For the third time in school history the Hanover Wildcat boys basketball team was looking to win back-to-back State titles having accomplished the feat in 1998 and 1999, along with 2009 and 2010. But in order to accomplish that feat for the third time they would need to beat South Gray the same team they beat last year in the State title game but this time it was the Rebels of South Gray getting revenge and topping Hanover 65-54 giving the Wildcats a State runner-up finish. 

South Gray opened the contest solidly leading 17-14 over Hanover and the Wildcats found themselves down 35-27 at the half. By the end of the third quarter South Gray extend their lead out by six points but Hanover did not go away cutting the lead to five in the fourth quarter despite struggling to rebound the ball (38-19 rebounds in favor of South Gray). The Wildcats were unable to fully overcome the deficit and South Gray finished out the game to earn the 65-54 win. 

In the loss Daiken Stallbaumer led Hanover with 16 points, while Carter Bruna tallied 11 points and Thomas Atkins recorded 10 points. 

Hanover opened State with a 65-44 first round win over Rawlins County and then came back to beat Twin Valley League foe Centralia in the Semifinals 74-73 in Overtime but finished the season with a tough 65-54 loss to South Gray in the title game. 

Wildcats wrapped the season with a 22-2 record and their third second place finish at State in school history and fourth straight Top four finish at State.