The Manhattan High boys basketball team (6-1) fell for the first time this season to Washburn Rural at home last Tuesday night by a score of 47-54. Rural (5-1) also only has one loss on the season, which came to Topeka High, who the Indians were supposed to play last Friday night at home in a matchup that was postponed to Feb. 3 due to inclement weather.

“We need to move on, as simple as that,” senior Peyton Weixelman said. “[We] can’t let what we didn’t do well carry over and it’s on to the next to put together a complete game.”

The Indians were down most of the game. Washburn was up by four or five consistently. Any time the Tribe got within one or two Rural would hit a three or put them up by two possessions. 

Seniors Chandler Marks and Raeshon Riddick led the Tribe with 14 and 10 points. The two have led the team along with junior Owen Braxmeyer points-wise. However, it wasn’t enough to take down Rural on Tuesday night.

“We just have to stay locked in and play for each other and stay focused,” Riddick said. “We just have to be ready to go at all times. We can’t come out weak if we want to be successful we have to play for each other.”

The Indians are in third place currently according to the KSHSAA West rankings. To host two playoff games for the chance to go to State teams need to be in the top four, so the Indians are still on the pathway for success this season if they keep consistency.

“We’ve come out sluggish a few times this year,” Weixelman said. “We just have to play our game getting defensive stops and turning it into offense and come ready to play every night.”

The Indians will have two chances to rack up some wins when they play Emporia away tonight and Highland Park at home on Friday.

“Coach has said it a thousand times,” Weixelman said. “There’s no off night in our league so we have to stay consistent in our preparation and come ready to play.”