Lawrence High junior Tania Jackson, left, battles for a rebound over Olathe South's Abbey Marra. The Lions bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 63-56 victory Friday in Olathe.

When Jadkhen Kerr, Olathe South’s best player, drove to the hoop in the final quarter of a close game Friday night, Lawrence High girls basketball forward Tania Jackson was ready in the lane.

She wanted that charge, and she wanted it bad.

The junior already had earned her team 15 minutes off practice – a perk LHS head coach Kristin Mallory offers every time someone takes a charge in a game – but she figured an extra 15 couldn’t hurt.

So she drew the charge, fouled Kerr out of the game and streaked down the court to let Mallory know about it.

“That’s why the girls are loving on her,” Mallory said.

Jackson and the Lions had reason to celebrate, as they held on for an important 63-56 victory over the Falcons.

Even more important was how they rebounded from their first loss of the season Tuesday.

“I don’t think it could be any bigger than it was,” Mallory said. “We get beat, we’re coming up against another really good team … it was important to get back on the winning track.”

Both teams entered with identical 7-1 records, but it was the Lions who re-established themselves as a top team in the Sunflower League.

LHS (8-1) used great balance from the outset. Six different players scored their first six baskets in the opening quarter, which began with Danielle Bird’s three-pointer and ended with a Cassie Potter runner that gave the Lions a 13-10 lead after one.

In the second quarter, Lawrence stepped up its defensive effort, pressuring O-South’s guards to make it harder to pass into the post.

“That’s what we focus on,” Jackson said. “Defense wins games, and that’s what we needed to beat Olathe South because they push the ball.”

The Falcons never led after scoring the first bucket of the game, although they came close in the third quarter. Ebonee Bell’s three cut the lead to 42-40, but Bird’s jumper and a Haley Parker three pushed the lead to seven.

When O-South made its final push in the fourth, Jackson was there to squash it with her two charges.

Parker led the Lions with 16 points and Jackson added 12. Potter finished with nine. LHS shot 53 percent (20-of-38) for the game.

Kerr had 17 points to lead the Falcons.

Afterward, Jackson only could think about one thing.

“My back kinda hurts from taking those charges,” she said.

A small price to pay for 30 minutes off practice Monday.