by Bryan Whitton
Manchester H.S. Intern
Before the game, Meadowbrook honored one of their players, Crystal Smith.
Smith had set the all-time school scoring record for girls basketball with over 1,300 career points.
An emotional Smith would have an outstanding game, scoring a game-high 35 points and leading her team past the Lady Lancers 76-62 on Monday night in the first round of the Central Region tournament.
The game started off very fast-paced. Both teams ran the floor very well and tried for the quick baskets.
Meadowbrook, in particular, did a great job of spreading the ball around to keep the Lancer defense moving and off guard, which led to open shots and easy points.
Smith led her team in assists with five.
On the other end of the floor, the Monarch defense played a 2-3 zone in an attempt to stop Manchester’s best player Porche’ Bentley.
But just like a star is supposed to, Bentley stepped up to the challenge. She finished the game with 17 points and a staggering 16 rebounds. Bentley also did her job at the foul line, going 9 for 11.
Her leadership was truly shown in this game, whether it was hustling for the ball, drawing fouls or making sure her team was in the right position.
The game stayed close for the majority of the time, the Monarchs only led by seven at the end of a very low scoring first half.
The third quarter showed them extend the lead slightly up to 11 with a score of 46-37, but the fourth quarter held the most offensive action of the game.
In what may have been an act of desperation, Manchester coach Jerry Gibbs instructed his girls to begin intentionally fouling the Monarchs with five minutes left in the quarter and the Lady Lancers trailing by 12.
The strategy, which is typically saved for later in the fourth quarter when the score is close, backfired terribly on Manchester.
Although they managed to score an impressive 25 points in the quarter, Manchester just couldn’t overcome Meadowbrook’s outstanding free throw shooting, especially coming from their star Smith.
Manchester just couldn’t keep it close enough, and the Monarchs walked away with the victory.
Manchester 15 11 11 25 – 62
Meadowbrook 18 15 13 30 – 76
Manchester (17-8): Roberts 7, Barnett 12, Stargardt 0, Clanton 11, Wilkins 0, Glenn 0, Peay 0, Wallace 15, Bentley 17. Totals: 19 17-21 62. 3-point goals: Wallace 4, Clanton 3.
Meadowbrook (16-10): Smith 35, Forrest 0, Cunningham 8, Ka. Marks 13, Coleman 10, Arrington 2, Hatcher 8. Totals: 24 30-34 76. 3-point goals: Smith 4.
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