The Lawrence High boys basketball team has not played since a 53-33 loss to Shawnee Mission East on Jan. 9, but the layoff may have served the Lions well.

“We needed a couple of days to recuperate after that loss,” senior Chance Riley said. “We’ve had some real good practices. We’ve been coming together as a team.”

Icy, frigid conditions forced a postponement of Friday’s game at Olathe South. But the nine-day break allowed the Lions to focus on offense as they prepare for the Topeka Invitational Tournament, which begins tonight.

“The last couple of practices have been real good,” senior guard Jace McNabb said.

The Lions, who executed a solid box-and-one defense against East but scored only three points in the opening quarter, will receive a chance to test their improved offense during tonight’s opening-round game against tournament-host Topeka Seaman.

The Vikings have a 3-4 record, but their athletic squad likes to push the ball.

“They’re a pretty good basketball team,” LHS coach Chris Davis said. “It should be an awfully fun basketball game.”

The entire slate of the three-day tournament, which includes Topeka Highland Park (7-0), Wichita East (6-1) and Topeka High (6-1), should serve as a good test for the Lions (5-3).

“It really starts to give you something (where) you can start gearing toward sub-state. There are some really strong basketball teams in this tournament,” Davis said. “From that angle, it’s important to go out and do well.”

Lawrence’s performance likely will depend on whether it adheres to the team-first, offensive philosophies emphasized during practice this week.

“If we stay together and work as a team, we’re one of the best teams in the state,” Riley said. “If we fall apart like we did in the Shawnee Mission East game, then it’s going to be a long tournament.”

The tournament, which consists of games on today, Friday and Saturday, should serve as a good measuring stick. In the Lions’ only other tournament appearance this season, they finished 1-2 in the Blue Valley Shootout.

“We didn’t end up exactly how we wanted,” McNabb said. “We had some ups and downs.”

In Thursday’s game, the Vikings will try to run, while the Lions will emphasize their big men, including 6-foot-6 John Schneider and 6-5 Riley.

“We have a little advantage inside with our post presence,” Davis said.

Senior John Novotny, one of the team’s most physical players, should augment that post presence as he returns to action after missing the East game with a sprained ankle.

The layoff may have allowed Novotny time to recover and the Lions time to regroup, but the team cannot wait to return to action.

“We’re ready,” Davis said. “It’s time to go play.”