Overland Park ? Trailing by two points to Shawnee Mission West after three quarters, senior Anthony Bonner and the Class 6A No. 1-ranked Lawrence High boys basketball team had to find another gear in order to remain undefeated.

After hitting a three-pointer early in the first quarter, Bonner had not hit a field goal until making back-to-back shots to begin the fourth and start the Lions’ 53-45 comeback victory over the Vikings.

“I don’t really know where my mind was in the first three quarters, but my teammates believed in me, and luckily I hit two big shots,” Bonner said. “Credit to the rest of the team. They played really well, and I’m happy for them.”

Those would be Bonner’s final two field goals, as he finished with nine points, but junior Justin Roberts carried the Lions from there. The Vikings attempted to trap Roberts in the backcourt in the fourth quarter, but it did not faze him or his teammates.

“We kind of like that because they were kind out of control,” said Roberts after leading all scorers with 21 points. “It’s not like they were guarding the next pass, so we could just pass to the open man and drive and kick. It gave us an advantage.”

Roberts drove to the basket for back-to-back layups with less than three minutes left to seal the Lions’ ninth victory and keep them perfect on the season.

“Thank goodness Justin was tough for four full quarters. Justin was our rock tonight,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “He didn’t get flustered. He stayed steady. He was a true leader on the floor.”

SM West led 37-35 after three quarters, but Bonner, Roberts and a team effort on defense helped the Lions outscore the Vikings, 18-8, in the final eight minutes.

Bonner said that close games against Free State High and Barstow helped prepare the Lions to face adversity like they did against the Vikings.

“Coach just told us to forget about the last three quarters and fight through adversity and keep pushing,” Bonner said. “That’s what we did. It was ugly, but we got the win.”

The win did not come without a few literal bumps and bruises as well. On one of Roberts’ fourth-quarter drives, LHS forward Fred Brou went up for a possible put-back attempt and ended up falling head over heals and hitting his face hard on the floor.

“He landed on his face, so the big thing is his lips are pretty puffy right now and he got his bell rung a little bit,” Lewis said. “I think he’s OK. They checked him out. I just think it was a little bit more of a scary scene than anything, seeing him kind of go over the top like that.”

Brou was able to gingerly walk off the court with the help of two LHS trainers, but did not return to the game.

The Lions will try to remain perfect as they continue on the road Friday against Olathe East.

“A win is a win, and when you’re on the road in the Sunflower League and you get a win, we’ll take it and be happy about it,” Lewis said.

SM WEST (45)

Tyriq Gunnels 5-6 2-3 13, Louis Rollins 3-7 4-6 12, Tarik Watson 0-1 2-3 3, Israel Watson 1-2 0-0 2, Zach Witters 1-3 0-1 2, Asher Goldston 0-4 1-2 1, Darrell Stewart 1-3 2-2 4, Tyler Brewer 4-8 1-1 9.

LAWRENCE HIGH (53)

Justin Roberts 7-14 4-9 21, Price Morgan 3-4 0-0 6, Ben Rajewski 0-3 3-3 3, Anthony Bonner 3-7 1-2 9, Fred Brou 1-3 0-0 2, John Barbee 3-6 3-4 10, Anthony Harvey 0-1 0-0 0, Jackson Mallory 0-1 2-2 2, Logan Appelgate 0-4 0-0 0.

SM West 15 12 10 7 — 45

Lawrence High 16 10 9 18 — 53

Three-point goals: SM West 2-7 (Rollins, Gunnels), Lawrence High- 6 11 (Bonner 2, Roberts 3, Barbee). Turnovers: SMW 8, Lawrence High 6.