NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers, paced by senior Savannah Courtney (Lawrenceburg, Ky. / Franklin County), claimed their season-opener on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Manchester, 69-65.
 
Courtney tied a game-high 15 points while dishing out three assists. Freshman Addie Gardner (Anderson, Ind. / Frankton) joined her in double figures with a career-best 11 points.
 
Hanover surged ahead early in the contest as a freshman Reese Sexton (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) three-pointer gave the Blue and Red the 5-3 lead. However, Manchester responded with a pair of back-to-back scores including a connection at the free-throw line with 2:55 remaining in the period to cut the deficit to 12-11. But the Panthers remained poise as freshman Skylar Sahatjian (Prospect, Ky. / South Oldham) showed her range with a three-pointer that extend the lead to 15-11. Hanover would close out the first quarter with the 20-15 advantage following a Sahatjian old fashion three-point play.
 
The Panthers forged ahead in the second period as junior Lexi Riggles (Danville, Ind. / Danville Community) made her way into the score's column with a long range ball putting HC on top 23-15. The excitement didn't last long as the Spartans slowly chipped at the lead pulling within 25-23 at the midway point in the period. But again, the Panthers long range ball dealt clutch as Gardner connected from behind the arc. The Blue and Red fought tough late into the period as a fastbreak layup as time expired gave them the 37-33 halftime advantage.
 
The third period saw the Panthers lead by as many as 10 points as a sophomore Callie Wilder (North Vernon, Ind. / Jennings County) layup at the 5:57 mark pushed the difference to 47-37. Once again, Manchester continued to battle back as a free-throw at the 2:16 mark pulled them back within 47-42. Wilder got the final say in the period as she sank a free-throw for Hanover that gave them the slight 48-42 edge entering the final stanza.
 
Wilder carried the momentum into the final period as she hit a jumper that sparked a short Panther run with 9:33 remaining in the contest. Hanover continued to dominate late into the matchup as success at the free-throw line with 4:14 remaining pushed the lead to 59-47. However, Manchester once again responded using a 7-0 run with just over a minute remaining to pull within 62-59. The Panthers once again remained poise and were able to secure the victory at the free-throw line as freshman Maddi Sears (Carmel, Ind. / University) and junior Liz Tynan (Columbus, Ind. / Columbus North) sank a pair of back-to-back free-throws that secured the season-opening victory, 69-65.
 
Hanover returns to the hardwood on Thursday, January 14 when they welcome Mount St. Joseph to Collier Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.