Manhattan High School boys Varsity basketball (5-5) gained one win and one loss this week, the loss coming against the Emporia Spartans (6-3), 45-50 and the win coming against the Highland Park Scots (0-10), 60-43.

“I thought we gave better effort tonight than we did the other night versus Topeka High but we still go through moments where little things, free throw block outs, drawing up a trap in a timeout,” head coach Benji George said. “I think we go through stretches where we lose focus and then I think we go through stretches where we lose emotion and passion. We saw a guy, in number 41, for Emporia that gave, that consistent, just grind all night long and we’re still struggling to get to that.”

Statistically, the Indians were 38 percent from the field and 42 percent from three while the Spartans went 49 percent from the field and 25 percent from three.

“I thought the ball screen stuff offensively got us better looks,” George said. “I thought Owen [Braxmeyer] did a really good job of handling that. We’re still working progress there but I liked what I saw with all that.”

The Highland Park game was great for Manhattan. The Indians got a key Centennial League win while gaining momentum heading into a tough week.

“We played hard and played together which allowed us to have fun while we were playing,” junior Raeshon Riddick said. “We just gave our all and didn’t worry about anything else but playing hard to win.”

The Indians had the lead on Highland Park the majority of the game.

“It brings back our confidence because we [were] at a low because we know we can perform better,” senior Jonah Artis said. “But that win will turn our season around.”

The team (5-5) will now move onto a guaranteed three-game week in the McPherson Invitational. The Indians will be up against Shawnee Mission East (4-5) at 3 p.m. this Thursday.