Jordan Lewis returns to her alma mater as the assistant women's basketball coach. Lewis graduated from Manhattan Christian in 2022 with a Biblical Leadership degree with an emphasis in counseling and intercultural studies. While at MCC, Coach Lewis played 3 years for the women's soccer team and 4 years for the basketball program, along with being involved with numerous groups around campus. In the last two years, playing under Coach Eckert, Lewis started every game and was in the top 10 in assist, averaging around 4.0apg. Coach Lewis is a 2x Scholar Athlete and in her senior season averaged 5.2 rebounds and 8.5 points per game. Coach Lewis will be involved in many area of the basketball program; player development, scouting reports, on court coaching as well as helping with recruiting and tutoring for the athletic programs. Coach Lewis is also helping out with the Cross Country program.
Originally from Nowata, Oklahoma, Lewis will be earning her masters in Social Work at Washburn University.
This summer, head coach Mindy Eckert will be host a skills camp and an elite camps, this June on the campus of Manhattan Christian College.
The following registration is now open for the following two camps:
Skills Camp: June 13th & 14th from 9am to 12pm for Girls entering into 5th-8th grade
Elite Camp: June 15th & 16th from 9am to 12pm for Girls entering into 9th-12th grade
Cost for Camp: $75.00 a kid
Checks can be sent to:
Women's Basketball-Coach Mindy Eckert
Manhattan Christian College
1415 Anderson Ave
Manhattan, KS 66502
Or Venmo; search for @CoachEckert33
Any question please reach out to Head Coach Mindy Eckert (mindy.eckert@mccks.edu)
For registration click here
The Manhattan Christian College Lady Thunder finished up their season back on February 24, in the Southwest Region Tournament in Overland Park. As many teams do, this year was filled with many highs and lows but saw lots of improvement as a team and individually throughout it all.
In year two under head coach Mindy Eckert, MCC finished with an over all record of 8-16, a three game improvement from last season. The first half of the season was loaded with many DII and NAIA teams, where the Lady Thunder struggled at times but there was light at the end of the tunnel following the Thanksgiving break. December saw games with NCCAA Southwest Region foes Dallas Christian, 2022 NCCAA DII Runner-up Arlington Baptist and Kansas Christian College. Even though MCC came up on the losing side of these games, there was a different feel and level of play the ladies brought in these games.
"The first semester was tough, and with a pretty young team you could see their struggles and how upset each of them were. So those early months were more about building their confidence and reassuring the team that we would be okay, this is going to pay off come conference time," stated Eckert.
From a 2-9 record last season and finishing in last place during the regular season, Manhattan saw big strides this season in the Midwest Christian Conference. Finishing with a 6-6 overall conference record the Lady Thunder jumped up to finish in 4th place. Another year of limited numbers due to injuries, the ladies still came out each night and fought hard. Leading the charge for MCC was the combination of sophomore Roni Harris (20.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.3apg) and Kayleigh Mannering (19.1ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.7apg). Harris was named to the All-Conference Second Team while Mannering was a 2x NCCAA DII Student-Athlete of the Week and was named to the All-Conference First Team. Senior Jordan Lewis finished her career at Manhattan Christian averaging 8.5ppg, 5.2rpg and 3.6apg. Lewis brought great leadership as well as experience that was a big help for the freshman this past year.
"We had many highs and some pretty low, lows. But I think the challenges these young ladies faced just brought them closer as a team. They fueled each other tanks with so much positive support. We many not have ended the season we envisioned for ourselves but the bond and deeper faith they each formed, as a coach was just amazing to see up close," commented Eckert.
After roaring finishes to the regular season conference schedules the men's and Women's basketball teams hit the road this coming weekend for the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament being held on the campus of Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Mo. The tournament will begin with quarterfinal action on Thursday February 17 and conclude with championship Saturday on February 19.
