With heart bigger than height, Gary Manso helps Oak Forest stun Hillcrest for conference share. ‘Feels great.’

As a slender 5-foot-8 senior guard, Oak Forest’s Gary Manso is almost always the smallest player on the basketball court.

But Manso consistently pulls rebounds away from taller players, scores inside and makes plays that amaze his teammates. And he believes the secret to his success is simple.

“It’s all about heart,” Manso said. “It’s all about putting in the effort. I’m scrappy and I’ve got a lot of heart.”

His heart and hustle led the Bengals to one of the biggest wins in program history Tuesday night. Manso scored 10 points and host Oak Forest secured a share of the South Suburban Blue title by holding off Hillcrest 49-46.

Neiko LeFlore scored 14 points to pace the Bengals (21-9, 12-1), who won the program’s first conference title since 2019-20 and only the second since 1987.

Hayden Noha added nine points and seven rebounds, while Enoch Olukolade tallied seven points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots for Oak Forest, which finished just 14-17 last season.

“I’m so excited, man,” Manso said. “After coming from a long year last year, coming back and winning conference this year, I love it. It feels great.”

Jamir Ratliff scored 15 points to lead Hillcrest (19-8, 12-1). Ja’Sean Greene contributed 11 points and Jamari Thomas followed with eight. Terrence Richardson totaled eight points and 14 rebounds.

Manso, though, had to watch the frantic finish from the bench after fouling out with 14 seconds left.

The Bengals thought they had won as the clock ran out after Hillcrest missed a 3-pointer. The student section was starting to storm the floor before referees ruled the ball had gone out of bounds off Oak Forest with two seconds left, giving the Hawks the ball on the baseline.

Ratliff got a good look at a game-tying 3-pointer but it rimmed out and the Bengals’ celebration was on for real.

“It was nerve-racking,” Manso said. “I was a little scared at first, but we sealed the deal and that’s all that matters.”

Not only is the conference title historic for the Bengals, Oak Forest coach Tyshaun Cobbs pointed out another rarity.

“They told me we hadn’t beaten Hillcrest since 1987,” Cobbs said. “When I got here, it was one of my goals to end that streak.”

Manso did many things to help the Bengals do it.

A highlight came early in the third quarter when an Oak Forest player missed a shot and the whole team, aside from Manso, started running back on defense. A Hillcrest rebound appeared to be inevitable.

Instead, Manso ripped the ball away from a player nearly a foot taller than him and scored on a putback.

“That play right there sums up Gary Manso,” Cobbs said. “His whole career. It doesn’t matter how tall you are or how much weight you have over him. He’s just really crafty. He’s a special player.

“It’s a running joke here that if Gary was 6-foot-2, he’d be an all-state basketball player.”

LeFlore confirmed he’s never surprised when Manso does something spectacular.

“Gary does a lot of unhuman things, I’m not going to lie,” LeFlore said. “He’s just so tough.”

And so were all of the Bengals, who fought back from a 25-21 halftime deficit, built a 41-36 lead after three quarters and weathered a late flurry from the Hawks.

“This win means a lot,” Manso said. “It shows how much pride we have, especially this year. We believe.”

The Bengals head into the playoffs as the second seed in the Class 3A Hinsdale South Sectional, looking to make more history.

Cobbs knows his point guard is the team’s heart and soul — and yes, it’s a big heart.

“Gary Manso’s been in the program for four years,” Cobbs said. “He’s watched the bad days. He was coming into the summer camps with coach (Matt) Manzke before I got the job.

“I’m just glad he’s able to put a conference championship up on that banner and be a legend.”