Manning defeats Lee Central to win Monarch Classic

Sharron Haley/Clarendon Citizen - Manning Varsity Boys defeated Lee Central in a close game Thursday night, 76-66, to claim the first place in the Monarch Classic.

From the beginning buzzer, the Manning-Lee Central game was hard fought down to the wire with Manning pulling away in the last few minutes to win, 76-66, to claim first place in the Monarch Classic.

With Manning Head Coach Jabari Deas sitting in the hallway outside the game due to two technical fouls in a prior game Thursday, Assistant Coach Stevie Ward led the Monarchs to victory.

“The players played for the coach,” Ward said after the game. “They put their hearts into it.”

Ward said the Monarchs had a rough time getting to the championship game.

“We’re proud of the victory,” he said. “It’s going to give us some confidence heading into the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic in Charleston next week.”

Ward said the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Phillip Henry, played well offensively and defensively.

“He got the team involved,” Ward said. “He’s got an inside and an outside game and he’s a good leader.”

Deas said he was proud of the way the team played in his absence.

“They played hard, good, smart, intellectual basketball,” he said after the team was handed their first place trophy. “We knew a good team like Lee Central would make a run. We just hoped we would be able to withstand the run.”

Deas said the championship win was a tribute to a great team and a great staff.

“They played well for Coach Ward,” he added.

Manning’s head coach said he’s excited about the caliber of teams the Monarchs will face in the Roundball Classic.