Wildcats fall to Manchester

Playing on the road Friday night in a Southern Hills Athletic Conference showdown, the Whiteoak Wildcats were outscored in the final three quarters by just 14 total points, which led to a 10-point loss to the host Manchester Greyhounds, 58-48. 

The SHAC contest saw the Wildcats outscore the Greyhounds by four points in the first quarter at 18-14, but Manchester came back to take the lead in the second frame with 15 points, while WHS had nine points. 

Manchester led 29-27 at halftime, and then they outscored the Wildcats 11-9 in the third quarter and 18-12 in the fourth to gain the SHAC win over WHS. 

The Wildcats’ leading scorer for the game was Christopher Wessner with 16 points. Wessner finished the game with six two-point baskets, one 3-pointer, and he was 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. Wessner also had two rebounds and a steal. 

Sawyer Blair totaled 11 points for WHS, as his scoring totals included four two-point field goals and one 3-pointer. He also ended the game with eight rebounds, one steal and one block. 

Also with 11 points for the game was Brady Brandenburg, who made five two-point shots and was 1-of-3 from the free-throw line. He also had three rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

Carson Hart ended with five points with two made baskets, and he went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. Hart added six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

WHS also had five points (one two-pointer, 3-of-4 FT line) from Jason Gaskins, who also collected five rebounds, one assist and one block. 

Team totals for Whiteoak were 18 two-point baskets, two 3-pointers, and he was 6-of-11 from the free-throw line. The Wildcats also had 26 rebounds (10 offensive), six assists, five steals and two blocks with 11 turnovers. 

For the Greyhounds, Parker Hayslip led with 34 points (four 3-pointers, 10 two-point baskets, 2-2 FT line), while Braylon Rickett had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Team totals for the Greyhounds included 19 two-pointers, five 3-pointers (Hayslip 4, Joel Blythe 1), and they were 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. MHS also had 32 rebounds, 20 assists, six steals, two blocks and 10 turnovers. 

Whiteoak now has an overall record of 5-5 with a 2-4 mark in Division II of the SHAC. Manchester improves to 6-7 overall and 3-3 in the SHAC. 

Next for Whiteoak is a SHAC contest Tuesday, Jan. 13 on the road at North Adams High School against the North Adams Green Devils (3-3, 6-4).

BOX SCORE
WHS    18 09 09 12 — 48
MHS    14 15 11 18 — 58