MHS beats East Hartford in second match up

No. 23 Chris Walker gains control of the ball. Photos by Martha Marteney.

The Manchester High School boys’ basketball team took on East Hartford High School on Feb. 7 at the MHS gymnasium. The junior varsity game was exciting right to the end, with EHHS turning a quick conversion into a four-point lead final two minutes, only to have MHS steal the ball, make a three-point shot and then two foul points, which brought the score to MHS 55 to EHHS 54. In the final 30 seconds, MHS got another basket, but despite EHHS’ many attempts, they could not get it in the hole. MHS junior varsity won the game 57 to 54.

Starters for the varsity game were forward Kweku Aidoo, forward Andrew Isaacs, guard/forward Enrique Lugo, guard Kavohn Townsend and guard Chris Walker. According to coach Bob Healy, Townsend and Lugo are the team’s top scorers. They are also the team captains. Seniors include Akeno Anderson, Brandon Anderson, Lugo and Townsend.

It was a fast-paced game, featuring long outlet passes to move the ball up the court. The teams were evenly-matched, often making the same mistakes. Intercepted passes and shots that were not well set up dominated the play. By the end of the third period, MHS was leading by five points. In the final period, EHHS only managed to gain three points to MHS’ 13. The final score was MHS 58 to EHHS 43.

Sophomore guard Chris Walker showed strong pressure and good hustle throughout the game. Walker started with the team his freshman year, and was a starter for the second half of the EHHS game. Walker noted that the team has been working on its defensive plays, which he felt paid off in the game versus EHHS. “We played really well defensively today,” said Walker. “It was the best defense of all year.”

Although a junior and a life-long basketball player, Jaquel Edwards only joined the school team this year. “Jaquel really gives a lot of energy on our press,” said Healy. The coach described Edwards as a coachable team-player with good attitude.

Going into the game, MHS was ranked 19 in the LL division, with a record of 8 to 5. EHHS was ranked 22, with an 8-6 record.

The final home game will be held on Friday, Feb. 18 against Berlin. The final regular season game will be at East Catholic High School on Feb. 21. Varsity games begin at 7 p.m. For more information on MHS athletics, visit the website at mhsweb.ci.manchester.ct.us and click on athletics. For the complete listing of high school sports, visit the website casciac.org.