Print edition: 
For the first time in a while, the shoe was on the other foot for Joe Auer and Mitch Fiegel.
That shoe was a football cleat.
Heights and Collegiate have been two of the state's most competitive high school basketball programs over the last couple of years.
However, the two defending champions have had to deal with not practicing with a full team because of the success of their football programs.
Collegiate defeated Marysville on Saturday for the Class 3A championship. Heights lost to Olathe North in the Class 6A final.
While Auer at Heights was happy to see coach Rick Wheeler and the football program excel, it meant he'd be without projected starters Dreamius Smith and Evan Wessel, though Wessel's out anyway with a broken hand.
Heights, the preseason No. 1 in Class 6A, opens the season tonight at No. 2 East.
"We want our kids to compete for championships in multiple sports," Auer said. "It's easier said than done, though. I'm used to having my guys here. Now, I guess I have to practice what I preach."
The Falcons, the reigning Class 6A champions, went undefeated in the City League last season. And while the Falcons return several key contributors, they have yet to develop the chemistry it takes to be at a championship level.
"We're not going to be up to speed and we probably won't get caught up until after Christmas, but that's OK," Auer said. "We'll be a lot different team in February than we will be in December."
Heights won't get any sympathy from Collegiate.
Though Auer had his own problems because of postseason football, Fiegel had it even worse.
Collegiate has been without four of its five starters, as well as a few key contributors off the bench.
Fiegel chooses to look at the bright side of having just 12 kids, six freshmen, on the court for practice.
"We've been able to take these 12 kids and give them a lot of coaching," Fiegel said. "They've gotten attention that they probably wouldn't have gotten with everyone here."
Ranked No. 1 in 3A, Collegiate opens with Hillsboro tonight.
Auer and Fiegel know that it will take some time to get their teams together.
"We just have to do our best to overcome it," Fiegel said. "You want your team to thrive in adversity and this is it. It doesn't matter how long you've had to get ready, there is a game on Friday night."
