Determination does it. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

The Lawrence High girls basketball team saw the reward of a gutsy, hard-nosed effort, starting strong, shaking off struggles and earning a feisty 43-39 victory over Topeka High in the Class 6A sub-state semifinals Wednesday at LHS.

It was an emotional game — not Lawrence’s best, but enough to do the job. When the shots weren’t falling, the will and want-to carried LHS, allowing the Lions to advance to the sub-state finals against Overland Park Aquinas Friday at Olathe South. A win there, and Lawrence High is state-bound.

“We don’t want to go home,” LHS forward Cherrale Ricks said. “I don’t want the season to be over. Not yet.”

Ricks played that way, assuring that her last game at LHS wasn’t a loss. She scored 21 points and snagged 15 rebounds, despite being treated like a pinball in the post. She was banged, bumped, bruised and battered all night. But she — and the Lions — still won.

“It’s been happening a lot lately,” Ricks said. “I think they’re trying to frustrate me or take me out or something.”

Fat chance. Ricks was too good Wednesday. She had seven points and seven rebounds in the first quarter alone. She had a double-double with 6:43 left in the third quarter. She hit seven of 10 shots from the field and seven of 10 shots from the free-throw line.

Guess who was frustrated afterward? It sure wasn’t Ricks.

“It was physical both ways,” LHS coach Kristin Mallory said. “They hang on her and they push her, and she still beats them.”

Lawrence High's Cherrale Ricks, front, collects a rebound in the Lions' 43-39 victory over Topeka High. The Lions won their sub-state opener Wednesday at LHS.

Ricks couldn’t — and didn’t — do it alone, though. Her post partner, junior Megan Klingler, scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds despite game-long foul trouble. Lawrence’s role players — sophomores Kayla Nolte and Sydney Wilson and junior Lacey Elmore — stepped up big in crucial situations.

“These younger kids are getting great experience,” Mallory said, “and they’re really helping us.”

Lawrence (14-7) opened the game on a 9-0 run, but Topeka (11-10) scrapped back through the course of the game and actually led for much of the fourth quarter. LHS regained the lead when Ricks scored a layup while being fouled with 2:18 to play in the game. She converted the three-point play to give the Lions a 39-37 lead.

Senior Jodie Cochrane then hit a free throw with 1:35 to play to put Lawrence up three. It proved to be all the Lions needed.

Topeka’s Randee Babb made it 40-39 with two free throws, but Klingler countered with an easy layup with 34 seconds left. Cochrane hit one last free throw with six seconds left to secure the victory.

The Lions will travel to Olathe South for a game against Overland Park Aquinas, one of Class 6A’s top teams. Aquinas beat Olathe North, 55-27, Wednesday to bring its record to 20-1 on the season. One of the Saints’ victories was a 59-52 win over LHS on Dec. 4.

6News video: City girls have close games and end with win, loss

That game was the season opener for both teams. Friday will be one team’s season-ender.

“We’re really going to have to concentrate,” Ricks said. “It’s going to be a big one.”

Lawrence High's Megan Klingler (34) shoots over Topeka High's Ali Robertson (45). The Lions beat the Trojans, 43-39, Wednesday at LHS.