Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester High School's varsity girls basketball team opened its season with a 64-63 Friday home loss to Bluffton.
The Squires led nearly the whole game, only to fall behind in the final minute.
With 12 seconds to go, Bluffton tied the game. A loose ball foul was called on Manchester's Jennifer Jester, her fifth foul, sending Janett Robles to the free throw line. Robles hit one to put Bluffton up 64-63. Manchester got a shot off in the final seconds, but it rimmed out.
Manchester led 49-41 after three quarters, but Bluffton outscored the Squires 23-14 in the fourth.
"We played well in the first half, but early foul troubles hurt us," Manchester coach Keri Nichols said. "That's what killed us in the second half. We had three starters foul out."
Ann Harms, Carrie White and Jester fouled out.
Bluffton's Abby Mowery led all scorers with 24 points despite making just 2 of 8 free throws. Manchester junior Jessica Hicks paced the Squires with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Bluffton is 1-0.
Manchester, 0-1, is at Concordia Tuesday.
BLUFFTON 64, MANCHESTER 63
Bluffton (1-0) -ÊAbby Mowery 11 2-8 24, Mariah Lefforge 2 2-6 6, Janett Robles 5 4-6 15, Jaymie Garrett 6 0-0 12, Laura Sills 2 1-2 5, Stephanie Harris 1 0-0 2. Totals -Ê27 9-22 64.
Manchester (0-1) -ÊChristy Markstahler 2 0-0 4, Heather Terflinger 7 0-2 14, Jennifer Jester 5 1-2 15, Erin White 1 0-1 2, Ann Harms 3 0-1 6, Carrie White 2 0-0 4, Jessica Hicks 7 3-6 18. Totals -Ê27 4-12 63.
Bluffton 8 16 17 23 - 64
Manchester 16 18 15 14 - 63
Three-point goals - Manchester 5 (Jester 4, Hicks). Rebounds -ÊManchester 27 (Hicks 9, Jester 6), Bluffton N/A. Assists -ÊManchester 14 (Hicks 5, Terflinger 5), Bluffton N/A. Steals -ÊManchester 14 (Hicks 5), Bluffton N/A. Turnovers -ÊManchester 18, Bluffton N/A. Fouled out -ÊJester, Harms, C. White. Total fouls - Manchester 23, Bluffton 14.
