Sure, the Lawrence High girls basketball team previously lost to tonight’s opponent, Shawnee Mission Northwest.

But that defeat occurred during a different year (2006), and that inexperienced Lions team hardly resembles the current squad.

“We play a lot of young kids,” LHS coach Kristin Mallory said. “And they’ve matured.”

The Lions (13-7) have gone 11-5 since the Northwest game, including winning a Capital City Classic tournament championship, to secure a No. 3 seed in the 6A sub-state tournament and a home game tonight against the sixth-seeded Cougars.

But to avoid a repeat of the Dec. 14 65-59 setback in the “Jungle,” post players Tania Jackson, Syndei Tolefree and Abby Vestal will have to step up against an imposing Cougars front line.

“They’re probably twice as big as we are,” said Vestal, who contributed 10 points off the bench during the prior game against Northwest.

Becca Roberts, a 6-foot-1 senior, controlled the boards and paced her team with a game-high 18 points during the earlier meeting, which served as Lawrence High’s first game in Sunflower League play. The Lions will emphasize team defense against her and may employ a double team.

“She dominated us last game,” said LHS junior Danielle Bird, who scored 14 points off the strength of four three-point shots.

The Cougars (9-11) also rely on the experience of eight seniors. In addition to Roberts, senior Jessie Bocquin scored 15 points and nailed all six of her free-throw attempts – coolly delivering several of those shots in the waning minutes – during the December contest.

The rematch potentially is nestled between two rivalry games against Free State. LHS lost, 57-48, to the Firebirds on Friday, and would play them a third time this Saturday if both local teams advance tonight.

When asked about that possible match-up, the LHS players repeatedly sprouted the cliche about taking it “one game at a time.”

Mallory gave the team the weekend to dwell on Friday’s loss. During Monday’s practice, LHS did a thorough self-examination, and the Lions concentrated on Northwest during Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s sessions with hardly any mention of Free State.

“We’re not really worried about (Free State),” Danielle Bird said. “(We) just focus on Shawnee Mission Northwest.”

Northwest employs a zone defense and likes the game to be played in the 40s, while LHS prefers a score in the 50s or 60s. To reach that score, the Lions likely will use a press defense and try to rack up points in transition.

“We need to push the tempo,” Mallory said.

Tonight’s round one game also serves as the last home game for LHS seniors Tolefree, Vestal, Katelyn Hobbs and Hannah Somers.

“Playing at home is always big for sub-state,” Vestal said.

The raucous LHS fans will watch a more composed team than they witnessed in December. Taylor Bird has developed into one of the best playmakers in the Sunflower League, Jackson has begun patrolling the boards and Somers has found her niche as a three-point specialist.

“Hopefully we’re gelling at the right time,” Mallory said.”