Smoke settles on Manchester win

On Friday, Dec. 4, the James River and Manchester boys’ basketball teams battled to a 52-48 decision in favor of James River. So when the two met for the second time Jan. 22, the two teams expected a close game. What they probably didn’t expect was the blood bath that ensued.

Technical fouls were called four times, three players left the court with minor injuries and the whistle signaled infractions 57 times during the game. When the smoke settled, Manchester hobbled away with a 53-42 win.

Fouling woes started early for Manchester. Guard Rashaun Alexander went hard to the floor under the basket. Appearing to land on his wrist, Alexander stayed on the floor while play continued at the other end of the court. A player and a coach earned technical fouls when play finally halted and trainers were allowed on the court to tend to the injured Lancer.

James River shooters Shaun Copening and Sean Dougherty capitalized on all four free throws to give the Rapids the lead.

Manchester scored 12 unanswered points from four different players to regain the lead for good. The Lancers showed patience on offense, ending the first half by taking one minute off the clock and holding for the final shot. Alexander hit a long 2-pointer from the left side at the buzzer to give Manchester a 24-17 lead heading into the locker room.

James River opened the second half behind a tenacious full-court press. The Rapids created three quick turnovers and pulled ahead by two behind two 3-pointers by Dougherty and a layup by Malcolm Johnson, but Manchester’s Montel Robinson ended a four-minute scoring drought for the Lancers with a 3-point play.

The Lancers capitalized with three points on two technical fouls late in the fourth and forced James River to foul.

Already in the bonus, the Rapids had no fouls to give and sent Manchester players to the line four times in the final two minutes. Manchester picked up six points and the win.

Alexander led all players with 16 points and eight rebounds. Breon Washington and Aaron Wilson each added 11 points for the Lancers.

Dougherty and Ben Hauck led James River with 11 points each and Drew McLean added 11.