Freed-Hardeman Lions reflect on winning national championship

March 27, 2024

Ryan Hodges,

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As we reported to you Tuesday night, March 26th, the Freed-Hardeman men’s basketball team won the national championship, we spoke with some fans, players, and coaches about the season.

Hundreds of fans traveled to Kansas City to cheer on the Freed-Hardeman lions, including the baseball team.

They are always at the home games, cheering louder than anyone in the stadium, and continued that tradition here in Kansas City.

We talked with Christian Pressley, a senior on the baseball team, about what it means to them to show up to these games and cheer as loud as they can.

“It’s been great. They support us, so we try to come out here and support them as much as we can. We love it and we know they love it. We just feel like we can bring the home crowd feeling here,” said Pressley.

Ryley McClaran, a junior for the Freed-Hardeman lions and a sharpshooter, lit it up all season and it was no different for this game.

The national championship game actually fell on his birthday.

We were able to catch up with Ryley after the game to get his thoughts on how today was.

“It doesn’t get better than this. Just the environment and the atmosphere and doing it with the best people, the best teammates, and the best coaches I can ask for. It was amazing and I doubt any birthday could top this,” said McClaran.

Head Coach Drew Stutts talked to us after the game about how tough their team was and how they had to fight all season long to make it to this national championship.

He talked to us about what it takes for a team to come together to win a national championship.

“I think it starts with accountability. That’s not a word that a lot of people want to use right now, but it’s something that we pride ourselves on. Player to player, coach to player. I expect them to hold me accountable to the expectations that they have and vice versa. That’s real. Right now there’s not a lot of realness sometimes. I just feel like we got a real team, we got a real family, and a real culture,” said Stutts.