The Manhattan High girls basketball team never trailed in their dominant 62-29 victory at Emporia (2-12) last Friday, where the Indians won their fifth out of the last six games, climbing to 10-4.
“We have so much fun when we play together, and so when we get out and we get rolling, really nothing can stop us, and we always have our foot on the gas,” junior guard Kat Ball said.
A quarter into the game, MHS already led 21-4, the Spartans never found their footing.
Ball and senior Isabelle Peabody shined on offense, ending with 14 and 12 points respectively. Manhattan made 15 of 22 free throws.
The Indians played tight defense and finished with 26 steals, Ball accounted for nine of them.
Ball not only starts on the basketball team, but also led the MHS girls golf team to a State Championship this fall, finishing in second place individually, and she also plays softball for the Tribe during the spring.
“I think sports really can shape someone, their personality allows them to experience things that you never experience in a day-to-day life,” Ball said. “Like the pressure and being able to work with teammates.”
Manhattan took second in the Mid-American Classic to finish January with double-digit wins against both Wichita SE and McPherson. However, MHS lost at the hands of Olathe South 25-56 in the tournament championship on Feb. 1.
“We knew it would be a challenge, and we ended up falling short,” Peabody said. “Obviously, would have loved to take first place, but I’m really proud of our team for making it to the championship.”
MHS beat Topeka High 60-54 at home on Feb. 5, which was Coach Scott Mall’s 500th career win.
“When he got that milestone, it was a great celebratory moment to kind of like, give back to him in the way,” Ball said. “And show him how much respect we have for him and how he’s really helped us as human beings grow.”
Having a packed week of games can take a toll on most teams, but not for the Indians.
“We are always scrimmaging, so having a lot of games close together doesn’t really bother us,” Peabody said.
The tribe traveled to Topeka Tuesday to play league rival Washburn Rural (10-4), the matchup deciding the leader of the Centenial League.
“I think we just as long as we come out and work hard and it should be a good game,” Peabody said. And I’m really excited.”
