Lawrence High boys basketball coach Chris Davis has barely mentioned Free State, treating it like any other game on the docket.

He has played up the rivalry, emphasizing it a week in advance.

Regardless of his preparation tactics in previous years, his players always enter the bi-annual crosstown rivalry game with an extra buzz.

“It’s just one of those games that both sides are going to be so emotionally charged. There’s nothing as a coach you can do about it,” Davis said. “The bottom line is it’s the Free State-Lawrence High game, and the kids are going to be pretty excited.”

Free State (3-2) brings a fast, attacking offense into tonight’s 7:30 match at Free State’s gymnasium. Seven different Firebirds have notched double figures this year, and Davis called Free State one of the quickest teams LHS (3-2) will play.

“We’ve got so many different scoring options,” Free State coach Chuck Law said. “That makes it difficult for a team to focus on one or two players.”

While the Lions must contain fleet-footed guard Kris Wilson and his backup, Marcus Spates, they have adopted a more deliberate, pound-it-into-the-post philosophy after using a run-and-gun, three-point shooting style last year.

“Things are coming together about the way I thought they would,” Davis said. “I knew we’d struggle out of the gate a little bit with some new stuff.”

Free State won both matches last year – 58-54 at LHS and 56-49 at Free State. But when these teams meet, the most talented team does not always win.

“It’s a cliche,” Davis said. “But the records and everything mean nothing, and we have proved that out.”

Several LHS players said their favorite memories of the rivalry occurred two years ago when the Lions squeaked by the Firebirds at Free State. That game featured future Kansas University players Brady Morningstar and Brennan Bechard.

“That’s the loudest crowd I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” LHS senior Nathan Padia said. “It was awesome.”

This year’s contest at Free State has both teams relying on big men overcoming injuries.

Christian Ballard’s injury – a strained Achilles tendon according to him and a sprained ankle according to Law – has not prevented the 6-foot-5 Free State center from missing any action. After icing his leg and taking it easy during practice, Ballard expects to provide a post presence to combat the Lions’ 6-foot-four John Novotny, 6-5 Chance Riley and 6-6 John Schneider.

“I’ll be 100 percent for the game,” he said.

After spraining his ankle, Schneider played his first game of the season Friday, scoring 12 points in LHS’ 65-62 win against Shawnee Mission Northwest. Davis said Schneider has not regained full health but is further along than expected.

“He made quite a difference Friday night,” he said. “It was nice to be able to rotate the guys in the center a little bit.”

All of the players will receive a breather following Thursday’s game. With their two-week vacation looming, both teams want to ring in the holiday season with a victory.

“It would give you some more fire,” Ballard said. “It’s good to have a win right now, going into Christmas break, having some momentum. “