Neither the Lawrence High nor the Free State High boys basketball team is too concerned with winning tournaments this weekend.

Both would rather win the state tournament in March, not an early season affair in December.

So when the Firebirds travel to Emporia for the KVOE Tip-Off Classic today and the Lions go to Stilwell for the Blue Valley Shootout, both squads just want to keep improving as they head into the winter break.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt feel any pressure to go out and be giant-killers right now,â LHS coach Chris Davis said. âÂÂI donâÂÂt want to put any more pressure on this tournament than anything else. Really, itâÂÂs a litmus test to see where you are and move from there.âÂÂ

The Lions (1-0) will open with Ponca City, Okla., at 3:30 p.m., which also has played one game this season, beating Sand Springs, Okla., 55-35, on Tuesday.

Davis said Ponca City had good size and strength and liked to dictate tempo.

Uh, sounds like the Lions, coach.

âÂÂThis is a strong, physical team that wants to control the boards and play that kind of game,â Davis said. âÂÂIt sounds like weâÂÂre going to be matching up with a team thatâÂÂs a lot like us.âÂÂ

LHS beat Topeka High, 55-39, on Saturday by using a zone defense to force the Trojans into taking outside shots. If the Lions can do the same thing today, Davis said he liked the Lionsâ chances to advance to the semifinals at 6:45 p.m. on Friday.

FSHS (1-0) opened with a 63-56 victory over Topeka Washburn Rural on Friday and could play the Junior Blues again at Emporia — if the Firebirds get by Tulsa Science and Tech at 3:30 p.m. today.

Tulsa S&T, which used to be McLain High, is an enigma to FSHS coach Jack Schreiner, who knows only that the teamâÂÂs best player was kicked off this week because of a fight with the coach.

âÂÂAll we know is weâÂÂve got to play as hard as we can play, and weâÂÂll take care of things,â Schreiner said.

Besides, heâÂÂs got more important things to worry about.

Junior point guard Dain Dillingham hasnâÂÂt practiced all week because of a back sprain suffered against Washburn Rural.

âÂÂHe tried to practice, but he was still sore. HeâÂÂs a real question mark right now,â Schreiner said Wednesday.

If Dillingham canâÂÂt play, junior Adam Bellinder and sophomore Brady Morningstar would split time at point guard.

The Firebirds havenâÂÂt been very successful at Emporia, losing their first game the last two years. Still, with a talented group led by seniors Keith Wooden, Bijai Jones and junior Cole Douglas, Schreiner says he hopes they can end their streak of close losses.

âÂÂWeâÂÂve never been blown out, but weâÂÂve never gotten over the hump,â he said. âÂÂIf I knew what the answer was, I wouldâÂÂve fixed it three years ago. We just havenâÂÂt played as well as we should have.âÂÂ

Even if a poor outing ensues, Davis can attest to an early tournament not being important in the long run.

The Lions started last season 1-2, yet went 17-2 and earned a state tournament berth.

If Davis can get his team ready for the afternoon game, heâÂÂs ready to avenge that semifinal loss from last year.

âÂÂWhen you start pushing them two, three days in a row, they start beating up on each other and really get ready for the opponent,â Davis said.

The only problem is ensuring fans come to watch.

âÂÂIt usually doesnâÂÂt have the same atmosphere as the night game,â he said. âÂÂIt makes it difficult to get the fans there. PlayingâÂÂs not a problem because youâÂÂve been practicing about that time.âÂÂ