Lawrence High isn't exactly surging into postseason.
After claiming the Capital City Classic title on Jan. 20, the Lions went 4-4 in the final eight games of the regular season to finish 14-6.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Lawrence High.
Radio: KLWN 1320 AM.
Previous meeting: LHS won 57-41 Feb. 14 at Olathe South.
Records: O-South 11-9. LHS 14-6.
"We started out the year strong and our expectations went up a little bit and I think everyone else who played us knew we were a better team and teams started playing us harder," said first-year boys basketball coach Chris Davis.
Despite the lackluster February, expectations remain high heading into the Class 6A sub-state tournament, which opens tonight at LHS. The Lions will play Olathe South (11-9) at 6 p.m. in the first of two semifinal games.
Defending state champion and top-seeded Leavenworth (17-3) will meet bottom seed Free State (9-11) in the nightcap, set for approximately 7:45 p.m.
The Lions have thrived in tournaments this season. LHS is 6-0 in tourneys, capturing the Blue Valley Shootout and Capital Classic.
Injuries and illnesses, though, have dogged LHS the past month, often damaging the Lions' depth, which had been a strength for LHS early.
"Hopefully we'll be at full strength and play together as a team and if we do that we can beat anybody in the state," said LHS senior point guard Devin McAnderson, who averages 6.2 points and 3.1 assists a game.
Junior guards Stephen Vinson (12.4) and D.J. Watkins (12.3) lead the Lions in scoring. Vinson scored a game-high 14 points with four three-pointers in the Lions' 57-41 victory over Olathe South on Feb. 14. LHS jumped to a 16-2 lead and was never challenged by the Falcons, who suffered their worst loss of the season against the Lions.
The Lions, trying to qualify for the state tournament for first time since their championship season in 1995, hope to jump on the Falcons early again.
"We need to pick up the intensity and get focused," LHS senior center Martin deBoer said. "We can't get rattled so easy."
Other than the loss to Lawrence, the Falcons have been involved in several close games. The Falcons have played in 11 games decided by six points or less, including a one-point loss and three three-point losses.
The Falcons are coming off a 49-47 victory over Leavenworth on Friday, when sophomore Ryan Rundberg tipped in a shot at the buzzer. Runderg, a candidate for Sunflower League sophomore of the year honors, scored a game-high 21 points 10 in the fourth quarter in the win over Leavenworth.
O-South is coached by John McFall, who has a 148-56 record with five state appearances, including the Class 6A state championship in 1997, in nine years with the Falcons. His overall record is 306-163.
Admission for the sub-state is $5 for adults and $4 for students kindergarten through 12. The admission also covers the cost of the second semifinal between Leavenworth and Free State.
The sub-state final is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Lions' gym. The sub-state winner advances to the Class 6A state tournament in Emporia next week.
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