Senators outrun Greyhounds

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Derrick Parker

PDT Sports Contributor

WEST PORTSMOUTH- The score was 53-47. There was 2:30 to go in the fourth quarter, with the West Senators leading the Manchester Greyhounds. Drew Howard was on fire for West hitting seven three point buckets, but Manchester’s Kaulen Cox had hit three treys himself in the quarter.

Drew Howard was fouled on a shot attempt, and managed to hit one of two. The Greyhounds sprinted down the court off the inbounds pass and swished a quick three pointer off the hands of Jaime Combs. Jordan Frazier answered right back for the Senators, hitting a short mid-range shot for two putting the west lead at 56-50.

Manchester had the ball. This time they slowed it down, attempting to face the zone defense of the Senators that had given them trouble most of the night. Patiently they ran their offense until they found Kaulen Cox in the corner for yet another three point shot, the lead was just three at 56-53.

West turned the ball over on their ensuing possession with just a minute left in regulation. Cox took another three point shot, this time that would tie the game, but came up just short. Manchester would foul LT Maynard, who missed twice at the line keeping the game within reach for the Greyhounds. With one more opportunity Manchester set up their offense with just seconds left. They tried to find Cox on the corner, but he was well defended by the Senators. In desperation Sean Frost took a wild three point shot that bounced off the backboard. After a pair of free throws from Buster Boggs the game was wrapped up with a final score of 58-53.

The game featured West’s Drew Howard who led all scorers with a career high 30 points. Buster Boggs was perfect from the line going eight for eight on the night. For Manchester Kaulen Cox had five three pointers for 15 points and Colton Thornburg led in scoring with 16. Throughout the night Manchester struggled to find a consistent offense to overcome the Senators zone defense.

“It was a really good game tonight,” exclaimed Senator Head Coach Scott Davis. “We tried some new things tonight and they seemed to work out pretty well for us. I think the way that we shifted in our zone tonight really affected the outcome of the game.”

“Drew had a huge night, a career night with seven threes and you just can’t ask for anything else. He was in the zone tonight and I’ve always said when he gets in the zone give him the ball. Buster Boggs was reliable from the line for us tonight, he cemented the win there at the end. He came through in the clutch. They had a player who was on fire from three in the fourth, it was getting a bit ugly and I was getting nervous. But he came through. It was a good win for the program.”

West hosts the defending SOC champion Minford Falcons Friday night. Game time is at 7:30 P.M.

Minford alumni Kyle Pertuset is the Head Coach of the Manchester Greyhounds. After the tough loss he praised Cox for his fourth quarter performance but insisted that his team must play better defense going forward. Manchester travels to Mowrystown to face off against the Whiteoak Wildcats next Tuesday. Tip off is at 7:30.

Reach Derrick Parker at [email protected] or on twitter @DC__Parker

Box Score

Manchester 15 8 11 19 53

West 18 12 15 13 58

Individual Stats:

Manchester — Thornburg 16, Cox 15, Combs 8, Young 6, Frost 5, Aldridge 3

West — Howard 30, Boggs 8, Frazier 8, Finley 5, Maynard 4, Patrick 3

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