Takeaways from Manhattan’s win at Emporia
With some other contests snowed out, the headline game of the area was Manhattan at Emporia. The Indians hit the road in hopes of a bounce back from their loss to Washburn Rural. They got the win 62-55 to stay…
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Continue ReadingWith some other contests snowed out, the headline game of the area was Manhattan at Emporia. The Indians hit the road in hopes of a bounce back from their loss to Washburn Rural. They got the win 62-55 to stay atop the Centennial League standings. Here are a few takeaways:
1) The game would have been very different if Emporia’s Charles Snyder had played:
The 6-foot-4 junior was held out due to illness. Snyder’s 23.4 points per game were badly missed. He went for 33 in his last outing against Topeka High.
2) A couple of other Spartans stepped up admirably:
Emporia probably couldn’t have expected to get 18 points from 5-foot-11 senior Beau Baumgardner, but his effort went a long ways to fill in the hole left by Snyder’s absence. Fellow senior Skyler Douglas is usually a pretty reliable producer, and he stepped up with 21 points to lead Emporia.
3) Manhattan continued its balanced offense:
As is so typical, the Indians had four players score in double figures: Chandler Weixelman with 16, Owen Braxmeyer with 12, Raeshon Riddick with 11, and Chandler Marks with 10.
4) The Spartans showed fight:
The Indians jumped out to a 15-point lead early as Emporia adjusted to Snyder’s absence. But they fought back to within 2 in the third quarter, and kept it close the rest of the way. Perhaps the Spartans will benefit from developing some other options to support Snyder.
5) There is still plenty of time for Manhattan:
The league title is still within their reach. Washburn Rural’s loss to Topeka High keeps them in a tie with the Indians, which will hold for another 10 days or so. Manhattan will play three non-league games as everyone plays in their winter tournaments. The Indians will get a rematch with Washburn Rural on Feb. 18.