Down goes the Falcons. After winning 7 straight, the no. 1 ranked Staley Falcons fell to no. 14 North Kansas City Hornets in overtime, 62-55.
 
In a game that went to overtime, the roles were reversed from the first contest. The Falcons held a 29-25 lead at the break, and gradually lost it down the stretch. Despite 7 fourth quarter lead changes, the game found itself nodded at 47 a piece with 32.5 seconds left. The Falcons looked for the last shot, and were able to create one, as Kyan Evans weaved through the Hornet defense and forced a switch onto Dallas Whitney. He pulled it back out, lined up a step back jumper from deep. Whitney stayed with him, and was able to get a hand on the shot, deterring any chance at a regulation end.
 
And so there was overtime. 4 more minutes of basketball. The Hornets won the opening tip, and from then on orchestrated an offense to the tune of 15 points in just 4 minutes, most of which came at the line. Despite an 0/4 start, junior guard Alex Gunnels stepped up to sink 6 of his final 6 from the stripe, effectively shutting the door. The Hornet unit, shooting just 59 percent from the line, converted 9/10 of their looks in overtime.
 
The number 1 team cannot be put down easily, and none more apparent than this game. Evans used the Hornet press against them, drawing 2 fouls in overtime in the backcourt, converting 4 free throws and keeping the Falcons hope alive. However, with 11.4 seconds and trailing 60-55, Evans was unable to draw a foul on a contested look from behind the arc, the ball bounced out of bounds, and upon a successful inbound, the final was sealed.
 
Freshman guard Avian Webb made the difference in the second half for the Hornets, finishing with a career-high 33 points, including an array of difficult runners and floaters. Webb sealed the deal with the final 2 free throws. After the game, Webb credited his teammates, "I wanted to get them going. Once we did that, we knew we could win."
 
Evans would finish with 22 in the loss, and junior forwards Kayden Fish and Larry Porter would add 17 in aid to the cause.
 
In the first half, the Hornets did just enough to pull even with the Falcons, falling behind by as much as 8, before a late run pushed the deficit to just 29-25 going into the break. Webb scored 11 of his 33 in the first frame, leading the Hornets back into the battle in the second half.
 
The Falcons move on to play fellow conference rival no. 19 Park Hill South (14-8) on Friday. Whereas, the Hornets face Schlagle Wednesday night, and rematch no. 18 Oak Park (14-7), Friday night!