MANHATTAN – A last-second shot lifted the Moundridge Wildcats to a 56-55 win over the TMP-Marian Monarchs in the 2A semifinals Friday in Manhattan.
The Monarchs were able to hang tough in the first quarter despite the Wildcats knocking down five three pointers.
TMP had a brief 4-3 lead and led again at 9-7 after a Dylan Werth three-point play. Then, with TMP up 11-8, Moundridge hit four straight 3s to build a 20-14 lead before Joey Mindrup hit a three pointer for TMP, cutting the lead to 20-17.
After the Monarchs closed within one on a Kade Harris floater at 20-19, Moundridge answered with a 7-0 run to go up 27-19.
TMP answered with an 8-0 run, tying the game at 27. The game was tied again at 29 before Moundridge took a 31-29 lead into the halftime break.
Werth tied the game at 31 to open the second half.
While Moundridge maintained the lead throughout the third quarter, Luke Rome scored 10 of his career-high 26 points in the second quarter as TMP trailed 45-41 through three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, TMP was dealt a huge blow with just over 5:30 to play, when senior guard Kade Harris injured his knee and did not return.
With Harris out, Rome and the Monarchs answered in a big way. They came all the way back to take a one-point lead at 55-54, on a Rome jumper with just nine second left.
But Moundridge scored on a game-winner by Henry Hecox that lifted Moundridge to the 56-55 victory.
Rome led all scorers with 26 points and Werth added 18 points for TMP.
The Monarchs will face Medicine Lodge in the third-place game at 12 p.m. The Indians lost to Wichita Independent in the first boys semifinal game 57-42.