After an early season loss to league rival Tusky Valley, the Lady Panther cagers have rebounded quite nicely as they have ran off 10 consecutive victories including a pair of wins in PAC-7 action the past week.
The two victories keeps Manchester tied for the top spot in the loop with Tusky Valley with three league games left. The Panthers remaining slate includes visits to Fairless, and Triway, and a home date with Indian Valley, while the Trojans will host Timken, CVCA and Tuslaw.
"We feel like we're in great position to win the league for the sixth straight year," said Head Coach Tucker Pappas. "With CVCA out of way now we are very confident we can take care of business. We are starting two sophomores, and two juniors so the task will be staying mentally sharp and not overlooking anybody."
"We are definitely playing our best basketball of the season, and are starting to settle on a set rotation. We have had six different starting line-ups and have had four different kids lead us in scoring. Our depth as been a real blessing."
Manchester, who has won 71 of their last 75 league contests, opened its week with a hard-fought 64-48 triumph over host Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy last Saturday.
The final score wasn't a true indicator of how close the game really was as the Panthers had to overcome a 31-26 halftime deficit to gain the "W." The black and red outscored the host 37-16 after the intermission.
"We were finally able to take control of the game in the third quarter," stated Pappas. "Our offense started clicking in the fourth when we were able to get some good shots, and finish.
"They (CVCA) were a good test for us. It's a pretty tough environment to play in."
Junior Morgan Vanscoy led the winners with 22 points, and three assists. She was four-of-six from downtown range.
Senior Amber Silver registered another double-double with 11 points, and 11 rebounds, while junior Brooke Tabaka had 10 points, three steals, and three assists, and sophomore Michelle Noble added seven points, and six steals.
Manchester shot 45 percent from the field (19 of 42), and 51 percent from the line (21 of 41). They out-rebounded the Royals 38-24.
Four days later, the Lady Panthers continued their torrid pace with a 63-38 triumph over visiting Canton Timken.
The Panthers came out of the gates slow as they trailed 5-0 in the early going, and 11-9 after one quarter, but used a 22-9 bulge in the second period to take control of the game. Manchester was able to double the count 62-31 midway thru the final stanza.
The 63-point outburst was Manchester's sixth straight game of scoring 60 points or more. They are averaging 67 points in that span, while limiting their opponents to 45.
"We came out as flat as you can be, and weren't ready to play," said Pappas. " We shot better and made some good decisions in the third quarter, but overall we were disappointed in our effort. We need to play for the entire 32 minutes."
Nine different players reached the scoring column for the black and red led by Tabaka with 14 points. She was backed up by Vanscoy with 11, and Silver with eight.
Senior Kayla Matheny was tops in the rebounding department with nine, while Autumn Brown had six caroms. Noble finished with five steals, and three assists.
Manchester (13-1, 10-1) made 24 of 54 field goal attempts (44 percent), and 14 of 21 charity tosses (67 percent), while holding Timken (8-6, 6-5) to just 26 percent shooting from the floor (16 of 61), and 25 percent from the line (1 of 4).
The Lady Panthers will return to the hardwood on Monday hosting Canton Central Catholic. They will also visit Fairless on Wednesday.
New Franklin, Ohio —
