MUNCIE — Morry Mannies wasn’t looking for something negative in particular. But as he surveyed the scene at Friday’s Central-Southside boys basketball game, the question did go through his mind. So he asked himself if anything he had seen at Friday’s event could be considered a negative.

The legendary Muncie broadcaster, who called Friday’s game, believes the answer is “no.” He enjoyed the pregame ceremony honoring former players from Central, Northside and Southside, that the event overall was great for unity. He thought officials from Central and Southside did a nice job putting together such an elaborate event.

He was impressed with the behavior of the students. He thought the game was played aggressively, with Southside attempting a rally before ultimately falling 72-55 to Central.

It was the last scheduled game in the series, with the two schools consolidating into one high school next year.

Mannies even enjoyed the postgame stragglers. As he took down his broadcast equipment, he couldn’t help but notice the fans who didn’t yet want to leave Muncie Fieldhouse, instead talking about the possibilities for next year’s team that could feature players from both Central and Southside.

“It crossed the boundaries of old and young,” Mannies said. “There were all ages, and all segments of the population were there. And I thought that was neat.”

No official attendance figure is available, but Central athletic director Chip Mehaffey said officials estimated the crowd at 6,200. That made the crowd one of the largest in Muncie Fieldhouse in recent years.

As the basketball rivalry series comes to a close and the two schools prepare to unite, Mannies said he believes fans will still hold on to their identities as Bearcats or Rebels. But he remains optimistic about the future as the games come to a close.

“I don’t think the rivalry is over. I think there will always be some rivalry about the days gone by,” Mannies said. “Of course, I’ve been optimistic from the word ‘go,’ as far as (how) the two schools (are) going to mesh together.”

One more time?

The IHSAA will hold its boys basketball tournament draw on Feb. 23, and fans will then learn their teams’ matchups in sectionals. Central and Southside are both in the Class 3A Southside Sectional, so another game this year could occur.

The two teams last met in the sectional tournament during the 2011-12 season in the semifinals, a game Central won 57-43.

Central is 6-3 this season and 4-0 against sectional opponents. Southside is 2-10 and 0-4 against teams within the sectional.

Correction

A photo on Page 1B of Saturday’s Star Press included a misidentified Central boys basketball player who was defending a Southside shot attempt. The player is Trenton Hatfield.

Contact prep sports reporter Sam Wilson at (765) 213-5807. Twitter: @SamWilsonTSP.