Huff, LHS girls stave off FSHS

Late three-pointer helps Lions quell 18-5 run, regain momentum in 45-40 victory

Lawrence High’s Drew Huff drained a crucial three-pointer that saved the Lions from a furious fourth-quarter Free State rally and lifted LHS to a 45-40 victory Saturday night at Free State.

The Lions seemed ready to cruise to a lopsided victory when they led, 31-19, late in the third quarter. But Jenna Brantley’s three-pointer in the fourth quarter capped an 18-5 run that put the Firebirds ahead by one.

After Brantley’s bomb, the Firebirds were slow to get back on defense. Huff was left wide-open for a three-pointer, and she drained it.

“I don’t think there’s a bigger shot in that game,” Lawrence coach Kristin Mallory said. “They come down, hit a huge one, their crowd erupts, and Drew comes down and answers the call.”

The Lions pulled away by scoring their last six points from the free-throw line.

In the first half, Lawrence’s offensive penetration drew several fouls, and the Lions converted their free throws. Eleven of Lawrence’s 22 first-half points were from the charity stripe.

Free State’s offense also couldn’t sustain any early scoring. Firebirds coach Bryan Duncan said his team had decent shots, but couldn’t convert.

“I don’t know what our shooting percentage was in the first three quarters, but it wasn’t very good,” Duncan said.

It was good enough to keep the Firebirds within range, as Free State picked up most of its second-half points in the paint from Brantley, Jamie Stanclift and Banaka Okwuone

Lawrence High's Sydney Wilson (11) shoots past Free State defender Sarah Heider during the second half. The Lions beat the Firebirds, 45-40, Saturday night at Free State.

Mallory said her team played tentatively on defense once it built its lead early in the third quarter, but tightened after Huff’s game-changing three-point shot.

Up by three, the Lions forced Brantley to rush a layup that missed, and ended up putting Huff back on the free-throw line with 23 seconds left. Huff scored on one of the free throws, making it a two-possession game.

photo Photo gallery: LHS vs. FSHS 02.05.05

Free State (5-9) will travel for a 7 p.m. game Monday at Shawnee Mission West. Lawrence High (8-5) plays at 7 p.m. Monday at Shawnee Mission North.