The Indianapolis City Tournament semifinal between Crispus Attucks and Manual came down to the final two possessions. Each team made fantastic plays to end the game. It was Courvoisier McCauley that made last call, though.

This was not expected to be a slow paced game. The two teams played at a pace that they are accustomed. Each team kept their foot on the gas pedal all night. Early it was Zac Owens for Attucks and Jalen Johnson for Manual providing most of the offense. Owens scored eight points right off the bat. Johnson was dialed in from the start as well. He was tough in the paint all game.

After a back and forth game for most of the first half, Manual used a spurt by McCauley and TJ Waldon to open a nine-point lead. That was the largest lead of the game. Manual took advantage of turnovers by Attucks to achieve that lead. Attucks finished with 17 turnovers. For a high possession game, that is not a huge number.

The second half was played like a Regional or Semi-State game. Nike Sibande and Jamal Harris elevated their games in the second half. Sibande scored 15 points in the third quarter to get Attucks back in the game. Harris was really tough on the offensive glass after halftime as well. Jalen Johnson remained strong for Manual. His play allowed Manual to take a one-point lead to the fourth quarter.

The largest lead in the fourth quarter was three points. Each possession had tension and high intensity. Every shot was challenged. Each pass was pressured. It was a great game with an incredible ending.

With the game tied, Manual was able to work a minute off the clock before Cameron Sembly hit a jumper in the middle of the lane with 47 seconds left. After Attucks had an empty possession, Manual extended its lead by hitting one of two free throws. Sibande grabbed the missed free throw and rushed to the other end for a layup.

Manual’s lead was one point with 17 seconds left coming out of a timeout. Sibande was able to come up with a steal on the inbounds pass. He pushed the ball up the court before finding Zac Owens for an open three-pointer in the corner. The shot was in and out a couple times before bouncing off the iron. The ball went out of bounds off of Manual, though.

Attucks head coach Chris Hawkins was able to draw up a baseline out of bounds play to get Sibande a layup. The score gave Attucks a one-point advantage with six seconds left. Manual quickly inbounded the ball as Cameron Sembly found McCauley as he crossed halfcourt. McCauley took contact as Attucks tried to take a charge. Despite that, McCauley hit a 32-footer as time expired to give Manual the 80-78 victory. (Here is video of the final sequence.)

McCauley didn’t have his best game as he went 9-26 from the field, but he was big in the fourth quarter and hit a fantastic shot to win the game. McCauley finished with 24 points.

Nike Sibande led all scorers with 30 points.

These teams could meet again in a loaded 3A sectional. That is great news for Indianapolis fans.

Manual will play Cathedral on Monday at Arsenal Tech for the Indianapolis City Tournament championship.

Manual – Cameron Sembly 4 points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; Amarii Evans 1 assist, 2 turnovers; Nathan Meriwether 6 points (0-2 FG, 6-8 FT), 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 4 steals; Jalen Johnson 22 points (11-16 FG), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 4 blocks, 1 steal; Courvouisier McCauley 24 points (9-26 FG, 2-8 3FG, 4-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 turnovers, 6 steals; TJ Waldon 12 points (5-7 FG); Jaron Glenn 12 points, 3 rebounds

Attucks – Teyon Scanlan 9 points (2-7 FG, 0-4 3FG, 5-6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, 2 steals; Alex Cooley 4 points (1-5FG, 2-2 FT), 1 assist, 6 turnovers, 1 steal; Jamal Harris 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 turnover; Zac Owens 13 points (6-12 FG, 0-3 3FG, 1-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 4 steals; Nike Sibande 30 points (11-22 FG, 4-13 3FG, 4-4 FT), 7 rebounds, 0 assist, 3 turnovers, 2 steals; Derrick Briscoe 5 points, Micah Poole 2 points, 3 assists; Kyle Beatty 2 points, 3 rebounds