Manchester knocks off another conference foe on way to regional final

(Second-place Michigan Center also lost in a regional, 54-34 to Pewamo-Westphalia, on Tuesday.)

The Flying Dutchmen (14-8) will face Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (12-11) in Thursday's 7 p.m. regional title game.

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Manchester coach Cori Kastel said she never envisioned her team playing in a regional final, but not because of any lack of faith. It just never hit the team's radar until after Friday night's win.

"Our goals coming into the season were winning the Cascades Conference and winning a district," Kastel said. "I'm not saying it's a shock, because it's not a shock, especially after everything we've been through. And now I can't imagine it being any other way."

Addison led 36-32 after three quarters Tuesday night, but the Flying Dutchmen fought their way back to take the lead for good midway through the quarter.

Stephanie Ball, McKenna Erkfritz, Emily Werner and Taylor Manders all hit 3-point baskets in the fourth quarter to help Manchester lead by as many as seven points, and the Flying Dutchmen wrapped things up from the free-throw line.

Addison, meanwhile, struggled from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Kastel attributes that to her team's depth.

"I think they were tired," said Kastel, who rotates nine players. "We wore them down."

Addison packed itself in a tight zone to protect against its size disadvantage and Manchester had trouble getting the ball inside to its post players.

Instead, they hit a season-high seven 3-point baskets.

"I don't think we've ever taken so many 3-pointers in a game," Kastel joked.

Ball, a senior point guard, finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Manders finished with 13 points.

Justine Ferris led Addison with 11 points.