If you like offense, the Marion-Indianapolis Manual game was for you. The teams scored 197 points in regulation.

Senior Courvoisier McCauley hit a layup then a three-pointer in the first 30 seconds of the game for Manual. That was a sign of things to come in the game. McCauley scored 11 points in the first three minutes to push Manual out to an early lead.

Marion had some offensive struggles to begin the game. Senior guard Tim Leavell began the game 0-4 for the field, and the Giants were down 24-12 after one quarter.

Marion freshman JK Thomas gave the Giants a boost off the bench when he entered late in the first quarter. He hit a pull-up jumper on the first offensive possession that he was in the game. He’s a different type of athlete. He looked to score each time that he touched the ball but he made good decisions with the ball.

The scoring went to a new level in the second quarter. McCauley continued to pour in points at a frantic pace while Marion found some offensive balance with Leavell, Thomas and Dre Aguilar.

Incredibly the scoring went to yet another level in the second half. Cameron Black had a productive quarter for Marion. He did a little of everything – scored, rebounded, defense. Cameron Sembly was doing the same for Manual. Sembly finished with six points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Tempers were lost late in the third quarter when JK Thomas fouled Amarii Evans hard at the basket. A flagrant foul was immediately called on Thomas. Then as it seemed like things were cooling off, Evans and Thomas were called for technical fouls.

The fourth quarter was incredible offensive basketball. Marion made 11 shots in a row to start the period including nine three-pointers. That helped Marion cut the Manual lead from 20 points to eight with five minutes left in the game.

Leavell was the main flamethrower for Marion. He caught fire in the final frame. He was 6-6 from beyond the arc in the quarter plus a pull-up jumper for a 7-7 fourth. It was an incredible performance especially considering his slow start to the game.

Manual’s offense didn’t slow down, either. TJ Waldon was aggressive all night for Manual. As Marion pressed, Waldon was often behind the defense. He dunked his way to 21 points. Manual was 8-9 from the field in the fourth. They also hit 11-15 free throws.

Manual escaped with the 104-93 victory. Courvoisier McCauley finished the game with 41 points and nine assists. TJ Waldon added 21 points in the win. Tim Leavell used a 20-point fourth quarter to score 37 for Marion. Cameron Black added 18 points on 6-10 three-point shooting.

Jaron Glenn controlled the paint for Manual. He had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Manual – Cameron Sembly 6 points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 4-6FT), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals, Courvouisier McCauley 41 points (10-20 FG, 7-12 3FG, 14-19 FT), 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, Jalen Johnson 11 points, Nathan Meriwether 7 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, Amarii Evans 4 points, TJ Waldon 21 points (8-11 FG), 2 assists, Jaron Glenn 14 points, 14 rebounds

Marion – Tim Leavel 37 points, (11-20 FG, 10-15 3FG, 5-6 FT), 5 assists, 4 turnovers, JK Thomas 9 points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3FG, 1-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, Gage Pinkerton 4 points, 3 rebounds, Xavier Fuller 2 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, Timmie Carpenter 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, David Anderson 7 points, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 rebounds, Cameron Black 18 points (6-10 3FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, Dre Aguilar 12 points, 5 rebounds, Darrick Jones 4 points, 3 rebounds