Lawrence High forward Jackson Sanner puts up a shot over Sumner defender Brian Johnson, right. The Lions won, 53-45, Friday in the Blue Valley Shootout at Blue Valley High.

Lawrence High senior center John Schneider rips away an offensive rebound in the paint against Sumner Academy defenders Stan Parker, left, senior, and Brian Johnson, senior, in the first half Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 during the Blue Valley Shootout at Blue Valley High School.

STILWELL ? There are two benefits to playing the early afternoon game at any basketball tournament. One, it provides players with much-needed extra rest.

The other?

A chance to scout the next day’s opponent in person.

Lawrence High’s boys basketball team took full advantage of both after winning its opening-round game Thursday. Players relaxed in the stands and studied up on K.C. Sumner for Friday night’s second-round contest at the Blue Valley Shootout. What they learned from watching the Sabres proved to be invaluable in the Lions’ 53-45 victory on Friday night.

“We knew they were going to be athletic,” LHS point guard Dorian Green said. “We knew that our 2-3 zone could be effective. We kind of figured out who their shooters were and their tendencies. It helps when you know what a person is going to do before you play them.”

Lawrence negated Sumner’s ballhandling and blazing quickness on the offensive end by packing into a zone and forcing the Sabres to shoot from the outside. Sumner hoisted 30 3s, making just eight. The Lions also stopped the Sabres’ two best players. Guards Brian Johnson and Neil Watson, who combined for 41 points the night before, scored 21 points against LHS.

And it was all thanks to a little bonus time in the gym.

“If we hadn’t stuck around, we would have probably crashed three or four guys to the boards, and they would have run on us for easy fast breaks,” Lions big man John Schneider said. “We dropped three people back and got them out of their game and made them be patient.”

In the first half, neither team was able to pull away from the other, with the biggest lead being a four-point cushion for the Lions early on. Schneider’s layup off Green’s pass inside with the clock winding down gave Lawrence a 24-23 lead at the break.

Schneider finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Lance Kilburn had 15 points, and Green tallied nine points, six rebounds and six assists.

Despite facing mounting pressure from Sumner’s athletic guards in the second half, LHS had just nine turnovers for the game.

“No question, (Sumner is) the most athletic team we’ve seen,” LHS coach Chris Davis said. “We really had to do some things we haven’t had to do yet, so I was proud we were able to stand up to it.”

LHS will play Ralston (Neb.) High, 73-56 winners against Blue Valley High, in today’s championship at 7 p.m.