Basketball Gears Up for Rockhurst Rivalry Game

The most highly anticipated matchup of the season if finally upon us, and people couldn’t be more excited. Fans will look forward to a high-scoring, action-packed game when Coach Hair and company go up against one of the toughest teams in the city.

“We just gotta execute our game plan on offense,” said Coach Hair. “Execute on offense, and execute on defense.”

Hair emphasized how the team will have to keep a clear head on the court and deal with the pressure, despite the magnitude of a game like this. East and Rockhurst both enter tonight’s game with seven wins apiece, with five and 10 losses respectively.

Rockhurst is led in points this season by senior Cartier Dean, who averages 11.1 points per game. The Hawklets are a well-oiled machine, going into tonight’s matchup with five more games under their belt than the Lancers. Coach Hair doesn’t think anything of this advantage in experience.

“I don’t think there’s a huge advantage in that,” said Hair. “Like anything, eventually it becomes just another game.”

Hair is confident in the strengths of the Lancer offense, who have been averaging over 60 points per game so far this season.

Hair will look to the senior leadership of the team to lead the Lancers to victory. An especially vital piece of the puzzle this season has been senior Lucas Jones, the brick wall of a center who Coach Hair described as “a double-double machine”. The Lancers will also have to count on some newer players on the varsity squad like sophomore Zeb Vermillion and junior Mark Ward. Both Ward and Vermillion have come off the bench for the Lancers to put up big numbers.

The Lancers are now ranked number 11 in the tough state of Kansas, while the Hawklets are ranked 46th in Missouri. Both teams are fast-paced, high intensity offenses, complemented by rigid and aggressive defenses. This could turn out to be a pivotal game in the season for both squads, and it is promised to be an exciting four quarters of basketball.