In an electrifying season opener, the Hesston College Larks men's basketball team edged out Metropolitan Community College, securing a thrilling 82-81 victory at home on November 1. The Larks set the tone early, leading 42-37 at halftime, but faced a relentless Metro team that fought back, outscoring Hesston in the second half. A game defined by seven lead changes, the Larks secured their victory as Jammial Hicks knocked down a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

Hicks was a standout for the Larks, contributing 25 points on efficient 9-of-16 shooting and going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe while also grabbing four rebounds and recording three steals. John Probey provided a significant impact with a double-double, tallying 18 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Terryon Stebbins played a well-rounded game, scoring seven points, collecting seven boards and dishing out four assists.

D'Angelo Dawkins was a defensive force, blocking three shots and scoring 10 points. On the offensive side, Christian Hammons chipped in with 11 points and three assists, despite the Larks' struggles with turnovers, totaling 24 as a team.

Metro's effort was spearheaded by Devonte Watson, who poured in 23 points and dished out five assists. Their sharp three-point shooting, hitting 69.2% from beyond the arc, kept them in contention throughout the game. However, Hesston's dominance on the boards, particularly with 41 rebounds compared to Metro's 26, proved to be a game-deciding factor.

The Larks' gritty win signals a promising start to their season, showcasing resilience and teamwork in a high-stakes matchup.