The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
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Dutchmen stun Hanover-Horton
Wharam's 20 points, double-double from Mutchler key first win
By Ed Patino
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2008
The wait for a breakthrough victory is over for the Manchester freshmen boys' basketball team.
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With Scott Wharam and Alex Mutchler leading the way, the Flying Dutchmen rallied for a 50-47 victory over the Hanover-Horton Comets in a Cascades Conference game Jan. 11.
Manchester (1-4) trailed throughout the first three quarters, and remained down as many as 10 points early in the game. However, the Dutchmen stayed within striking distance and grabbed a one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way, but Mutchler, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the final quarter, helped Manchester hang on for the win.
"I'm really proud of the effort of my boys, and it's nice to see their hard work come together in a game," Manchester coach Brad Gerbe said. "We've been preaching the keys to winning are to outwork the opponent and play smarter, and I felt we put that together."
Hanover-Horton was stronger out of the blocks, as its three-point shooting helped the Comets build a 10-point lead late in the frame. The Dutchmen seemed to be in peril in the second when they ran into foul trouble, but Manchester received some key baskets from its bench that kept the team in the game.
"We had kids playing in different roles and they stepped up huge," Gerbe said.
The Comets maintained their double-digit lead for most of the third quarter, but Manchester switched to a motion-based offense late in the frame. The strategy helped the Dutchmen score the final five points of the quarter and pull to within 37-31.
Mutchler began heating up in the fourth quarter, allowing Manchester to outscore the Comets 19-10 in the fourth to take the game.
"In close games, one possession can swing the momentum," Gerbe said. "We hadn't been close in many of our games, so it was nice to see the boys show discipline down the stretch."
Wharam finished with a game-high 20 points to lead the Dutchmen. He also grabbed six rebounds, handed out five assists and forced four steals. Mutchler grabbed eight rebounds to go with his 12 points, while Ryan Fookes added 11 points and nine rebounds.
"Scott had a fantastic game and really started our motion," Gerbe said. "Alex and Ryan played big in the post."
Ryan Little scored five points for Manchester, while Scott Coval had two points. Gerbe credited the defensive efforts of Jack Begley, Logan Weber, Nick Stetler and Coval, especially during the second quarter.
"They really picked us up," Gerbe said. "The boys listen to what we tell them and work hard in practice, and seeing it come through in a game helps them believe in what we're doing."
Manchester returns to action today when it hosts the Hudson Tigers for a non-conference game. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. and is the first of a triple-header at Manchester High School. The boys' junior varsity team hosts Grass Lake at 5:30 p.m. and the Manchester varsity boys' basketball team takes on the Warriors about 30 minutes following the conclusion of the JV contest.
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