Lawrence High coach Kristin Mallory never could have known that missing Kayla Nolte would hurt this much.

When the team’s leading rebounder went down last week because of a torn ACL, the coach knew her team might struggle inside.

But she never could have foreseen her squad getting dominated on the boards like it did in a 64-59 loss to K.C. Washington.

“When the game’s on the line, we’ve got to secure a ball,” Mallory said, “and we didn’t do that time and time again.”

Though it was painful to watch the first time, Mallory still made sure to ask for the game tape afterwards.

“I told the girls for every board,” Mallory said, “there will be a consequence.”

In that case, Washington’s 49-26 advantage in rebounds might make for a long next practice.

It also made for a long night on the bench for Nolte, who will have season-ending surgery on her knee Friday.

“It’s really hard, because I know I could go out there and rebound,” Nolte said. “I was ready to suit up and get in there and play.”

LHS still managed to hold an early advantage against an athletic K.C. Washington team. Benefiting from a quick-strike transition offense, the Lions pushed their lead to 34-23 with a Drew Huff layup in the third quarter.

“We thought we had control of the game,” Huff said, “but we just let them get a lot of offensive rebounds.”

Specifically, Ashley Jones began to terrorize the Lions on the glass.

Though only 5-foot-7, the sophomore outrebounded Lawrence by herself 10-9 in the fourth quarter. She finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds, recording all of her caroms in the final three quarters. Denae Stuckey also helped the Wildcats’ rally, scoring 24 points and adding nine rebounds.

Meanwhile, LHS (0-2) never could find its rhythm again, making only two field goals in the final quarter.

“We came down on the offensive end and tried to play one-on-one basketball with a team that’s more athletic than we were,” Mallory said. “That’s not going to win any time.”

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Huff led LHS with 17 points, while Sydney Wilson and Katelyn Hobbs each added 14.

“I don’t take many positives, to be real honest,” Mallory said. “We didn’t play with a lot of heart.”