Lawrence High's Anthony Bonner celebrates with Justin Roberts after a made basket Friday during the Blue Valley Shootout.

Stilwell ? Lawrence High guards Anthony Bonner and Justin Roberts don’t talk about themselves as the closers for the No. 1 team in Class 6A. They just play that way.

The Lions trailed Topeka Highland Park (No. 2 in 5A) by a point at halftime Friday night and still needed a strong fourth quarter in the semifinals of the Blue Valley Shootout. So the two off-the-court friends who are now in their third season starting together in the LHS backcourt delivered the final barrage of winning blows.

Roberts and Bonner combined to score all 20 fourth-quarter points for the Lions, making it look easy in a 61-48 victory at Blue Valley High.

With their team up just six points after three quarters, junior point guard Roberts scored 14 of his game-high 27 points in the final eight minutes, and senior Bonner added six of his 20. Roberts went 4-for-5 from the floor in the decisive fourth and made all six of his free throws in the final minute.

Bonner, who converted a pair of successful drives early in the fourth, said the Lions (3-0) relied on their point guard late for easy points — Roberts also scored back-to-back transition layups off Scots turnovers around the four-minute mark.

“They can’t stick with him,” Bonner said of Highland Park’s defenders. “When he’s up to speed, no one can stay with him. He’s great for that.”

Lawrence coach Mike Lewis agreed, saying the 5-foot-9 guard came up big.

“A number of times,” Lewis added. “We put a lot of weight on his shoulders that wasn’t necessary. We could’ve moved the ball a lot better and not just let Justin make plays.”

However, that’s what the Highland Park (1-1) defense gave Roberts, who shot 9-for-12 and admitted he probably played too passively prior to the fourth. If he waited until the end to assert himself, it also likely had to do with the fact he enjoys seeing his teammates succeed.

“I wouldn’t really say it’s our role to finish out the game,” Roberts said of him and his running mate. “I think it’s our role to get everybody involved and get the team going. It doesn’t matter who’s scoring in the fourth quarter. As long as we get the win, that’s all that matters.”

In the second half, he sought out teammate Fred Brou to congratulate him after one of the junior forward’s three blocks. Roberts also set up junior forward Price Morgan for a pair of easy, timely baskets in the third. Later that quarter, a push up the floor from the floor general led to senior guard Ben Rajewski knocking down a three-pointer to give LHS a 39-35 lead. From that point on, Bonner and Roberts scored Lawrence’s final 22 points.

“I definitely think our coaches and people look at us to lead,” Bonner said. “You know, we were hitting. It was the hot hand.”

Lawrence will face Blue Valley in the tournament championship game approximately 6:15 p.m. today.

HIGHLAND PARK (48)

Malik Keith 1-6 0-0 2, Marshawn White 1-1 1-1 3, Daniel Kingcannon 1-9 2-2 5, Jahil Osby 8-10 0-0 21, Abdul McFox 2-4 0-0 4, Daishon Fox 1-3 1-1 3, Ahmad Fox 1-5 0-0 2, Dashawn Williams 3-4 0-0 6, Devon Townsend 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 19-45 4-4 48.

LAWRENCE (61)

Justin Roberts 9-12 7-9 27, Price Morgan 2-3 0-0 4, Ben Rajewski 2-7 0-0 6, Anthony Bonner 7-12 5-7 20, John Barbee 0-1 0-0 0, Fred Brou 2-3 0-2 4, Anthony Harvey 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-39 12-18 61.

Highland Park 12 13 10 13 — 48

Lawrence 12 12 17 20 — 61

Three-point goals: Highland Park 6-18 (Osby 5-6, Kingcannon 1-3); Lawrence 5-15 (Rajewski 2-7, Roberts 2-4, Bonner 1-3). Fouled out: Osby. Turnovers: Highland Park 8, Lawrence 6.