When Lawrence High boys basketball players look back at their run to the Class 6A state tournament, they can identify the day that their season changed.

After a four-point loss to Shawnee Mission North in the middle of February — “We were at a low point in our season,” senior Jackson Mallory said — seniors Braden Solko and Mallory helped organize a players-only team meeting in the school’s weight room.

In the team meeting, players sat in a circle and took turns telling their teammates how they could help the team after playing in a stretch where they had lost three of their last five games.

“Everyone just got things off their chests,” Solko said. “We definitely became closer after that.”

Since then, the Lions responded by winning four of their past five games, earning their third straight trip to the state tournament. Lawrence (15-7) will play Manhattan (18-4) in the first round at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Wichita State’s Koch Arena.

In the first game following the team meeting, which players called a turning point, the Lions cruised to a double-digit win against Olathe North.

Players noticed the team’s body language improved whether players were checking into the game or heading to the bench. There was more encouragement and more smiles.

“I could definitely tell,” said sophomore Noah Butler when asked if he noticed a difference. “Everybody was energized. Way more energy.”

Lawrence coach Mike Lewis added: “It’s great to have that leadership from our seniors and even our young guys willing to come in and listen and talk. That was a real good sign of maturity and progress.”

Headed back to Wichita, the Lions have some comfort after gaining state-tournament experience in past seasons. Lawrence was state runner-up in 2015 and took third place last year.

Plus, there’s some familiarity with first-round opponent Manhattan. The two schools saw each other during a summer basketball tournament in Kansas City, Mo., and a couple of the Lions are AAU teammates with Manhattan players.

“We know what we’re getting into,” Lewis said. “We’re going to worry more about ourselves this week than our opponent. But we’ll be familiar with Manhattan.”

When the Lions clinched their trip to the state tournament with a win over Shawnee Mission East, players celebrated with students who rushed the court.

It was a chance to celebrate their final home game, and a relief to know that they steered their season back in the right direction.

“There was a little bit of doubt. We knew we could still get back to Wichita if we just played like the way we play,” Mallory said. “But at the time, the way we were playing, we knew there could be a little bit of a scare.”