Published on March 2, 2026 7:25 am
Last Updated on March 2, 2026 7:32 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
ALTAMONT — It was only fitting that Altamont High School win its own Class 1A Boys Basketball Regional on its home court Friday evening.
The Indians got to perform in front of the home crowd and get revenge on Webber Township at the same time.
Webber had beaten Altamont back in 2024 for a regional championship. Now it was Altamont’s turn as the Indians won 68-58.
In the opening quarter, both teams scored 19 points as Cooper McManaway hit two regular baskets and a three-pointer for seven while Zaine Miller connected on two three-pointers and Parker Bell hit one from beyond the arc. Jacob Johnson got in the mix with a regular basket and a free throw.
Nathaniel Marlow was the big gun for Webber Township. He connected on 10 of his team’s 19 opening quarter points and went on a tear in the second period, scoring all 20 of his team’s points for 30 by halftime.
Meanwhile, Miller hit two more three-pointers and Cooper Pals another one to keep Altamont in the mix.
Some halftime strategizing by Coach John Niebrugge got the Indians on the defensive track when it came to Marlow. They held him to only one basket, a three-pointer in the third period and only eight more points in the final quarter.
And Altamont went on the offensive, outscoring Webber by a 14-7 third quarter count and finishing with a 34-19 second half run.
The Indians put aside the loss back in 2024 and put on a scoring show in that second half.
Kade Milleville, who tallied on only one basket in the first half, went on a run with three baskets in the third quarter and three of four at the line for nine while he hit four baskets and two free throws in the final quarter for 10.
Three players connected for double figures for the winners. K. Milleville hit eight field goals and was six of eight at the line for 22 while Miller connected on five field goals, four from three-point range, and three of four at the line for 17. McManaway added 13 on five field goals, one a three-pointer, and was two of three at the line.
Milleville finished with five assists in the contest while Miller led the way in rebounds with eight while McManaway added seven.
Webber was led by N. Marlow with 15 field goals, five of those three-pointers, and six of seven at the line for 41.
Coach Niebrugge’s squad won its second regional championship in the past four years and now has a five-game winning streak.
Tuscola won its own regional over Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg in the championship game Friday, 62-34.
Altamont advances to face Tuscola at the Class 1A Macon Meridian Sectional Tuesday with a 23-10 record. Game time is 7 p.m. and can be heard on 979XFM.
In the other contest at the sectional, Lawrenceville faces Casey-Westfield Wednesday at 7 p.m. Lawrenceville won the North Clay Regional by edging the North Clay Cardinals, 59-52 in the title contest Friday evening.
The winners will advance to the sectional championship game at 7 p.m. Friday.
Class 1A Altamont Regional
Championship
WEBBER TOWNSHIP (58)
Richardson 0-0 — 0, Jones 1-0 — 2, J. Marlow 4-0 — 8, Loman 0-0 — 0, Bain 0-0 — 0, Dalby 3-1 — 7, Tate 0-0 — 0, N. Marlow 15-6 — 41. TOTALS 23 FG, 7 FT.
ALTAMONT (68)
Co. Pals 2-0 — 5, McManaway 5-2 — 13, Lurkins 0-0 — 0, K. Milleville 8-6 — 22, Bell 2-0 — 6, Johnson 2-1 — 5, Miller 5-3 — 17. TOTALS 24 FG, 12 FT.
Webber Township 19 20 7 12 — 58
Altamont 19 15 14 20 — 68
3-point FG — Webber Township 5 (N. Marlow 5), Altamont 8 (Miller 4, Bell 2, McManaway 1, Co. Pals 1).