The young Lawrence High girls basketball team displayed some much-needed maturity during its 57-42 defeat of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy on Monday night.

“We learned from our past losses,” LHS coach Kristin Mallory said. “We finished very strong.”

Although the Lions led for most of the game, Lincoln tied the score at 39 with 4:53 remaining. Early in the season, LHS (6-4) may have panicked, committed sloppy turnovers or forced shots in that situation.

But sophomore Taylor Bird drove for a layup to regain the lead.

“I just saw the open lane,” Bird said. “And I just went for it.”

On the next possession, senior Sydnei Tolefree scored a three-point play to give the Lions a 44-39 lead they would not surrender.

“We bounced back from adversity,” Mallory said. “They tied it, and our girls really responded.”

Bird not only scored that crucial goal, but looked like the best player in the LHS gymnasium. Effectively using screens and quick cuts to the hoop, she scored 18 of the team’s 57 points.

She played aggressively around the basket, with several of her buckets coming on second efforts.

“She’s just a gusty kid,” Mallory said. “When she’s not hitting from the outside, she’ll get in there and post up strong.”

Mallory even joked that Bird – who finished with 14 rebounds – intentionally missed shots to pad her rebounding statistics. As the team’s point guard, she had another vital role, handling the ball against Lincoln’s press.

Although Mallory warned her team about the Lincoln scheme right before tipoff, the Lions seemed flustered initially. LHS ultimately handled the press with quick cuts and sharp passes to the post and committed only 12 turnovers overall.

LAWRENCE HIGH'S TANIA JACKSON (33) goes up for a shot against Lincoln College Prep Academy's Ashlee Savwoir. Jackson tallied 11 points in Monday's LHS victory.

“Once we responded,” Mallory said, “(Lincoln) ended up having to take it off.”

The Lions also attacked the boards, collecting 12 offensive rebounds in the second half.

“Coach Mal told us to get a lot of rebounds,” Bird said. “And we accomplished that.”

That rebounding success serves as a positive sign for a perimeter-oriented team, led by Taylor Bird, Danielle Bird and Katelyn Hobbs, which has been searching for an anchor in the paint.

“I’m key,” sophomore Tania Jackson said. “I’m one of the only post players going. So I just try to do my best. If I’m doing good, then my team is doing good.”

Jackson scored 11 points and pulled down 12 boards, calling it one of her best performances.

The Lions also received a frontcourt boost from Tolefree, who scored seven points, including the game-changing three-point play. The senior played an important role on the defensive end as well.

Mallory placed Tolefree, a forward, against guard LaToya Johnson, who scored 11 points and helped initiate the Lincoln offense, during the fourth quarter.

“(Tolefree) had more length,” Mallory said. “She really did a nice job containing her.”

LHS next plays Kansas City Wyandotte on Thursday during the opening round of the three-day Capital City Classic in Topeka.