Lions take over first place in 3A-3 Conference with 72-60 homecoming win over Osceola

Manila celebrated its 2016 Homecoming with a critical 72-60 victory over Osceola in a key 3A-3 conference battle Friday night at Lion Gym. The win gave Manila (17-4, 7-1) a half game lead over the Seminoles at the top of the league standings.

Bradey Woodall poured in a game high 30 points to lead four Lions in double figures. Conner Balew pumped in 14 points, including four three pointers. Matthew May scored 13 while Jake Helton chipped in 10 points. Dylon Carruth added five points for Manila, who connected on 27-38 foul shots on the night.

Darion Gilmore topped the Seminoles with 16 points while Michael Caruthers and Steveon Fowler added 11 and 10 points respectively. Osceola made 13-26 foul shots.

Manila's Bradey Woodall lays in two of his game high 23 points during the Lion's 59-34 victory at Hoxie Wednesday night in 3A-3 conference action.

The Seminoles held a slim 16-15 edge after the first quarter and upped their margin to 34-30 at the half. The visitors took a 50-49 lead into the fourth period, but the Lions rallied, outscoring Osceola 22-11 in the final frame to post the comeback victory.

Osceola held onto first place in the league standings on the junior high side, taking a 50-44 victory over Manila. The Seminoles led 17-9 after the first break, 29-21 at the half and 36-34 after three quarters. Makei Caruthers led Osceola with 21 points.

Brock Birmingham led the Lions with 26 points. Lane Sims scored nine, Abraham Lopez tallied six, Jeremiah Perez netted two while Trenton Thomas chipped in one point.

Manila senior Burch Milano fights for a loose ball against an unidentified Hoxie player. The Lions placed 10 players in the scoring column and mercy ruled the Mustangs 59-34.

Manila began the week with a 78-41 thrashing of Corning Tuesday night at home. Woodall burned the nets for 28 points to lead the Lions offensively. Joel Burrow scored 13 for Manila, who led 18-8 after the first quarter, 37-24 at the half and 60-38 after three periods of play.

The Lions claimed the junior high game 54-24 behind Birmingham's 24 point performance.

Manila mercy ruled Hoxie 59-34 Wednesday night on the road. Woodall pumped in 23 points to pace the Lions, who put 10 players in the scoring column.

Manila held a slim 24-22 lead with a minute left in the opening half, but a Woodall three pointer fueled a 29-1 Lion run over the next nine minutes. Manila outscored the Mustangs 7-1 to close the first half, and then shut out Hoxie 22-0 in the third period to take a 30 point lead into the final frame.

Matthew May and Carruth scored seven points apiece, Helton had six, Balew tallied five, while Burch Milano and Patrick Tanner pitched in three points each. Marcos Flores and Jeremiah May contributed two points apiece while Dalton Hitchcock added one point. James Johnson led Hoxie with 18 points.

In junior high action, Manila rolled over Hoxie 48-31. Lopez drained five three pointers on his way to a game high 18 point performance to lead the Lions. Birmingham scored nine, Perez and Daley Belew tallied five points each, Sims had four, Thomas netted three while Hunter Veuletich chipped in two points. Ethan Navarro and Michael Parker added one point apiece.

Manila returns to action Tuesday night, traveling to Piggott to face the Mohawks in 3A-3 conference action. The Lions will close the week Friday night against rival Rivercrest at Lion Gym.

The Lady Lions dropped a pair of conference games, losing 74-32 Monday night at Corning before falling 54-40 Thursday night at Osceola.

Kaytie Manatt poured in a game high 21 points to lead the Lady Bobcats. Maggie Couch scored 14 while Caitlyn Carpenter and Cara Johnson added 13 points apiece. Corning also won the junior high game 41-24.

Jimmyiah Allen scored 16 points to lead the Lady Seminoles past Manila. Kyra Guy netted 12, Alexis Hobson chipped in 11 while Akeyla Barksdale tallied 10 points. Taylor Harmon led the Lady Lions with 13 points.

In junior high action, Manila defeated Osceola 38-23.

The Lady Lions host Piggott Monday night before traveling to Rivercrest on Thursday.