Manhattan Indians boys basketball is coming off a disappointing week, where the team lost two consecutive games for the first time this season. The Indians fell to Maize High 67-44 on the road Saturday, one night removed from being on the losing end of a 73-70 overtime stunner at home against Emporia.

“Our tanks were just out of gas,” head coach Benji George said of the Maize game. “I mean, it was a difficult spot in our schedule with an emotional loss the night before. So I told the guys, just forget about it by the time you leave the locker room, and that’s what we did.”

Maize brought height to the game, something George emphasized as a big factor in MHS’s loss. 

“I mean, their size and their length really bothered us, and we didn’t get great looks,” George said. “We weren’t very good in the paint, and then they shot the ball better than what we needed them to. We had to pack it in a little bit, and they shot the ball well from the perimeter.”

The Indians’ shortfall to Emporia notched the team’s first loss in Centennial League play and first loss in a one-possession game.

“Friday was a tough one. I mean, it’s a league game. It’s at home,” George said. “Zooming out, great high school basketball game. Both teams played really hard. Both teams left it on the floor. I told our players that if you change one possession or change three points, it doesn’t change the fact that we played really hard and we played with emotion.” 

The Indians played their first of six League matchups to close out the regular season, hosting Washburn Rural on Feb. 10.