Mangas, Miranda Shine Among All-Stars
MISHAWAKA – Kyle Mangas admitted that Tuesday night’s basketball game was a little different from the ones he’s used to.
That still didn’t stop the Warsaw star from showcasing his skills.
Mangas showed he knows how to play above the rim too in an up-and-down dunk fest in the sixth annual McDonald’s Michiana All-Star Game.
Mangas powered down three of his own dunks on the night as his Gray Team lost a 148-145 final in overtime to the Red Team in play on Mike Lightfoot Court in the Wiekamp Center on the Bethel College campus.
Mangas, who led Warsaw to its second straight sectional title and third straight Northern Lakes Conference crown this past season, admitted that he enjoyed the game which saw the two teams put up a combined 229 shots.
“It was a little different from what I’m used to, but it was fun to get out and run in transition,” said Mangas, a 6-3 guard. “It was cool to get to show off my dunking skills.”
Mangas’ Warsaw team this past season averaged about 51 points-per-game and allowed just 42 points-per-outing on the season.
Mangas, who will play at Indiana Wesleyan University next season, finished with 13 points. The Indiana All-Star hopeful, who averaged 22 ppg. his senior year and finished fourth in program history in career scoring with 1,450 points, also led his team with 10 rebounds.
The only three points of the abbreviated two-minute overtime session came on a rebound basket by Damezi Anderson with 5.3 seconds to play and a free throw by Maurice Scott Jr. with 4.2 ticks left.
The Gray team had a chance to send the game to another extra session, but a final heave just inside half court by Sharmar Dillard hit off the rim at the final horn.
Anderson, a junior from South Bend Riley, poured in 40 points for the winners. The athletic forward, who is receiving plenty of Division I college interest, wowed the crowd with several sensational dunks and also hit four treys. Anderson also had 12 rebounds.
Former NorthWood star Vinny Miranda had a strong game with 25 points for the winners. Miranda, the standout guard for the Panthers, led NorthWood to a fourth straight 20-win season this year.
Luke Zurcher from NorthWood had 10 points for the Red Team.
“This was a lot of fun to come out here and play with the best talent around the area,” said Miranda, who will play at Taylor University. “I just wanted to hold my own and show that I can play at this level.
“The special part of it is the competitive spirit of all of these guys at the end of the game. Everybody wants to win when it comes down to it at the end like it did tonight regardless of the situation.”
The Red Team led late by a 145-142 count after a rebound bucket by Miranda. The Gray Team forced overtime when Cory McKinely drained a trey with 32 seconds to play in regulation.
Noah Applegate of Penn finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. The Red Team had seven players score in double figures. Elijah Hales of Westview had 15 points and Luke Morrison of Northridge 14 for the winners.
McKinney, a junior from South Bend Washington, led the Gray team with 27 points. Walter Ellis of South Bend Adams scored 20 points and Dillard 19. Nathan Stutzman of Clinton Christian, a small school outside of Goshen, played a strong game with 17 points. Cornell Conner of Elkhart Central finished with 14 points.
The Red Team finished 59-123 from the field, including 17-56 from distance. The Gray Team shot 60-106 overall, including 15-46 from deep.