To have our whole community here to support us and how loud they were throughout that whole game, oh my God that was awesome,” Manchester head coach Eli Henson said after the game. “It’s everything you dream of as a coach, it’s everything you dream of from a players standpoint. For them to play so well in this moment and with no nerves, taking control of both games the way they did, I’m just so proud of them.”

    Senior Gavin Betten moves in for a shot while working under the basket...Nieter
For the Squires, it was the two usual suspects, seniors Gavin Betten and Ethan Hendrix, that led the way offensively. Betten led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Hendrix added 16. He scored perhaps the most important points of the game late, going to the line in the final minute and hitting clutch free throw after clutch free throw to keep his team on top.
“Free throws are free, you shouldn’t miss them., Those four points were huge but I went to the line thinking they were no different than any other free throw I’ve shot all season,” Hendrix said.
Gary scored the first two points of the game, but after seven straight points by Betten, the Squires took a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. The first player to score for Manchester outside of Betten was Kaleb Kline, who finished the night with eight and hit two big triples over the course of the game.

    Senior Kaleb Kline gets his defender in the air before going up for a shot in the first quarter...Nieter

Early on, it looked as if the Squires were going to have a big night, up 12-4 and forcing an early timeout, but following the break, Gary began implementing an extremely physical, and effective, full-court press. 21st Century would use it every chance it had for the remainder of the game, and it flustered Manchester throughout the contest. The Cougars were able to force plenty of turnovers that turned into points, and ended up chipping away and making it a two-point game after a quarter.
“It was a team effort to be able to break that press and I think we did a really good job for the most part,” Betten said. “Ethan was amazing at handling the ball, he always is.”
The back-and-forth continued into the second quarter, as the Squires were able to extend their lead to as many as seven, before Gary came right back and brought it back down to two. That ebb and flow continued all night long, with Manchester unable to ever fully put away an incredibly talented Cougar team.
“They’re such a good team. I knew no matter how much we were up, it wasn’t over,” Henson said. “Their pressure got to us. They were a little handsy with us, but you’re not going to call that in the semi-state.”
Betten and Hendrix continued to lead the way as the second half got started, remaining aggressive and keeping their team on top. For both players, starting varsity for four years and playing with each other far beyond that, the biggest moments of their careers thus far were handled with poise.

    Senior Ethan Hendrix gets well above the defense before releasing his shot during the third quarter...Nieter

“We’ve learned from our past years. I’m so appreciative of Coach Henson, giving me the opportunity to lead this team for the fast four years,” Betten said. “It’s been amazing. I’m so proud of my guys and the way we played tonight.”
Hendrix agreed with the big man’s sentiment.
“I started my freshman year on JV, so I had to grind and after six practices I was starting on varsity,” he said. “Coach Henson has believed in me the whole time, he knew our class was special. For him to take a chance on a 5’6” freshman, that takes some guts.”
After three quarters, the Squires’ lead was the largest it had been all night: 10 points. But things were still far from over.
Two minutes into the fourth, neither team had scored and fatigue was starting to set in for the Squires. After one particularly tough defensive possession, Betten was slow to get to the other side of the court with what appeared to be a cramp. He’d stay in the game.

    Senior Wyatt Prater cuts off his portion of the net during the post-game celebration...Nieter

Within a minute, 21st Century was able to turn a pair of turnovers into a pair of baskets, shrinking the lead by four and tightening things up significantly. With five minutes left in the game, Manchester still had not scored in the period.
With less than three minutes to go in the contest, that fact had not changed, but Gary also had not done any chipping away at the lead. The Squires looked to be laboring offensively, just trying to survive until the final whistle. It looked as if the team was playing hot potato, trying to pass the ball around with nobody wanting to shoot. With 80 seconds left in the game, Betten finally put the Squires on the board with a turnaround in the post, but the Cougars quickly answered with a triple. With 1:09 to go, the lead had been cut to three.

    Manchester head coach Eli Henson draws up a play as the game nears an end...Nieter

“Henson told everybody to throw the ball down low, and I was happy to get the opportunity to get a bucket,” Betten said.
With 48 seconds to go, the entire complexity of the game almost changed. Betten grabbed a big offensive rebound and was fouled, but in the process, Hendrix was called for a technical foul. Perplexed, Henson almost picked one up himself, but was calmed down by the players on his bench.
“Those kids have never gotten a technical foul in their lives. I can’t believe they called that with 48 seconds left,” Henson said. “I’m glad my players had my back because my mind was going crazy in the moment.”
Betten split a pair at the line, Gary’s Terrence Hayes did the same and the end result was a four-point game.
A chaotic stretch in the final minute saw the Cougars cut the lead in half with a layup, then force a turnover to have the chance to tie. They couldn’t convert, the rebound went to Torpy, who passed it ahead to Hendrix. He was fouled with 15 seconds left, made both free throws and it was a four-point lead again.

    Senior Tallon Torpy gets plenty of elevation for a clear shot over the 21st Century defense...Nieter

Gary continued to show fight, rushing down the court and hitting a three with six seconds left to put the pressure back on the Squires. Torpy was able to navigate the sidelines and connected with Hendrix, who was fouled immediately. He calmly sank both of them and was able to make it a three-point game yet again.
Up three and with four fouls to give, the Squires elected to foul twice in the waning seconds, resulting in just two being left on the clock. The last second heave by the Cougars was no good, and for the first time in school history, Manchester was going to state.
“I love making history. This feels amazing right now,” Hendrix said, holding the semi-state trophy.
The Squires defeated Jimtown 56-55 in the first game on Saturday. Hendrix came up big in that one as well, hitting a three pointer with eight seconds left to put Manchester on top for good after Jimtown stole the lead late.
Manchester (25-2) will take on University (20-9) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next Saturday with the state championship on the line. Tipoff is expected around 12:45 p.m.