NORTH MANCHESTER – On the heels of their first winning season in more than a decade, the Manchester Squires are hungry for even more success. In his first three seasons at the helm of the program, coach Eric Thompson led the Squires through a turnaround process, going from four wins to seven wins to last year’s 16-6 record. Given last season’s success, and the addition of 6-foot-7 senior Chainey Zolman, who transferred in after scoring 12 points per game at Tippecanoe Valley, there is a lot of excitement in the community. “It could be a very exciting year for us,” said Thompson. “We’ve got a group of boys that believe in each other and the coaches and what we’re doing. It’s been a fun couple of weeks so far.” The Squires open the season Wednesday at Mississinewa, and then travel to Oak Hill Saturday. Manchester opens its home schedule Dec. 5 against Wawasee. The Squires’ varsity roster, which had to be changed this week after sophomore Nate Walpole transferred back to Whitko, lists nine varsity players. Seniors on the team include Branden Scott, Cameron Brandenburg and Zolman. The junior class is represented by Chase Fierstos, Braydon Sewell, Bailey Ness and Keelan Norwood. Rounding out the roster are sophomore David McAtee and freshman Koehl Fluke. Walpole, who scored 264 points last season as a freshman on Whitko’s varsity team, appeared in Manchester’s team photo on media day. Whitko coach Roger Fleetwood, however, confirmed that Walpole was in class at Whitko Monday. Thompson, in a phone interview Monday evening, didn’t want to discuss it. The Squires have two returning starters in Fierstos and Sewell. “They’ve both done a great job as leaders,” said Thompson. Expected to join them in the starting lineup are McAtee and Zolman, while the fifth spot is up for grabs between three or four kids, according to Thompson. Looking to continue the program’s successful turnaround, Thompson has a player in Zolman that can help the Squires get to the next level. Zolman has the height and length of a post player, and the shooting touch of a guard. He shot 45 percent from the field overall last year for Valley and made 37 percent of his three-point attempts and 75 percent of his free throw attempts. “Chainey is a special player,” said Thompson. “He can play anywhere on the court he wants to. We hope to utilize his strengths. He’s a great kid and a great basketball player. He makes us a whole lot better. We’re happy to have not only him at our school, but also to have his family in our community.” The Squires were 6-1 in the Three Rivers Conference last season, losing only to Valley. This season’s clash between the Squires and Vikings is scheduled for Jan. 30 in North Manchester and will bring with it plenty of storylines. “A lot of people will be interested in that game,” said Thompson. “I went to Valley. I know what the rivalry means. I worked for Coach (Bill) Patrick at Valley. Chainey moving here just adds to it.”
