The opening act of the 81st annual TOC proved to be an exciting day. The curtain closed on the First Act after a buzzer beating 3-pointer by Manhattan’s Landon Knopp in the second overtime to overcome Olathe East and send the Indians to the tournament semifinals. Day Two is now set for another outstanding series of matchups.
Game One: Wichita Height 78 – Goddard Eisenhower 38
The #1 ranked Falcons were challenged early – leading by only eight at the end of the first period. However, a 32-11 third period put the game out of reach and allowed the Falcons to clear the bench for the final period. Wichita State signee TJ Williams led all scorers with a game high 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the lopsided victory. Heights moves on to play Maize in the semifinals on Friday night.
Game Two: Wichita East 59 – Campus 58
In the upset of the day, Wichita East overcame a five-point deficit in the final period to advance to the semifinals against Manhattan on Friday afternoon. Manuel Martinez hit two clutch free throws with 4.5 seconds left on the clock to complete the comeback. Martinez led the Blue Aces in scoring with 22 points. A last second deflection sent Campus to the consolation bracket. The Colts were led by Drake signee Andrell Burton who finished with a game high 24 points. The fourth period alone featured five lead changes and four ties.
Game Three: Maize 44 – Dodge City 36
In a game featuring the host team, Maize went on a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to advance to the tournament semifinals to be played on Friday night. The game was tied at 29-29 entering the fourth quarter and remained tied (34-34) until the 4:22 mark of the game. However, the Red Demons would not score again until the Maize lead had ballooned to (41-34). The game featured seven lead changes and five ties. Dodge City was led by Tochi Okoro with 11 points, while Charles Sharp led Maize with a game high 18 points on 8 of 9 shooting. Dodge City will play Eisenhower at 6p in the first game of the night session on Friday night.
Game Four: Manhattan 70 – Olathe East 68
The 81st annual TOC saved its most exciting game of the first round for last on Thursday night. How close was this game? The nightcap featured fifteen lead changes and eight ties. Olathe East led by one point at the end of the third period (32-31), and the game was tied at the end of regulation (51-51) and the end of the first overtime (58-58). Only a long range three pointer by Manhattan’s Landon Knopp ended the first night of action as his long range bomb as time expired propelled the Indians into a Friday afternoon semifinal match up against Wichita East. Knopp’s dagger spoiled an outstanding individual effort by Micah Deaver of Olathe East who finished with a game high 33 points. Manhattan finished with a balanced scoring attack as Asher Newcomer finished with a team high 16 points, while his teammates Ian McNabb and Landon Knopp each finished with 15 points. Olathe East plays Campus on Friday afternoon while Manhattan will continue its quest for their first TOC Championship since 1973.
