Lions Beat Manhattan Christian In Semi-final Round

After a battle in the first half, the Lustre Lions emerged to earn a 53-34 semiround victory over Manhattan Christian at the Class C state boys’ basketball tournament in Missoula.

The Lions led by only a 23-20 half-time margin, but came out strong in the third quarter with the first eight points. A three-pointer by Cam Reddig, a drive Prestyn Klatt and a steal and drive by Johnslee Pierre put Lustre ahead by a 31-20 margin.

After Zach Venema scored for the Eagles, C. Reddig accounted for the game’s next four points. Pierre then slammed down a dunk for a 37-22 advantage.

With the score at 37-26, the Lions ended the quarter on a three-pointer by Pierre and two free throws by Joel Reddig for a 42-26 advantage.

The Eagles were able to fight back to 42-33 on a threepoint play by Andrew Kimm with 4:51 remaining, but the Lions answered with a basket by Diek Olfert off a nice pass from Pierre with 4:01 left.

After a free throw by Manhattan Christian’s Max Venhuizen with 3:47 remaining, the Lions accounted for the game’s final nine points including four free throws by C. Reddig, a three-pointer by Klatt and a coast-to-coast drive by Pierre.

Lustre’s top scorers were Pierre with 18, C. Reddig with 15 and Klatt with 11 points. Also scoring were J. Reddig with seven and Olfert with two.

Venema led Manhattan Christian with 13 points.

The Lions opened the game with the first eight points on a three-pointer by Klatt and five points by Pierre.

The Eagles closed the margin to 13-8 at the end of the quarter.

Manhattan Christian’s strong inside game led the Eagles to a 19-15 lead with 3:18 remaining in the half. C. Reddig responded with seven straight points including a three-pointer.

Title Action

Lustre’s Joel Reddig puts up a shot against Scobey.

(Photo by Jennifer Ray Photography)