Hogan Prep runs past Shawnee Mission East in Hy-Vee Shootout

The Hogan Prep boys basketball team has not only survived, but thrived early in the season despite not having a single player that was taller than 6 feet 2.

The Rams made up for a lack of height again Saturday during an 88-74 victory over Shawnee Mission East in the Hy-Vee Shootout at Avila University. The Rams outrebounded the Lancers 33-23 and disrupted SM East’s offense with 14 steals.

“Unfortunately, we are vertically challenged, but we are blessed with quickness,” Hogan Prep coach Rob Heitman said.

The Rams quickly built up a 10-point lead in the first quarter, making four of their five three-pointers. They held an 11-point lead at halftime and expanded it to 24 in the fourth quarter. The Lancers then never got closer than nine points as Hogan shot 51.5 percent from the field for the game.

“To be honest with you, the last three or four games, we have not gotten off to a quick start,” Heitman said. “We knew (SM East) would come out with a sense of urgency after three tough losses in the Shawnee Mission North tournament and we would have to match that. I was really happy that our starters matched theirs.”

Damien Daniels led all scorers with 27 points for the Rams, 7-1. DaRon Davis added a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds and Kevaun Maull-Edwards chipped in 15.

Olathe East 81, Lincoln Prep 55

After a flat start, the Olathe East boys basketball team found its groove and rolled to an 81-55 victory against Lincoln Prep.

The game included four ties and five lead changes early.

“I thought we started a little flat, but we picked it up,” Olathe East coach Jim Super said. “We have so much more to work on and we can get so much better. That is our goal and we are off to a pretty good start.”

The Hawks, 4-1, are expecting another big boost once they get senior forward Josiah Talbert back on the court. He is recovering from a torn ligament in his toe, but will return after winter break.

“It’s been a bit of an adjustment playing without him because he has played so much with these guys for the last two years,” Super said. “With him out of the lineup we had to re-tool and guys had to pick up this and that so we’ve had growing pains. This is a good way to go into Christmas.”

Four Hawks finished in double figures, led by Dion Union with 21 points. He hit eight of his 11 shots from the field and was three of for on three-pointers. Cedric Roland scored 19, Cameron Hunter had 16 and Jack Hiller added 13.

Barstow 61, Eudora 40

With Eudora star Mitchell Ballock confined to the sideline, the Barstow boys basketball team topped the Cardinals 61-40.

The Knights led 18-4 by the end of the first quarter and held a double-digit lead for the majority of the game. They held the Cardinals to 28.9 percent from the field and forced 18 turnovers.

Barstow shot 42.5 percent, including eight of 20 from beyond the three-point line. The Knights had 13 steals and 13 assists to offset 11 turnovers.

Seniors Jeriah Horne and Shea Rush led Barstow with 17 points each.

Ballock, who underwent an off-season shoulder surgery, is not expected to return during his junior campaign. Ballock, a four-star recruit, has received a number of Big 12 scholarship offers, including from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State according to Rivals.com.

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 9:01 PM with the headline "Hogan Prep runs past Shawnee Mission East in Hy-Vee Shootout."