On the women's side of the bracket, the Lady Thunder find themselves as the #4 overall seed after finishing the regular season 6-6 in conference play. Manhattan is coming off of a fiery finish to the regular season winning three of their last four conference games with the only blemish coming on the road to the regular season conference champion, Ozark Christian College. MCC is led by the high scoring dynamic duo of sophomores Roni Harris (20.2 ppg) and Kayleigh Mannering (19.8 ppg). The Lady Thunder open up tournament play on Thursday at 6:00 pm as they take on the Lady Eagles from Faith Baptist Bible College. MCC defeated FBBC twice during the regular season. Should the Thunder advance they would take on the #1 seeded Lady Ambassadors from Ozark Christian on Friday at 6:00 pm. Should MCC lose at any point game times will be posted on their schedule online.
"We are excited to see how this group does this weekend," stated Head Coach Mindy Eckert. "I'm proud of what they've accomplished this year and they should be too."
The men's basketball team enters the tournament as the #1 overall seed after winning the regular season conference championship for the 18th time in school history. The win gives the team a bye heading into the weekend and they will await the winner of the #4 Central Christian vs #5 Faith Baptist game. MCC will play the winner at 8:00 pm on Friday night in Moberly, Mo. The Thunder come into the tournament with a balanced attack and ranked #5 nationally. They are led by senior Jordan Marshall (17.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and currently sit #3 in the country in assists per game at 17.7. Should MCC advance to the title game they would play at 7:00 pm on Saturday. Should they play in the third place game it would be at 3:00 pm on Saturday.
"This team has come together over the last several weeks and has been a joy to be around. They continually play for one another and I'm excited to see how they finish this conference season," stated Head Coach Jordan Strom.
Final Women's Basketball Conference Standings:
1. Ozark Christian
2. Barclay College
3. Emmaus Bible
4. Manhattan Christian
5. Faith Baptist
6. Central Christian
7. Calvary University
Final Men's Basketball Conference Standings:
1. Manhattan Christian
2. Barclay College
3. Ozark Christian
4. Central Christian
5. Faith Baptist
6. Emmaus Bible
7. Calvary University
The Manhattan Christian men and women's basketball teams pulled out a 4-0 weekend at home over two Midwest Christian College Conference teams. A Friday/Saturday double header saw MCC take on Emmaus Bible College and Faith Baptist Bible College.
Getting the weekend started, the Lady Thunder and the Lady Eagles took the floor were both seemed a little sluggish and struggled offensively for most of the night. The second half saw a back and forth contest, but Manhattan held their composer to pull out a 74-64 win. Sophomore Kayleigh Mannering lead the squad with 28 points, 24 rebounds and 9 assist. Sophomore Roni Harris added 24 points while off the bench Freshman Karrigan Dustan chipped in 13.
One the men's side Friday night, the Thunder were hungry to get on the floor as this was their first game in about a week. Getting up 13 early MCC never looked back. Manhattan shot 50 percent from the field in the first half where Emmaus shot 25, seeing a 44-18 halftime score. Senior Jordan Marshall lead all scores with 16, and Sophomore Jordan White added 10.
On Saturday, the women kickstarted the afternoon where once again both teams just couldn't things going offensively until late in the fourth quarter. Faith Baptist took an early lead but MCC got a few more shots to fall to go into half up 23-19. The second half was, for the Thunder too close for comfort, but with a lot of grit and faith late MCC prevailed 56-53. Not only did it cap off a 2-0 weekend but, Senior Jordan Lewis got to celebrate a win on her Senior Night. Harris lead all scoring with 21 and 4 steals. Mannering played another solid game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dustan chipped in 11 with Lewis added in 9 for the Thunder.
Rounding out the day, Manhattan and Faith men took to the floor. This contest started fairly close but MCC kept the lead and started to extend the lead late in the first half, getting up 12 to take a 37-25 halftime lead. By the second half, the Thunder were firing on all cylinders and got out to a 19 point lead. Scoring 43 points in the second half compared to the Eagles 29, MCC sailed on to win 80-54. Four players finished in double figures, lead by Marshall with 14, White added in 13 while Senior Jeff Butler chipped in 10. Off the bench Sophomore Fred Handy scored 11 and pulled down 7 boards.
With this weekends wins, the women move to 5-10 overall record and a 4-3 MCCC record. For the men, they go to 11-6 overall and 5-0 in conference. Both teams are back on the court this Tuesday, January 25, where they will host Barclay College. Women's tipoff time is set for 5pm with the men to follow.
