Manheim Central 46 York Suburban 45: Wrap

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 21, 2023

Manheim Central 45 York Suburban 44
Dec. 21, 2023

York Suburban entered the game with a 6-1 record and the Manheim Barons sported a 5-0 record. The game was played at the Baron’s home away from home – Doe Run Elementary School (the Barons have used the elementary school for the past 2 years as their High School is being renovated). There were multiple tweets from Dell about the Suburban defense, and the second half was more defense – this time Central turned up the heat to finally take the lead late in the game on a Chase Book bomb. No one will consider this game an offensive gem by either side. Nope. However, if one appreciates defense, then this was the one to witness. Some talk about teams that grind? Meet the Barons!

York Suburban played arc man-to-man defense pretty much throughout the game – it was very good. The Trojans kept Central out of the lane almost the entire first quarter. Central hit two triples (Mason Rodgers and Jackson Tracy) and 2 fouls shots (Chase Book) for their only points of the period. Suburban was patient on offense and very efficient. The flashy lefty Nasir Barnes, 6’ frosh, ran the point drawing and dishing for some open shots for his teammates (3 triples by the Trojans- Kane Stryhn (1) and Kai Stryhn (2). 13-8 York Suburban after one.

The Trojans put together a 9-0 run to open the second stanza ending with a three-ball by Kai Stryhn (22-8 at the 4:50 mark). From that point each team took turns getting a few points. Yet another 3-ball by Kai Stryhn and a steal and lay-up by Barnes late in the 2nd provided the Trojans with a 33-17 lead. The Barons got the ball out of the basket quickly and Book had a put back at the buzzer. 33-19 at the break.

Central had to do something to change the pace of the game? After a layup by Barnes, the Barons went to their full court trapping defense- a 1-2-2 look with some hard traps and some fake traps. Keyed on by their defense (forced 7 Suburban turnovers in the period), Central went on a 10-0 run. The last on a drive by Sam Witmer, 6’3” senior. 35-29 Suburban at the 2:38 mark. A triple by CO-POG Ryan Kenneff, got the place hoppin. Suburban would make 2 fouls to end the 3rd with a 39-33.

With the game getting into a frenzy, gritty, possession by possession type of game, the Barons were getting some open looks and kept the pressure on. Suburban had a lot of trouble getting back into the first half rhythm that was so good for them. Suburban took a 40-33 lead at the 6:39 mark of the 4th, only to witness Central slowly gather the momentum. The Barons used a 7-0 run (Kenneff triple, Jackson Tracy drive and a Jason Enterline lay-up) and now the contest is knotted at 40 with 4 minutes to go. Needless to say (write), the small gym was incredibly loud. A bucket by Kai Stryhn gave the Trojans their last lead at 42-40. The Chase Book bomb referred to in the opening put Central up 43-42 with 2:52 on the clock. Manheim would go into it’s patented (well UNC patented) 4 corners to score. After a bit, Suburban would have to foul. Central would hit 3 out of 6 fouls shots, not to ice the game but to keep the score in their favor at 3 up. Suburban got off a few shots, but Central would rebound and head to the line. Suburban had the ball with 1.8 ticks left but wound up with a layup for the final tally – 46-45 Manheim Central.

Points:
Manheim Central- Chase Book 12, Ryan Kenneff 11
York Suburban- Kai Stryhn 16, Nasir Barnes 14

Unofficial stats
Rebounds: Central 12, Y Suburban 16
Turnovers: Central 6, Suburban 12
Blocks: Central 4 (2 at big points by Hahn) Y. Suburban 1

Sidelines……in another game, big time congrats on #300 for Gene Lambert at Octorara…Special thanks to Marc Shaffer for setting us up with a spot at center court with roster of both teams…No so sure to thank Marc about promising his players that Dell would do the locker room dance if they won…Sure enough on camera we got the throw down by Jackson Tracy. ..What can one do? Really? A promise is a promise…The nice thing is I don’t believe it was video’d so Dell’s Dr won’t see him hoping around with his cane in a very happy and small locker room.