Manchester High School varsity boys basketball team makes it to the top, winning the CIAC state championships since 1938.
Run to the sun has been the motto all season as the team geared up for states. Senior trio, shooting guard Dereck Sheets, small forward Will Oden-Tann, and point guard Chance Clark have been seen as the foundation for the varsity team. However the entire team knew what they wanted and didn’t stop until they accomplished their goal.
Head coach John Reiser was not surprised at all by the history made during this season and despite two losses, this win will go down in history forever after 87 years.
Tough game against New London created anxious feelings throughout Mohegan Sun Arena although a Manchester victory was in the air.
Clark, putting the Red Hawks on the scoreboard with five out of the many three pointers shot, led to seven great assists and 24 points in the game.
Sheets finished with three steals, five assists, and 20 points into the final quarter of the game. However for Oden-Tann, a devastating foul out occurred leaving him benched on the last stretch of the game.
Into the fourth quarter the small forward fouled out although having seven rebounds and 18 points into the game.
CT insider quotes Oden-Tann stating, “My teammates got me. I didn’t get nervous, not one bit,”.
Whilst this, life changing play time occurred for Manchester senior Cameron Major. Small forward only had failed attempts at raising the score for the Red Hawks until the last quarter of the game.
Ending with only three points may seem like nothing although for Major, anything was everything.
With under 30 seconds of the game, a three pointer from Major created excitement and comfort for the Red Hawks leaving Major to be announced player of the game. As the crowd got wild, the team felt safe with their five point advantage leading to their win for the first time since 1938.
Final score Manchester 77 and New London 74, as the season comes to an end, the team commemorates all the seniors who would be leaving. Which leaves everyone questioning, will the Red Hawks be state champs next season?
