When the confetti fell in 2013, the Rockhurst Hawklets basketball team hoisted the Missouri State Championship trophy. Since then, it has been a grind to return to that standard. The Hawklets have coupled together a few good finishes since their last state championship, and this year could be the latest. However, through a balance of talent and experience, this year’s team excites new hopes of a title.
Last year, the Hawklets came up short again in the playoffs, falling 58-48 to Central (Springfield) in sectionals. They started this season like they were trying to avenge that exit. The Hawklets went 10-1 through their first 11 games. Led by an insistent defense, they outscored opponents by 232 points.
“We like to think that we are a defensive team first,” head coach Billy Thomas said. “Our focus on the defensive end has contributed greatly to our success so far.”
Last year, Rockhurst started the season 7-4 with losses to Raytown and Lee’s Summit West, teams Rockhurst beat by more than 20 this year. The Hawklets currently stand at 14-3, with one of their losses being to Oak Park, the No. 1 team in Missouri Class 6, according to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA). The Hawklets’ two other losses were to 11-6 Lee’s Summit and 11-4 North Kansas City.
After losing two of their top three scorers in Brady Maher and Andrew Sprague, Rockhurst has increased its points per game scoring output by almost 14 this year.
“The last two years we were just really young,” junior guard Cohen Robinson said, “but now… we just have a lot more experience.”
For the Hawklets, the scoring has been funneled through their big men.
6-foot-7 senior Callen Eskew has seen his points per game (ppg) shoot from 5.9 last year to 15.4 this year. He credits his increase in production to the work he put in during the offseason.
“[A lot of] focusing on my touch, finishing around the basket, and getting better looks in the paint.”
Eskew’s dominance has drawn the allure of many around Missouri.
“I think Callen’s the most improved player around in Kansas City,” Robinson said, “He’s probably going to be district player of the year.”
Sophomore Kemper Roberts has also broken out this year. His 7.8 points per game has been good for fourth on the team.
Finally, junior Kevin Sullivan has continued his dominant presence inside. At 6-foot-6, Sullivan has averaged over 10 PPG with the second most rebounds on the team behind Eskew.
Guards Cohen Robinson, Max Moylan and George Effertz have also contributed to the steady flow of Rockhurst scoring this year. The trio has been reliable for the Hawklets, only missing five out of 39 games this season. Robinson is third on the team with 8.0 ppg. Moylan and Effertz have contributed 7.2 and 4.8 ppg, respectively. Defensively, Robinson and Moylan have disrupted other teams as well. Both players are averaging at least one steal per game.
“They bring great leadership,” Eskew said, “They make great passes. They’re great shooters, drivers. I trust them with all of their [abilities].”
Rockhurst’s newfound balance has been an apparent reason for the team’s breakout. Robinson sums it up simply.
“We’re just much better all-around as a team.”
This year’s start for Rockhurst has been the best since the 2018-2019 season, in which the Hawklets rattled off 20 straight wins to begin the season. Rockhurst’s early success has raised the standards for this year and drawn comparisons of seasons like 2018-2019 and 2012-2013.
However, if the Hawklets want to reach those levels of success, they will need to be able to compete with great teams. In Rockhurst’s 2012-2013 state championship season, the Hawklets beat eventual state runner-up De Smet Jesuit in January before beating them again in the state championship. This year, Rockhurst struggled against No. 1 Oak Park, falling 84-54.
“I just don’t think we competed very well,” Robinson said when asked about the game. “There just wasn’t a lot of fight.”
The early season battle was a test for Rockhurst, one they didn’t pass. If this year’s team wants to go the distance they will have to be able to battle with the best teams in the state.
“Our goal was never to go undefeated,” Thomas said. “Our goal is just to continue to get better.”
The Missouri postseason starts in early March, but Rockhurst still has some challenging opponents to face. On Feb. 8, Rockhurst will travel to Blue Valley Northwest. According to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, the Huskies are ranked 10th in the state of Kansas and are no stranger to success, having won state championships in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023. Against St. Thomas Aquinas, the Huskies won by 12. Rockhurst beat Aquinas by one when those teams squared off two weeks ago.
Creighton Prep will be another interesting test for the Hawklets. Rockhurst will make the trip to Omaha on Feb. 15 to challenge the Junior Jays, who are currently 12-4. Creighton Prep Beat the Hawklets 61-49 last year.
Overall, Rockhurst has largely proven they can be a consistent team. Nevertheless, if the team has aspirations of a new banner, they will have to prove that they can take on the big dogs in Missouri, something the team believes they can do.
“We’re good enough to beat anybody,” Eskew said. “We just have to keep getting better.”
A potential rematch with Oak Park looms in the Missouri state semifinals, if Rockhurst can reach that point. Only time will tell if the Hawklets can break the 12-year drought of state championships, but so far, Rockhurst basketball has certainly set themselves up for a shot at history.
