The varsity boys basketball team’s 74-52 victory over Lee’s Summit West High School on Tuesday wasn’t just a dominant victory for the team, but a statement for the team and the players on senior night.
All four seniors: Jakobe Hicks, Kennison Stone, Aiydan Byrd and Will Hansen were recognized before the game. But as it was time for the start of the game, head coach Chris Neff made a bold move putting the four seniors out on center court, including Hansen who missed a majority of the season due to a tear in his ACL, making a play for a loose ball earlier in the season.
He is now recovering from a surgery conducted on Thursday. Despite the injury, the decision was made to get Hansen on the court momentarily to honor him on senior night, before walking off the court to an ovation from the crowd and embraces from his teammates as he was subbed out for junior Tra’Veon Moore.
“It meant a lot just going out there one more time with them after being injured,“ Hansen said. “I think the last time was hard mainly because I didn’t know it was going to be my last game.”
Lee’s Summit West High School started with the ball to begin the game, but the action would begin with a poke and steal from junior Jackson Smith, leading to a footrace between him and the defender, which was capped off by a layup off the glass for the first score of the game. From that point, the team did not look back and did not give up a lead for the entirety of the game. This senior night matchup was weaved with moments from all the seniors, with Hicks’ three-point barrage in the first half, Stone’s 20-plus point game, Byrd’s fast-break dunk and one of the most unexpected shots in the game coming from Hansen.
“I think they appreciate it, just the smile on their face and the joy of being a part of something they probably envisioned for themselves and dreamed about,” Neff said. “And it came true in front of their peers and family members.”
For Neff, senior night was just as important to him as it was to the players. Neff has coached Staley through 200 career wins which he was recognized for before the game, along with 22 years of coaching in his pocket and never recalled losing on senior night.
“It’s one of the most important nights of the year,” Neff said. “It’s always been that way.”
Late in the game, with the team’s lead growing to more than 20 in the second half after a rampant Staley offense taking over the game, another move was made to put Hansen back in with the safety net of a large lead. As the team drew back to play defense, Hansen stayed back on their side of the court, restricted by his injury to move at the pace necessary for defense. The team was then forced to play four on five defense, until a missed three was rebounded by Stone and thrown deep down the court into the hands of Hansen on the corner with nobody around and Hansen would drain the three, sending the student section into crazed celebration.
“I had everybody beg me to shoot the ball; I loved it,” Hansen said. “I think it’s probably the most meaningful shot I ever had.”
With their last home game played and a tough loss to an 18-4 North Kansas City High School team, they will hop on the bus for one more regular season game before heading into the playoffs. They will use this opportunity to build momentum against another difficult opponent, as they face off against Lee’s Summit High School on Friday. After a big win on an important night, the team is feeling loose and confident going into the thick of the season.
