MANHATTAN, Mont. — The Manhattan Christian Eagles are setting their sights on another deep postseason run as they look to reach their fifth consecutive Class C state title game. Despite a rocky start to the season, the Eagles have turned things around, winning 14 of their final 15 games.
Head Coach Layne Glaus expressed pride in his team’s resiliency.
“I’m extremely proud of this group. Coming in 0-3 to start the season, we could have went one or two directions. I felt like they came together, and we all looked in the mirror and said, what can I do to get better? And they’ve done that,” said Glaus.
The Eagles lost a strong senior class, leaving just three seniors on this year’s roster. However, the team has improved over time, ending the year with a 14-4 record.
“Some of the fine details that you need to take care of at the varsity level weren’t there to start. But it seems like each week we’ve gotten a little bit better. And like I said, I think experience goes a long way,” said Glaus.
Senior forward Andrew Kimm has played a crucial role in the Eagles’ success. He is one of the few returning players on this year’s team with varsity experience which has been instrumental in their improvement.
“I felt like probably four or five games in, we really started to find our rhythm and we started clicking as a team. And I mean, I think we’re in full stride right now. We still have a lot of getting better to do, but I love the direction we’re headed in,” Kimm said.
Coach Glaus emphasized the importance of teamwork in their recent success.
“For any team to be great, all five guys that are on the court, throughout the game have to just work their butt off and communicate and talk well with each other. And we’ve kind of figured that out the last three or four weeks,” Glaus said.
Junior point guard Tate Hamilton has also stepped up, improving his decision-making and reducing turnovers as the season progressed.
“At the start of the year, I had lots of turnovers. Just couldn’t really lead the team as a point guard very well. But now that I’m getting the decision-making down and got the turnovers down, I feel like I’m just helping the team out by assisting others,” Hamilton said.
The Eagles are determined to make it back to the state championship after finishing as runners-up the past two seasons. Hamilton and Kimm both expressed confidence in their team’s potential.
“We have heart. That’s the biggest part of it. We got the motivation and, once again, I feel like we’re a selfless group that can get back there,” Hamilton said.
“That’s ultimately one of our greatest goals to get there, give all the glory to God on the way. And it would be amazing. I’d love to,” added Kimm.
The Eagles have advanced to the Western C Divisional which runs Feb. 26-28. The top two teams from the Western C Divisional advance to the state tournament.