Hawks Basketball Win Tight Opening Night Game

Halfway through the fourth quarter of their season opener, a Hawk's victory seemed likely.

But their opponent, the Point Pleasant Boro Panthers, rallied, taking the lead with little time left.

The Manchester squad fought until the end. With 3 seconds remaining in regulation, a go-ahead jumper by Hawk's senior Nate Nickens sealed his team's 32-31 victory during the Dec. 17 Shore Conference B-South match up. 

Manchester maintained the lead for most of the game, taking an early first quarter advantage in this low scoring defensive battle.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Hawks expanded their lead to eight, a margin that seemed almost insurmountable at that point with the defensive efforts being put forward by both teams. 

It was at then, however, that the Panthers began to narrow the gap. Two quick Point Boro 3-pointers cut the score to a 28-26 Manchester advantage with 3:39 left to play. 

The Panthers then took their first lead since the opening basket when they capped an 11-1 run to take a 31-29 lead with 1:34 remaining in the game.

Though the Panthers bench was celebrating, the Hawks never let the thought of losing their eight point lead get the best of them. 

Instead, on their next offensive possession, Nickens was able to draw a foul and go to the line for two shots.  He missed the first, but made the second, bringing the Hawks back to within one.

The Panthers were unable to add any insurance points on their next possession. The Hawks then took the ball back down court with 14.8 seconds remaining, setting up Nickens for the game winner.

After the game coach Ryan Ramsay said he was "very happy" with his team's defensive effort against the Shore Conference's eighth-ranked team.

He also praised the efforts of his bench after Nickens sat out most of the first half with early foul trouble, earning two fouls in just the first few minutes. 

When asked what adjustments led to his team to commit only seven second half fouls, compared to ten in a first half, the coach said he told his players to change up their style.

Ramsay said his team should "play with their feet as opposed to their hands, keeping the game in front of them. Just something as simple as that goes a long way." 

The Hawks will follow up their victory with a trip to the WOBM Christmas Classic, facing Toms River East in the opening round on Dec. 19 at 2:45 p.m at Toms River High School North. 

Ramsay said his team needs to continue practicing, despite their 1-0 start. "Defensively I'm OK. I'm happy defensively. Offensively we've got to work a little bit better and tomorrow we'll get back in here and hopefully we'll make the necessary changes," he said.