With Manheim Central's size - or lack of height - and playing a team like Lower Dauphin (with plenty of talent, and tall guys), Barons' coach Charlie Fisher knew his team did not have to be perfect, but they had to be better than good.

Unfortunately, the Barons' shots did not fall, and Manheim dropped a 59-42 decision to the Falcons in a District Three Class 5A quarterfinal game on March 4 at Lower Dauphin.

The loss snapped the Barons seven game winning streak and ended their season with a 13-6 record. Four of the six losses were by six points or less. By reaching the quarterfinals, Fisher earned his first career playoff win (he won a league game while head coach at Ephrata).

The Barons started off slow against the Falcons, missing a lot of open shots, including five layups. MC trailed 16-8 after the first quarter. The second quarter was back and forth with LD getting a lot of buckets in the transition game and Manheim still missing a lot of shots. The Barons trailed 30-17 at halftime.

"Believe it or not, we played well, but couldn't hit anything, couldn't make a shot," Fisher said. "Part of it was nervousness, part was their (Lower Dauphin) length. They have some tall guys."

Fisher said the Falcons starting front line was 6-foot-7, 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-5. Lower Dauphin was very aggressive and took advantage of the Barons' mistakes. The Falcons caused turnovers that led to fast break points.

Sophomore Trey Grube led the Barons with 17 points, nine coming in the second half and six in the third quarter. Grube, who averaged 17 points this season, nailed three 3-pointers in the game. Junior point guard Judd Novak, who averaged seven points, seven assists and six rebounds a game, added eight points, four coming in the fourth quarter. Senior big man Wyatt Becker netted eight points, six coming in the first half.

Though they could not find any kind of rhythm, the Barons chipped away at an 18-point deficit halfway through the third quarter and cut the Falcons' lead to 10 with four minutes remaining in the game. Looking to cut further into the lead and swing momentum, the Barons had the ball and were looking to run a set play. LD's point guard stole the ball and went in for a layup, essentially taking the air out the Barons' balloon.

"We had the momentum shifting and then that steal came and that was that," Fisher said. "Our guys were good. I have nothing bad to say. The game played out how we wanted. We just couldn't make shots."

The team missed a lot of free throws as well, and many of the misses came at the worst times, Fisher said. The Barons were 2-for-13 from the foul line. They missed four free throws early in the game and missed seven late during a time when they tried to sneak back into the contest.

Manheim, normally shooting about 50% from the field, shot about 30% against the Falcons and about 30% from 3-point range. Despite the poor shooting, Fisher said Grube, Novak and Cam Eberly played extremely well.

Fisher, who played seven players late in the season, will return three finesse guys in Grube, a do everything player and scorer; Novak, a strong point guard; and Collin Thompson, a junior shooter. Bringing back his point guard and leading scorer and having and the junior varsity finish with a 13-4 record this year gives him good tools to work with for next season.

He said he will miss Becker, Cam Eberly and Logan Shull's strong defense. Eberly's ability to get in the lane will be difficult to replace on offense, Fisher said. Matt Siegrist, a knock down shooter, will also be missed. MC will need to replace rebounds and defense, Fisher added.

The hardest part about seeing the season end, Fisher said, was no more time playing and practicing together. He will remember this group for the pure enjoyment they displayed on the hardwood.

"I remember how awesome it was being with everyone and how good we got along," Fisher said "We looked forward to every practice and game and event. I am not sure if that had to do with playing during COVID-19 or just our team having awesome people. These guys truly loved hoops. It was an awesome experience."