Lions coast past Hornets, remain unbeaten

Manila ran its record to 4-0 on the year with a 74-51 victory over Harrisburg in 3A-3 conference basketball action Tuesday night in the Lions' Den.

Manila bolted to an 8-0 lead to begin the game, thanks to a three point play and an inside bucket by Zac Riley, sandwiched around a Scott Eubanks three pointer. The Lions increased their advantage to double figures behind a three point barrage late in the quarter. Thomas Davis sank a pair of treys while Eubanks added a triple of his own. Eubanks' conventional three point play at the end of the quarter gave Manila a 26-13 lead. The 6'3" senior finished the opening period with 14 of his game high 22 points.

Manila's Scott Eubanks soars for two of his game high 22 points in the Lions' 74-51 victory over Harrisburg Tuesday night. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher)

The Hornets fought back in the second quarter and sliced the Lion lead to 30-25 on a three pointer by Brayden Honeycutt with 5:36 left in the half. But Manila responded by running off the game's next nine points, highlighted by Caleb Reinhart's three point bomb, giving the Lions a 39-25 advantage. Honeycutt connected for his second trey of the quarter before Eubanks answered with an inside basket, putting Manila ahead 42-30 at the half.

Davis and Reinhart buried back to back treys in the third period, helping Manila take a 57-43 lead into the final frame. The Lions coasted the rest of the way in improving to 2-0 in conference play.

Thomas Davis drained five treys and finished with 19 points. Riley scored 13 points, Reinhart tallied seven, Kyler Williams and Kyle Joyner contributed five points each, Seth Grissom pitched in two while Erik Navarro added one point. The Lions hit 11-16 foul shots and drilled nine three pointers on the night.

Alex Nicholson led the Hornets with 13 points while Honeycutt added 11. Harrisburg hit 10-13 free throws and made five three pointers.

Lion Kyler Williams flies into action in Manila's 3A-3 victory over Harrisburg Tuesday night.

In junior high action, Manila remained unbeaten with a 56-21 victory over the Hornets. Bradey Woodall led the Lions with 12 points while Matthew May added 10. Patrick Tanner scored eight, Logan Hamilton tallied six, Jeremiah May finished with four while Miles Gifford and Tyler Johnson contributed three points apiece. Rodney Laster, Dylon Carruth, Joel Burrow, Neal Benson and Annan Garrett all scored two points each.

Manila will return to the hard court this week when they participate in the Greyhound Classic in Newport.

Lady Lions

The Lady Lions rolled to a 57-30 victory over Gosnell. Manila (6-1, 1-2 3A-3) was led by Emily Cook's 12 points. Kirsten Adcock recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points while snaring 11 rebounds. Adcock also blocked five shots. Kailen Shelton also scored 11 points for the Lady Lions. Taylor Harmon finished with eight, Deven Burrow tallied six while Lauren Woody pitched in five. Charlie Smith added four points. Manila hit 15-24 free throws and drained six three pointers.

Manila led 18-9 after the opening quarter, 35-18 at the half and 55-23 entering the fourth period.

In junior high action, Gosnell outscored Manila 11-5 in the fourth quarter to rally past the Lady Lions 20-19. Manila held a 7-3 lead after the first quarter and took a 10-6 advantage into the dressing room at the half. The Lady Lions held a 14-9 lead entering the final frame.

Jordan Tyler led the Lady Lions with seven points while Jordyn Wheeler, Hannah McQueen and Tessa Pannells all added four points each.

The Lady Lions will begin play as the number one seed in this week's Gerald Jennings Tournament at East Poinsett County. Manila will travel to Earle Monday night to take on the Lady Bulldogs in a 3A-3 conference tilt.