Lawrence High erased memories of last year’s heartbreaking, season-ending loss with a 62-57 victory over Olathe East in the Class 6A sub-state boys basketball championship on Saturday night at Free State High.

The Lions were one game away from state last year when they suffered a 53-51 loss to Free State in their own gym.

Lawrence High guard D.J. Watkins leaps into the arms of teammate Brandon McAnderson after the Lions defeated Olathe East. LHS won the Class 6A sub-state final, 62-57, on Saturday night at Free State High. Other Lions pictured from left are Taylor Parker, Stephen Vinson and David Parkinson.

“Ever since it happened last year, it really motivated us,” said LHS senior guard Stephen Vinson, who scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Lions to their first state appearance since 1995. “That’s one reason we came out so strong. It seemed like every second you spend in the gym during the summer was to prepare for this moment.”

No. 4-ranked LHS (18-4) had several key moments against No. 5 Olathe East (16-6). The Lions led 34-14 late in the first half behind 16 points from Vinson before having to rally in the final two minutes to escape with the state berth.

LHS likely will be the No. 3 seed at 6A state and open with No. 6 Wichita West (14-8) on Thursday at White Auditorium in Emporia. State pairings will be announced this morning.

Down 55-53 with 2:22 left, the Lions closed with a 9-2 run. Senior guard D.J. Watkins providing six of those points two layins off steals and two free throws.

Trailing 58-57, O-East was driving for the go-ahead basket before Watkins picked Hawks sophomore guard Anthony Parks on the right wing and dashed down the court for the layin to increase Lawrence’s lead to 60-57 with 7.4 seconds left.

“I felt confident that I could take it up strong and put it in,” said Watkins, who finished with 16 points. “We’re coming together as a team and everybody knows our role. Everybody brings a different aspect to the team and when the pressure is on, we stepped up and performed.”

Watkins was fouled on the layin. He missed the free throw but tracked down the rebound before being fouled again. Watkins calmly sank two free throws with 4.8 seconds left for the final points.

“I usually gripe about him taking too many risks, but I may learn to shush up a little bit,” LHS coach Chris Davis said of Watkins’ pivotal steal.

Lawrence's David Parkinson, center, is fouled by Olathe East's Brandon Coleman, left, as Kyle Spears defends. The Lions beat the Hawks, 62-57, on Saturday at Free State High.

Davis has grown accustomed to several Lions rising to the occasion.

“We seem to always have a different player step up,” Davis said. “Last night it was Brandon McAnderson (in the sub-state opener), the first half tonight it was Stephen Vinson. Down late when we needed it, it was D.J. Watkins. I’m so proud of the kids and how they find a way to step up.”

Lawrence rallied in the final 3:53 with its top rebounder, Jamie Peterson, sidelined with five fouls. Peterson fouled out with 10 rebounds.

“Jamie is a really important part of our team,” Davis said. “A lot of times he gets overlooked, but he’s a workhorse inside. When he fouled out, I was really concerned.”

No need to worry, coach.

“We knew if we didn’t step it up it was going to be over,” Vinson said. “It really hit us when Jamie fouled out. We didn’t want it to be his last minute. We realized that it could be our last minute. We took it upon ourselves to play defense to turn it around.”

Ahead 34-18 at halftime, LHS was outscored 20-11 in the third quarter.

“It’s really difficult when you have a substantial lead to keep your composure,” said Davis, whose squad is now 17-0 when leading at the half. “The other team almost always has the advantage because they know their season is going to be over, and they have to pick it up.”

Junior guard Bryan Cargill came off the bench to score 11 points with three three-pointers for Lawrence.

Davis said last year’s sub-state loss to Free State was a factor.

“That helped with our focus,” Davis said. “Because of last year, we knew the effort that it was going to take to get over the hump. The hurt was so strong last year and I think that was burning inside, helping us out.”

O-East was led by Drew Mathews (16 points) and Brandon Coleman (14).

LHS had fallen in sub-state finals in three of the past five years.

“I’ve been here for three years and felt like the quarterback who never made it to the Super Bowl,” said Vinson, savoring the state berth.

At 18-4, the Lions have the same record they took to state in 1995, when they captured the state title.

Other state qualifiers are Hutchinson (20-2), Wichita East (19-3), Wichita North (17-5), Olathe North (15-7), Shawnee Mission West (11-11) and Shawnee Mission Northwest (7-14).