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DENVER - At this point in the season, two teams like Manchester (9-2) and North Miami (5-5) are focusing on three words: do or die. On Friday night, those three words were easily recognized in both teams on the court when the Squires came from behind to defeat North Miami 55-51.
"There's not much to say about it," North Miami coach Bill Torgerson said. "We played excellent in the first half and were just out-fought in the second."
Manchester, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A, got 22 of its 55 points from center Chris Enyeart, plus 11 rebounds. Rex Reimer also contributed on the night with 12 points, including a three in the first half.
In the first half, the Warriors got off to a quick start when Kenny Hanson sank two three-pointers and went 3 of 4 on the line. With 30 seconds left in the second quarter, North Miami's Nick Cain took advantage of a Squire turnover and found Jake Riley on a fast break to make the score 25-22 at the half in favor of the Warriors.
"I wasn't concerned about how we played in the first half," Manchester's coach Gary Goshert said after the game, "We didn't drop behind by more than six points to North Miami throughout the whole game."
The second half ended with an exchange of turnovers and fouls.
Enyeart fouled out early in the fourth quarter. North Miami began to fall behind by accumulating seven fouls in the fourth. Squire Scot Croner was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws, putting Manchester ahead 53-51. With five seconds left, Manchester's Michael Hendrix was fouled and made both free throws, making the final score 55-51.
With the win, the Squires got their 10th victory of the year.
"North Miami gave us a run for our money," Goshert said.
Manchester improves its record to 10-2 and 5-0 in the Three Rivers Conference, while North Miami falls below .500 at 5-6 and 2-2 in the TRC.
