Lawrence High junior Leslie Ostronic deflects an incoming ball in front of teammate Asia Goodwin, senior, as the two and the rest of the LHS girls basketball players compete in a game of dodgeball at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

After reaching the Class 6A state tournament for the first time in nine years, Lawrence High’s girls basketball players are starting the summer with the same goals.

If the Lions felt any pressure trying to make it to state in past seasons, they’ve replaced it with excitement.

With a long list of returners, the Lions are confident they can continue to take another step forward, especially after they started practicing together in their weeklong team camp at Central Middle School.

“We’re striving to win it next year,” junior point guard Hannah Stewart said. “But the same expectations apply in the sense of coming every day and working really hard over the summer to get better.”

Lawrence High junior Hannah Stewart looks to take out an opponent during a game of dodgeball during the LHS girls basketball camp at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

During the team camp, which started Tuesday, the Lions followed their same formula. They completed their usual drills and had their fun moments, which included a couple of dodgeball games Thursday.

Lawrence will begin playing in summer league games next week, along with traveling to Oklahoma State and Creighton universities for team camps throughout the month.

“I think the big thing is bonding with the new incoming freshmen,” senior Tyrin Cosey said. “I think it’s important to bond with them because by the time the season comes and they start to try out, they’ll know what they are doing.”

Following a season that ended in the state quarterfinals with an 18-5 record, the Lions are motivated to improve their defense. Players believe that’s the key to becoming a better team.

But they are excited by their potential. Stewart, senior E’lease Stafford and junior Chisom Ajekwu return from last year’s starting lineup.

“I think we have more faith in going (to state) again,” senior Asia Goodwin said. “It’s like if you did it once, you can do it again. So we’re coming back harder and better.”

Lawrence High junior Krissy Howard retreats from the half-court line with two dodgeballs as a game begins during the LHS girls basketball camp at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for the Lions is finding the newest group of vocal leaders after graduating three seniors.

There are several players with varsity experience, but most of them weren’t used to directing younger players.

“The trick for us is because we’ve done it now, I felt like there was a little complacency our first day,” Lawrence coach Jeff Dickson said. “We kind of rolled in a little bit and I felt like we were a little too relaxed.”

The Lions are proud of their success in recent seasons but don’t want to stop their progress. Several graduated players have returned to the camp this week to talk to players and offer encouragement.

“We’re trying to build something, maybe as cheesy as it sounds, that lasts beyond me or whoever is here,” Dickson said. “We want to establish a program that no matter who the coach is or who the players are, this is how Lawrence High does it.”