Manhattan Indians girls basketball (19-6) ended their season in the Sub-State Finals on March 6. The Indians fell to the Wichita East Blue Aces 72-58 in front of a home crowd, one win away from a State Tournament appearance.
“I hate losing, but especially when it’s my last home game [in] high school,” senior Delaney Larson said. “It’s just rough. But, you know, we had a great season. I’m really proud of how we fought every game, no matter if we were up 20, down five. No matter what it was, we played hard the whole time.”
In the last few seconds of the first quarter junior Avery Ingram drained a three pointer to tie the game at 13 apiece. Nearly half of the Indians’ first quarter points came from a combined six made free throws from junior Bailey Busch (4) and senior Kat Ball (2).
In the second quarter, Wichita East came out sizzling with eight points in just the first minute. Amidst the hot start, the Indians’ offensive attack stayed steady, as MHS trailed 32-28 at half.
The game was still neck-and-neck after the third quarter with Wichita East on the high side, leading 49-46.
From there, the Indians started to unravel, as East used the deep ball in the fourth quarter to pull ahead. In the end, Wichita East took home the Sub-State trophy, winning the game by 14.
“They just kind of hit threes in big moments, and we just could never really get that lead,” Busch said.
The playoff exit marked the end of seniors Larson, Kat Ball, Jorryn Hall and Tess Henry’s high school basketball careers.
“Us seniors, we went to elementary school together and have known each other forever,” senior Kat Ball said. “So you know, it’s obviously bittersweet, but looking back at all the little photos of us in our headband phases and all of our crazy outfits, you can see how much we’ve grown together.”
The Indians’ season might have come to end, but not before a few historic accomplishments. The Indian won a share of the Centennial League title for the first time since 2018, swept Washburn Rural after previously losing in 19-straight against them and two program records were broken along the way. Ball took home the all-time program steals record and sophomore Evie Banks notched the most three-pointers made in a single season in program history.
Next season, the Indians will return Busch, Ingram and fellow juniors Jelena Depusoir and Ansley Becket, as well as Banks and fellow sophomores Joss Hall, Stella Salmans and Josie Alesana.
“I’ve talked to some of the underclassmen already, and we’re excited for this next chapter,” Busch said. We’re going to miss these seniors, but we’re excited for next year to come bring it.”
