Free State High boys basketball coach Jack Schreiner knows how intimidating it can be to play at Lawrence High.

Schreiner, who coached the Lions for four seasons (1993-94 to 96-97), posted a 27-8 home record at LHS. He has only two wins on that floor since.

When the 10th-ranked Firebirds (12-6 overall, 6-3 Sunflower League) take on the Lions (8-10, 4-5) at 7 tonight at LHS, the home court — and its raucous fans, close confines and slightly smaller playing area — will be center stage.

“That may be the best home-court advantage in the state of Kansas,” Schreiner said. “It’s just a great environment to play — especially if you’re the home team.”

The Lions, who are 4-3 at home, are coming off a 60-46 road loss Thursday to top-ranked Olathe South. Tonight is the second of three games LHS plays against Class 6A’s top-10 teams. The Lions close their season Friday against No. 8 Leavenworth at Lawrence High.

It’s a formidable finish for the Lions, who have to win one of their final two games to avoid the eighth seed for next week’s sub-state tournament.

As if LHS needed added importance to the rivalry.

“In our case, it definitely can help us in sub-state seeding to win this game,” LHS coach Chris Davis said. “This is a big game for us, no doubt.

“But the fact is, when you’re talking about Lawrence High and Free State, it’s as good as it gets when it comes to high school basketball.”

It’s a true rivalry, too.

In the six years since Free State opened, there’s only been one sweep in the season series, when the Firebirds took both games in the 1998-99 season. Oddly enough, that was the only season both schools had losing records. The teams split the season series in 2000-01, but FSHS surprised the Lions in the sub-state championship game that year.

“That says a lot about the rivalry,” Schreiner said. “There have been years where one team has been much better on paper, but can’t come away with a sweep.”

The Firebirds took this season’s first game, 61-45, on Dec. 21 at FSHS, which gives them a 7-4 series edge.

The Lions featured a zone defense most of that game, which collapsed around 6-foot-9 FSHS senior Keith Wooden whenever he touched the ball. The strategy worked until midway through the third quarter when the Firebirds were able to spread the Lions’ defense, take advantage of LHS turnovers and open up a lead.

“I would imagine that’s what they’ll try to do (tonight),” Davis said. “But I think the last few games we’ve played, we’ve done a better job at making sure teams don’t get that chance.”

Defense has been one of the Lions’ strengths this season, which has helped alleviate an uneven offense. After posting a season-high 84 points against Olathe East on Feb. 6, LHS hasn’t scored more than 52 in its last three games.

But that helps explain the Lions’ defensive mindset. They held Shawnee Mission West to 35 points last Monday, and with the exception of one quarter against Olathe South, played the Falcons evenly.

Free State has also picked up its defensive intensity. After dropping back-to-back games against Wichita Southeast and Topeka High, the Firebirds have won three straight, including a 67-44 victory Thursday against Shawnee Mission Northwest.

When the season started, Schreiner wanted one of the state’s top defenses. Until Wichita Southeast, the Firebirds had been living up to that promise.

But the last three games have eased Schreiner’s worry somewhat. Just in time, too.

“For two games we were not. We were scoring enough points to win, but we weren’t holding anybody,” Schreiner said. “Now our defense has spurred our offense. And, to be honest, if you’re going to go far in the tournament, you’ve got to be a good defensive team.”