“What a way to end the season,” said a very disappointed varsity basketball coach, Mike Ahrens, on Friday afternoon. “Not just a season, but the end of a high school career for the four seniors on our team.”

On Thursday, March 12, the MHSAA posted the following announcement: “Postseason events sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association have been suspended immediately and indefinitely due to concerns related to COVID-19.”

“When I learned the news I was stunned and disappointed, but I do understand and support the MHSAA decision,” Ahrens said. “We–the team and I–were confident we had at least one more WIN in us and could thus clinch the district championship.”

But it was a very exciting week leading up to this disappointing announcement.

In Game 1 on Monday night, March 9, Manchester opened the five-team tournament vs Clinton (8-11), on the Redskins’ home court. “The Dutch outscored Clinton 35-23 in the middle quarters, and that was what made the difference,” Ahrens stated. The final score was 60-56.

Shooting, Manchester hit for 52.6 percent, while Clinton made 47.1 percent of its shots; the Dutch out-rebounded Clinton 38-30, led by senior Braeden Caszatt’s 10. Junior Cody Guernsey also snagged seven defensive rebounds in the cause. Caszatt also contributed 10 points. Senior Captain Tyler Horky again led his team in scoring with 27, and at the defensive end where he had nine deflections. Junior Cody Guernsey totaled 7 points. Points per possession – Manchester 1.00 and Clinton .88.

The win improved the Dutchmen’s record to stand at 9-12 and advance to the district semi-finals in Game 2 vs Ann Arbor Greenhills (3-17) on Wednesday, March 11.

“The Gryphons of Greenhills jumped on the Dutch 18-8 in the first quarter,” Ahrens said. “After regulation time, the score was 61-61. In the 4-minute overtime, Tyler Horky scored 7 of the team’s 10 points and the team’s defense kept Greenhills to 4 over time points. The final score was 71-65.

Greenhills sophomore Finn Klein led his team with 27 points. The Dutch leading scorers were Horky (23), Aiden Kelly (21) and  Caszatt (16).

“It should be noted that sophomore Kelly also collected 11 rebounds, thus a double-double night,” Ahrens added. “Junior Cody Guernsey’s improved play was evident with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Cody has shot 100% from the floor the last two contests.”

Horky earned the “Defensive Player of the Game” award for the 10th time this season, accumulating five steals and six deflections.

At this point the Flying Dutchmen were ready to move on to the District Championship Game 3 against Ypsi-Arbor Prep, who held a 15-6 season record. The Gators earned the way to the finals by defeating Whitmore Lake 70-28 Wednesday evening after the Manchester – Ann Arbor Greenhills game.

The Dutch ended their season with a very respectable 10-12 record. Congratulations, Dutchmen, on a great season, and thank you, seniors, for your dedication.