Manchester Needs 2 OTs To Beat Tippecanoe ValleyAKRON — Going into Friday night’s game on Rita Price-Simpson Court at Tippecanoe Valley, the hosts have won four of their last five games. However, their opponent has had their number for some time.
Manchester arrived Friday night with a five-game win streak against Valley, dating back to the 2014-15 season.
After numerous lead changes and ties throughout, it would take 40 minutes in all but the Squires would pull away from the Vikings late 71-66 in double overtime in Three Rivers Conference play.
It was the fourth overtime game for Manchester this season — and the first that they had come out the victors.
“This old man does not have a real strong heart, so it’s kind of hard,” said Manchester boys head basketball coach Mark Underwood. “To come in and get the double-overtime win just shows that these guys are getting better and getting where they need to be.
“They are learning how to finish and that is going to be huge come tournament time.”
Weston Hamby led the Squires (8-7 overall, 3-2 TRC) with 22 points — 14 of which would come from the fourth quarter and the two overtime periods. Three other Squires were in double-figures, as senior forward Thane Creager and junior guard/forward Max Carter each finished with 13 points. Senior forward/center Kreeden Krull chipped in with 11 points.
For Valley (6-9 overall, 2-4 TRC), three made it to double-figures as well. Freshman Nolan Cumberland led the Vikes with 21 points, while sophomore Dawson Perkins finished with 14 points and senior Tanner Trippiedi posting 13 points.
Tippecanoe Valley head coach Chad Patrick was not available for comment following the conclusion of the game.
The first three acts of Friday night’s contest paved the way for the theatrics.
It was a tight battle from the start, as Manchester and Valley were tied at the end of the first quarter. The Vikings were up as many as five before half, but a pair of three-point baskets from junior guard Carter Bedke gave the Squires the lead at the half.
Manchester led by as much as six in the third quarter, but Valley would end the quarter with a 10-0 run and led 41-37 after three periods.
There being a lot of back-and-forth and trading baskets and turnovers, Manchester would outscore Valley 34-25 in the final 16 minutes of action.
Underwood praised his team for their overall defensive effort.
“I really want to compliment Max Carter on the job that he did on [Paul] Leasure,” said Underwood.
Leasure was held to just one point in the contest.
“(Leasure) is such a nice player and he does not look like a freshman on film. Trippiedi got the hot hand later, so we switched Carter onto him,” said Underwood.
Both teams are back in action tonight against non-conference opponents. Valley will head west to face Winamac for a 7:45 p.m. start. Manchester returns home to face Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran with a 7:30 p.m. start.
Manchester is the only Class 2A team on FW Concordia’s schedule, and Underwood is well aware of what caliber the Cadets can play at.
“They are just an awesome team,” said Underwood. “They play mostly 4A schools, and it will be a great challenge for us.”
MANCHESTER 71,
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 66, 2OT
MA 9 12 16 15 9 10 -- 71
TV 9 11 21 11 9 5 -- 66
Manchester: Wes Hamby 22, Thane Creager 13, Max Carter 13, Kreeden Krull 11, Carter Bedke 6, Austin Underwood 4, Caleb Stout 2
Valley: Nolan Cumberland 21, Dawson Perkins 14, Tanner Trippiedi 13, Brayden Shepherd 7, Rex Kirchenstein 5, DJ Estep 5, Paul Leasure 1
