Kendale Thompson’s 41 points leads Manlius Pebble Hill past Pulaski in OT
Just seven games into their winter season, it’s already been a historic campaign for the Manlius Pebble Hill boys basketball team. Thursday featured yet another shining display of the team’s sudden turnaround, as the host Trojans outlasted Pulaski 63-61 in overtime thanks largely to a huge game from senior Kendale Thompson.
The Jamesville-DeWitt transfer dropped a career-high 41 points in the victory, including all six of the group’s points in the extra period. Thompson did work at the free throw line, connecting on six of his attempts, while drilling five 3-pointers as well.
After a back-and-forth first half, Manlius Pebble Hill took control with a dominating third quarter to hold a 48-35 lead going into the final 10 minutes of action. The Blue Devils would not go down easily though, as they outscored their opponents 22-9 in the fourth to force extra play.
The Trojans opened up the winter by defeating defending Class C sectional-champion Tully. The victory snapped a 33-game losing streak that had extended back nearly two years.
Thompson has scored at least 20 points in all but one of Manlius Pebble Hill’s first seven tilts this season. On Dec. 14 against LaFayette, he scored 19 points.
Grant Lewis put in 11 points against Pulaski as the Trojans only other double-digit scorer on Wednesday. The Blue Devils got a team-high 24 points from Rian Leaf, while Iziah Mullins pitched in by scoring 13.
Now back over the .500 mark for the third time this season at 4-3 overall, Manlius Pebble Hill will get an extended break before they take back to the floor against Fabius-Pompey at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4.