Cross Court Vision: Octorara v Manheim Central

Written by: Sterling Cross on January 15, 2025

Off the Court:

The combination of fans in attendance and physical size makes Octorara feel like the smallest gym in the LL (maybe there is technically a smaller one somewhere in section 4). When the student section is locked in you would think it was Cameron Indoor Stadium (I would know, I did my undergrad in Durham from 2006-2010). They were in rare form last night

Manheim Central spent the entire half time period in the locker room, and didn’t come back out with any time left on the clock to get up shots up. Whatever Coach Fisher said in there, Central was a different team after the break.

On the Court:

Octorara’s Vincent Thaler was the LLHoops player of the game, and deservedly so pouring in 22 points and collecting I-don’t-know-how-many rebounds.

Having watched both games between the Braves and the Barons, the play of both Vito Vespe and Karter Lambert are what tipped the scales for Octorara in this one. Each scored 13 and came up with some big plays on defense. I counted at least 3 blocks for Lambert and a couple huge rebounds for Vespe particularly as the Barons were making a charge in the second half.

At the mid-way point Central trailed by 13. The Baron’s came out in a 1-2-2 trap that they ran full court and stayed in even after the Braves were past the center court line. It didn’t necessarily produce a lot of turnovers, thanks to excellent guard play from Lazo Christou, Jason Johnson and Chase Fetrow, but it did speed the Braves up on offense and gave Central the possessions they needed to mount a comeback.

With under a minute left in the 4th Chase Book narrowly missed a 3PT attempt that would have tied it for Central. Landon Zeiset fouled out late in the fourth and so he wasn’t on the court to compete for the offensive rebound.

Mason Rodgers looked to have an off game shooting on Octorara’s oddly shaped backboards, but still ended the night leading all scorers with 23. The Baron’s were 5/10 from the free throw line, despite shooting it at a 70% clip coming into the game.

Overall Thoughts:

Both teams are really good. Home court felt like a true advantage for the Braves. A lot of things were just slightly worse for the Baron’s than typically (I’ve seen them three other times this season – on the road against CV and home against Octorara and ETown). If the Baron’s score from the free throw line at a season average rate, or knock down a couple more open looks, or if Zeiset doesn’t foul out in the fourth we’re probably looking at an outcome very similar to the first match up

But those things didn’t happen. Maybe it’s the venue, or maybe it’s just the Braves. They won a close game in Lampeter on Friday, they won a close game last night, and this core of players has been winning close games for Octorara going all the way back to last season (just ask Donegal).

Overall I feel better about my mid season view on Section 3 (which you can read here). I still think Central is the best team on a neutral court, the second half proved a lot about them. For now at least, Octorara sits atop of the section rankings. Not to look too far ahead, but an LL playoff game in Atglen would definitely be a basketball experience.

Up Next:

Manheim Central will play LCS at home on Thursday. Expect them to get back into the win column.

Octorara is on the road Thursday against Donegal, a team I think is better than their current record reflects. Sawyer Floyd put up 30 in an OT win against ELCO last night in Mount Joy (read Andy’s Take on it here). Upset alert for Octorara if they’re not careful.

Video: TBU

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