Manheim Central Defeats Muhlenberg 64-54 in District 3 Class 5A Quarterfinal: Kehler on Hoops

Written by: Dell Jackson on February 24, 2023

Manheim Central Defeats Muhlenberg 64-54 in District 3 Class 5A Quarterfinal

Manheim Central overcame a seven point second quarter deficit to defeat visiting Muhlenberg 64 to 54 in a PIAA District 3 Class 5A playoff quarterfinal that was closer than the final score suggests. Although substantially out-rebounded throughout the game, a 12 to 2 Manheim Central run at the end of the contest carried the home side to victory. How close was the game? There were a remarkable 16 ties throughout the contest and six lead changes.

Muhlenberg is a quick, deep squad with numerous outside shooters and a ferocious commitment to rebounding. Their defensive pressure gave Manheim Central fits through most of the game. Generally, the faster the pace of the contest, the better the result for Muhlenberg. The visitors had a flexible and free-lance offensive approach, and 10 Muhlenberg players scored in the game. Manheim Central had better ball security, more offensive structure, and they deployed a variety of defenses. The contrasting styles of play made for an absorbing game, and the closeness of the contest made for a memorable showdown.

Muhlenberg had the advantage in the first quarter. Five Muhlenberg players scored in the first frame, their quick-handed and tightly packed defense clogged the lane, and they decisively out-rebounded Manheim Central, 14 to six. In the first quarter, Muhlenberg actually had more offensive rebounds than Manheim Central had defensive rebounds; that ratio was six to four. Muhlenberg led 14 to 9 after eight minutes of play.

Muhlenberg continued to dominate the boards in the second quarter, and their point guard, senior J’Daniel Mosquera who is listed at 5’ 9”, scored nine points in the period. However, Manheim Central’s outside shooters began to find the range in the second frame. Trailing late in the second quarter, Manheim Central closed the first half with a 7 to 2 run on a baseline drive by 6’ freshman Chase Book, a 3-pointer by Book, and a fast break layup by 6’ senior Collin Neiles. Muhlenberg had a narrow 25 to 23 halftime lead.

One of the reasons that Muhlenberg had been doing so well on the offensive glass in the first half was that Manheim Central had been playing a lot of 1-3-1 zone defense. Teams playing a 1-3-1 zone are less effective defensive rebounders than they would be when playing other defenses. Manheim Central played much more man-to-man defense in the second half, and their relative rebounding performance improved markedly as a result.

Manheim Central hadn’t led since the score was 7 to 6, but they recaptured the lead with 5:10 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by 5’ 11” senior Trey Grube. Grube’s score from beyond the arc gave Manheim Central a 33 to 30 lead. The teams then traded scores, resulting in small Manheim Central leads and a couple of ties, until Muhlenberg forged ahead, 43 to 42, at the end of the third quarter on a clutch 3-pointer by 6’ 1” junior Alex Collado.

The teams went back and forth at the beginning of the final quarter. In the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, there were a couple of lead changes and six ties. Basketball games don’t get much closer than that! With the score tied at 52 and less than three minutes left to play, 6’ 3” Manheim Central junior Aaron Enterline was unguarded on the right baseline, but he didn’t shoot. In the decisive play of the game, Grube cut behind Enterline. Quickly, Enterline got the ball to Grube and set a screen. Grube made a 3-pointer from the right baseline corner from behind Enterline’s screen, and Manheim Central led from that point. On Manheim Central’s next possession, Grube hit another 3-pointer with 2:10 left to play, giving his side a 58 to 52 lead. Muhlenberg couldn’t recover.

For the game, Muhlenberg decisively out-rebounded Manheim Central 41 to 25. Manheim Central had seven turnovers, while Muhlenberg had 11 miscues. Manheim Central was 10 of 15 from the free throw line, and Muhlenberg was 12 of 18 from the stripe. Manheim Central scored six times from beyond the arc, and Muhlenberg sank four 3-pointers.

Manheim Central scoring: Trey Grube 21, Aaron Enterline 12, Jackson Tracy 8, Collin Neiles 8, Chase Book 7, Zach Benner 6, and Mason Rodgers 2.

Muhlenberg scoring: J’Daniel Mosquera 13, Luis Valentin 13, Kyle Archie 5, Mekhi Adonis 4, Michael Miller 4, Eric Branch 4, Xzayvion Robertson 3, Jermaine Towles 3, Alex Collado 3, and Josh Alcantara 2.

Muhlenberg 14 11 18 11-54
Manheim Central 9 14 19 22-64

With this win, Manheim Central advances to the PIAA District 3 Class 5A semifinal round vs. Mechanicsburg Area.

On Twitter: @david_kehler

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