Lawrence High School guard Hannah Stewart (1) right, defends against Free State’s Haley Hippe (20) in the City Showdown at LHS Friday, Feb. 24.

It was an abbreviated celebration to say the least.

The Lawrence High girls basketball team cheered and shouted for a few minutes inside the locker room in the early moments after a 54-43 victory over Free State. But the instant the Lions stepped outside, their mindset shifted to what lies ahead following the regular-season finale at LHS Friday.

“The focus starts now,” junior E’lease Stafford said. “We have to get ready and be locked in for the first round of sub-state. Make sure we go to the second round and win that. We are trying to go all the way to state.”

For many, the City Showdown is a highly-anticipated matchup and rightfully so. Yet, the Lions have done their best to treat the tilt just like any other game. It is a feat much easier to do now that they have extended their streak to four consecutive wins in the rivalry.

Much like last year, Lawrence (16-4, 8-3 in league) swept the series, including the first meeting inside Allen Fieldhouse which took place in December. The only difference from last winter is that LHS will head into postseason play with a five-game win streak and a much healthier team.

“For us, we have been in playoff mode since the midseason tournament,” Dickson said. “A year ago at this time, we got through this game and the kids didn’t get a chance to celebrate any of it because E’lease got hurt in the game. To come out of this game with a win, No. 1 seed in sub-state and healthy, it’s a really good feeling.”

Free State on the other hand is without it best player, Madison Piper, and still gave its crosstown foe a test even in a hostile environment.

Though the Firebirds (12-8, 6-5) did not hold a lead for a single second, they withstood an early surge by the Lions. After starting down 15-4, including eight points by Stafford, FSHS brought it back to within two by the end of the first period.

Four different players — Cameryn Thomas, Jaycie Bishop, Jaelyn Two Hearts and Sam Lawrence — contributed to the team’s 12-3 run to close out the opening quarter.

“We got hit in the mouth and the crowd was going wild and our group didn’t quit,” FSHS coach Ted Juneau said. “I give Lawrence High a ton of credit, we tried like heck to play with them. It’s just tough for us.”

Lawrence switched to a zone defense and held Free State to just four points — a pair of buckets by Two Hearts — in the second period. Meanwhile, Chisom Ajekwu and Stafford helped increase Lawrence’s advantage to seven by the intermission.

Senior Olivia Lemus opened the second half with a pair of 3-pointers to push their lead to double digits. The Firebirds never got within seven points for the remainder of the contest despite a 17-point effort from Two Hearts. Thomas finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the loss.

For Lawrence, Stafford finished with 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting, including a 4-of-8 effort from downtown. Lemus was the team’s only other double-digit scorer, as she notched 10 points and eight rebounds. Sammy Williams hauled in a game-high 10 boards to go along with her six points.

In the final minute, Dickson inserted senior Madison McKinney, who suffered a season-ending injury in November.

“I want this win for the kids,” Dickson said. “But our goal all season was to put ourselves in position. We wanted to get a top-three finish in the league and a number one seed in sub-state.”

FREE STATE (43)

Sam Lawrence 2-9 0-0 5, Cameryn Thomas 3-12 6-10 12, Jaycie Bishop 1-6 0-1 2, Caely Kesten 2-2 0-1 4, Haley Hippe 1-3 1-2 3, Jaelyn Two Hearts 7-12 0-0 17, Erin Cushing 0-1 0-0 0, Caroline Patton 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-45 7-14 43.

LAWRENCE (54)

Hannah Stewart 1-6 2-2 4, Olivia Lemus 3-7 `1-2 10, Skylar Drum 3-5 2-3 8, E’lease Stafford 8-19 0-0 20, Chisom Ajekwu 1-1 2-4 4, Tyrin Cosey 0-1 2-2 2, Sammy Williams 2-5 2-4 6, Asia Goodwin 0-3 0-0 0, Madison McKinney 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-47 11-17 54.

Free State 16 4 10 13 — 43

Lawrence 18 9 13 14 — 54

Three-point goals: Free State 4-18 (Two Hearts 3, Lawrence); Lawrence 7-18 (Stafford 4, Lemus 3). Fouled out: Thomas. Turnovers: Free State 13, Lawrence 18.