One of five city bowlers to qualify for the Class 6A state tournament, Lawrence High senior Javier Lemmons has given the same advice to his teammates and friends from Free State.

“Don’t overthink it,” Lemmons said.

It’ll be the third and final trip to state for Lemmons, where he’s had plenty of success. He placed fourth in 2016. He will be joined at state by Lawrence senior Ethan Huslig and Free State junior Bayn Schrader. The boys tournament will begin at 8:50 a.m. Thursday at Wichita’s Northrock Lanes.

Free State senior Sapphie Knight and Lawrence senior Holly Evans will bowl in the girls tournament, which begins at 1:40 p.m. Thursday.

Schrader took 30th at state last season. Evans was fifth at state in 2016 and 16th last year.

“You have to go in thinking like that because that’ll keep you relaxed and even-keeled,” Lemmons said, “and that’s the easier way to bowl.”

It’ll be the first appearance at state for Knight and Huslig. Knight said she’s leaned on Schrader, Evans and Lemmons for advice. She’s heard all about how loud the tournament can be and the tension of the tournament.

“I’m actually kind of relaxed,” Knight said. “I mean Bayn has gone so he told me about it, Holly has been a lot. I kind of learned not to overthink it. It’s like another bowling tournament for me. It doesn’t matter if I don’t place or not. I just want to go and experience it. That’s probably my mindset for it.”

Earning spots at state as individual qualifiers, Lemmons said there’s less pressure than competing with a team. There’s no internal pressure of not letting teammates down when bowling by yourself.

“Just another tournament,” Lemmons said. “I guess I’m pretty comfortable.”

During practices this week at Royal Crest Lanes, the five state qualifiers have bowled alongside each other. They said they’ve practiced like they usually do but it does have a different feel because they don’t have their full lineup of teammates.

“I’m kind of sad because I don’t have anyone else to celebrate with,” Knight said. “I have Bayn, but the girls team, we were really close. We were like a family. Not going with them has kind of put a damper on it. But I’m going to try to make them proud.”