Gallery: Boys Varsity Basketball Falls to Rockhurst 56-51 

The SM East Lancers won the opening tipoff versus the Rockhurst Hawklets, getting the ball to senior Stephen Hlobik, then finding senior Paxton Ochs who scored the game's opening basket, less than five seconds into the game. The Hawklets came from the opposite side of the court and missed their first shot, and on the Lancers’ next possession, found junior Brooks Dillion on the wing. Dillon scored his first three-point shot of the quarter, giving the Lancers a lead of 5-0. The game was played at Municipal Auditorium for the first time in the history of the State Line Showdown, marking the first time the matchup had been hosted at a venue other than Shawnee Mission East or Rockhurst High School, on Friday, Jan. 30.

The teams continued to trade baskets in the first quarter, with Dillion connecting on another three-pointer from the corner towards the end of the quarter. 

Both teams slowed down in the second quarter, with the Hawklets outscoring the Lancers 8-5 despite the scoring dip. The Lancers saw the end of senior starter Vince Kopp’s return off the bench after missing the last three games due to an ankle injury. The Lancers trailed leading into halftime 25-22. 

At halftime, the Lancer Dancers debuted their hip-hop performance routine, and the cheer team also performed, with senior Jack Reeves Shrine Bowl nomination being recognized at center court at the end of the half. 

Hlobik led the Lancers in the third quarter, scoring seven of his 12 points in the game. Hlobik's scoring helped SM East score 17 points in the quarter, matching Rockhurst as the teams remained within three points of each other heading into the fourth quarter. Rockhurst held a 42–39 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Between the third and fourth quarters, SM East was announced as the winner of the Chick-fil-A Coaches vs. Cancer Challenge. Both schools raised money in honor of Lindsay Zubeck, the mother of sophomore varsity basketball player Canon Zubeck.

The fourth quarter remained close between the two teams, with the lead changing multiple times. Senior and forward Quentin Ochs gave the Lancers the lead in the late fourth quarter, driving to the basket, finishing through contact to tie the game and earning an opportunity at the free throw line to put the Lancers up one point with 3:40 left on the clock, but missed the free throw. The Hawklets responded by taking the ball back to the other end and regaining the lead, which they kept for the rest of the game. 

The Lancers fell to the Hawklets, 56-51. 

The next boys’ varsity basketball game will take place at Gardner Edgerton at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Check out this gallery on Harbie Photo to purchase pictures from this event by clicking the link below:

1.30.26 Varsity Basketball vs Rockhurst