Lawrence High senior Fred Brou slams the ball with authority during the City Showdown game against Free State High on Friday evening at FSHS. The Lions came away with a 75-60 victory over the Firebirds.

During the third quarter of the boys basketball sub-state championship game Saturday, Lawrence High senior Fred Brou caught a pass on a 3-on-1 fast-break from junior Jackson Mallory. Everyone in attendance remembers what happened next.

Brou stuffed a one-handed dunk over a defender from Shawnee Mission Northwest while drawing a foul. The Lions clinched a spot in the Class 6A state tournament, and the dunk was the exclamation point, sending his teammates and home crowd into hysterics.

The Lions are hoping for more of the same from Brou when they meet Dodge City (12-10) in the first round of state at 3 p.m. Thursday at Wichita State’s Koch Arena. It’s the first time the Lions have earned back-to-back trips to state since 1991-92.

Brou’s ascent — for high-flying dunks and into Lawrence’s starting lineup — didn’t happen overnight. In the offseason, Brou spent plenty of time working with strength coach Fred Roll, adding muscle and athleticism.

Since the start of the season, the 6-foot-5 Brou has blossomed on the court and provided many memorable slams. He’s averaging nearly a double-double, giving the Lions a boost on both ends of the floor.

“He really embraces his role as a senior and is really playing good basketball for us,” Lawrence coach Mike Lewis said. “If I had any way to describe Fred, it would that he’s had a nice, kind of natural progression to his senior year. He’s worked hard.”

Once known as “Flat-Top Fred” because of his haircut, Brou is making himself known for his dunks and high-energy play. Watch him high-step to half-court when he makes a pass that leads to an open bucket. A rim protector, Brou enjoys swatting shots, then tries to outrace his opponents to the other side of the court.

Before the team’s first game, Brou and fellow senior forward Price Morgan agreed to dunk as much as they can. Sure, a layup counts for the same number of points, but the Lions are at their best when they’re having fun, and what’s more fun than exciting everyone with a dunk?

“A lot of it has to do with his confidence,” Morgan said of Brou. “You can just look at him over the years and just see how much bigger he’s gotten from working in the weight room and how much that’s been a factor for him. That strength has translated to confidence as game time rolls around.”

Off the bench last season, Brou averaged three points and three rebounds per game. He was in the rotation that helped the Lions to the state title game, but this season is different. From a backup dancer to one of the lead vocalists.

“Last year I was probably a lot more timid with the way I went up and wanting the ball and stuff like that,” Brou said. “This year, with my role changing, I’ve been able to get more comfortable and play like the way I’ve been playing.”

For as much as Brou has improved on the court, he’s even more successful in the classroom. Brou was awarded a $1,000 scholarship during the Hy-Vee Shootout, one of two players selected from the entire 42-team showcase, and he was named to the all-academic team at the Topeka Invitational Tournament.

Whether it’s in class or on the court, Brou has made the most of his opportunities. Playing alongside Morgan, the duo meshes well. Morgan is tenacious, powering his way through opponents. Brou provides the finesse, scoring on hook shots.

Add in junior 6-6 forward Kobe Buffalomeat, and the Lions have a front-court that causes a lot of problems for opposing teams.

“In today’s age in basketball, players and people want immediate playing time, and they want the immediate status,” Lewis said. “Fred is a great example of someone who just worked his way up, which in my opinion, most of the time is the way it should be.”

Brou has certainly worked his way up to this moment — preparing for his second straight trip to the state tournament. He’s proud of what he has accomplished this season, but he’s not done yet.

“After the last game,” Brou said, “I stopped, and I really thought, ‘We have a week left. No matter what happens, win or lose, we have less than a week left in the season.’ I’m going to really miss it, but I’m ready to take advantage of what’s left of it.”