When the Lawrence High boys basketball coaches called for D. Green early in the winter season, the heads of two players would turn around.

“It’s been confusing,” LHS basketball coach Chris Davis said.

But other than their surnames and first initial, Daniel and Dorian Green possess completely different playing styles and on-court demeanors.

“We’re kind of the exact opposite,” Dorian said. “He’s more fiery and kind of hot-headed. I’m really laid-back.”

Daniel, the starting senior point guard, has played on the varsity team for three years and seemingly can sprout a thicket of a beard overnight. The team’s leader brings an in-your-face intensity. He will pound his chest after a big play or grab a teammate by the shoulders to bark encouragement.

During the second quarter of a game against Olathe East last year, a Hawks guard tried to stall the offense for the last shot, and Green stared him down until the half ended.

“His heart best represents the team,” Davis said. “He wears it out on his sleeve.”

The baby-faced Dorian, a sophomore, comes off the bench to replace Daniel and sometimes play alongside him. He smoothly glides along the court, running the team in a quiet but poised manner.

“He’s athletic,” Davis said. “(He’s) never shaken, always under control and just steady.”

Both players came to the forefront during Lawrence High’s 43-42 win against rival Free State High on Dec. 21.

The Lions trailed by three with six seconds left when Daniel nailed a three-point shot from the corner of the floor. The senior called it the most memorable play of his basketball career.

LAWRENCE HIGH POINT GUARDS DORIAN GREEN, LEFT, AND DANIEL GREEN offer contrasting styles in the LHS backcourt. The pair have helped lead the Lions to a 13-6 record entering Friday's city showdown against Free State.

But the Lions never would have been in position to tie the game without Dorian. Free State jumped out to a 30-13 lead. The sophomore, who had played sparingly on the varsity level, entered the game during the third quarter. Defensively, he negated the quickness of Free State’s Kris Wilson and Marcus Spates, and his offensive playmaking spurred a 17-2 Lions run.

“That was kind of my coming-out party,” Dorian said.

After that game Dorian began playing more minutes, often remaining in the game during crunch time. Against Shawnee Mission South on Feb. 6, he sank a shot as the game clock ticked to zero to give LHS a 45-43 victory.

Although the sophomore needs to add more bulk to his lanky frame, he represents the future of LHS basketball.

“He can be as good as he wants to be,” Daniel said. “He’s got all the talent in the world.”

For the present, Daniel runs the offense, dishing out 4.7 assists per game. A lockdown defender, he has also handled the opponent’s No. 1 offensive option in almost half of the Lions’ games.

“He’s just determined to not be outworked,” Davis said. “That’s just something you can count on every game.”

That toughness would make Daniel a good fit on the gridiron, and he played football from third grade until ninth grade. But he began playing on a traveling basketball team during second grade and has enjoyed the hardwood ever since.

Considering Dorian’s lineage, one could have pegged him as a football player as well. His father, Darren, played wide receiver at Kansas University from 1981 to 1983. Dorian, however, preferred basketball and baseball, the sport that occupied much of his youth.

Like his son, though, Darren, played on the LHS varsity basketball team as a sophomore. After Dorian’s clutch play during the Free State game, his father pulled out his high school scrapbook. An old newspaper clipping described Darren as “cool, collected and poised.” The same adjectives appeared in an article, depicting Dorian’s performance against the Firebirds.

One would describe Dorian and Daniel as friendly despite playing the same position. They compete against each other in H-O-R-S-E sessions during basketball practice, and both pitch for the LHS baseball team.

“We get along real well,” Daniel said. “I’m glad he’s on my team.”

The LHS coaching staff also is glad that it can lean on both Greens to run the Lions offense – even if their names require clarification.

“Right now Daniel’s our D. Green,” Davis said. “Dorian is our next D. Green.”