By JUSTIN BURKHARDT
TopSports.news
Hayden's boys basketball team extended its winning streak to three games Tuesday night at the Bueltel Activity Center, taking a 68-53 Centennial League decision over Manhattan.
Connor Hanika led all scorers with 22 points in Hayden's 68-53 Centennial League win over Manhattan Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Manhattan came out strong, scoring the first seven points of the game, before Hayden junior Mason Becker finally got the Wildcats on the board with a jumper.
But the Indians answered with an and-one finish to take a 10-4 lead. That’s when Hayden found its rhythm.
Senior Connor Hanika poured in eight straight points to tie the game, and the teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the first quarter as Manhattan held a narrow 18-17 advantage at the end of one.
Hayden fed Hanika early in the second quarter and he scored the opening basket to give the Wildcats the lead in a period that featured seven lead changes.
After Manhattan briefly regained the edge, Hanika attacked the rim, drew a foul, and knocked down both free throws to make it 21-20 Wildcats.
The Indians answered again, but junior Carter Compton connected on one of his three 3-pointers on the night to give Hayden a 24-22 lead.
With the game tied 24-24, the gym fell silent as Hanika drove to the basket and was fouled hard, suffering a cut above his eye that forced him out of the game.
Kade Mitchell hit the ensuing free throw and Hayden needed others to step up. They did just that.
Jace Wolff scored five straight points to give the Wildcats a 30-26 advantage. Everett Tourtillott followed with seven consecutive points of his own, helping Hayden surge to a 39-29 halftime lead after outscoring Manhattan 22-11 in the second quarter.
Hayden coach Dwayne Anthony praised his team’s response without its leading scorer on the floor.
“Very big, very big,'' Anthony said. "We have a next-man-up mentality, you know? And I'm just glad they answered that call. As much as we need and appreciate Connor, there's going to be some times where he has to be not in the game for whatever reasons.
"We don't expect any slippage. We expect our guys to come up and do what they did tonight. Proud of them.”
Anthony also highlighted Wolff and Tourtillott’s contributions.
“If you've been watching them, they've been showing that's what they do -- that they're ready to provide real good minutes -- and they did,'' Anthony said. "They've been playing solid and listening. I'm very proud of them.
"Very big, not only for them, but for the program.”
Hanika returned in the third quarter with a bandage above his eye, and Hayden wasted no time extending the lead. Compton drilled a 3-pointer, Hanika attacked the rim, and the Wildcats began to pull away.
Compton added another basket, followed by another from Hanika to make it 46-34.
Becker and Compton then hit back-to-back 3-pointers as Hayden stretched the lead to 54-36.
The Wildcats carried a 54-40 advantage into the fourth quarter while Manhattan struggled to find offense.
The Indians attempted to rally in the final period, but each basket was answered by Hayden as the Wildcats secured the 15-point victory.
Hanika led all scorers with 22 points.
“The guys are getting comfortable and trusting the plans and the things that we draw up,” Anthony said. “They're getting comfortable, relaxing, starting to realize their potential, and starting to believe that they can compete and do some things.
"That's why I believe you're seeing a change in some of the outcomes of these games.”
Hayden now turns its attention to a major Centennial League rivalry matchup Friday night at home against Washburn Rural on Senior Night.
“These guys are embracing a selfless approach to the game, which has been really nice,'' Anthony said. "It's about the team, not the individual. If we stay with those things, I think we'll have a good chance of doing well.”
HAYDEN 68, MANHATTAN 53
Manhattan 18 11 11 13 -- 53
Hayden 17 22 15 14 -- 68
Manhattan (13-6, 5-2) -- S. Newton 7-10 3-7 17, Carpenter 4-12 2-2 12, Doering 3-9 0-0 7, Washington 1-2 1-2 3, Witt 0-0 0-0 0, Hattrop 3-4 1-1 7, A. Newton 1-2 2-2 4, Braxmeyer 1-4 0-0 3, Pfeifley 0-1 0-0 0, Duff 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 20-44 9-16 53.
Hayden (11-9, 4-4) -- Hanika 8-10 6-7 22, Compton 6-14 0-0 15, Becker 4-7 0-0 10, Mitchell 1-6 1-3 3, Kidd 1-4 0-0 2, Wolff 4-8 0-0 9, E. Tourtillott 3-5 0-2 7. Totals 27-54 7-12 68.
3-point goals -- Manhattan 4 (Carpenter 2, Doering, Braxmeyer), Hayden 7 (Compton 3, Becker 2, Tourtillott, Wolff). Total fouls Manhattan 14, Hayden 16, Fouled out -- none. Technical foul -- Mitchell.
