Lawrence High senior winter sports athletes, front row from left, Anthony Selden (boys basketball) and E'lease Stafford (girls basketball). Back row, Relle Dye (wrestling), Treyton Trujillo (boys swimming) and Melle Dye (wrestling).

About two weeks following the start of practices and tryouts, the winter sports season at Lawrence High has finally arrived.

All of Lawrence’s teams will officially open their seasons within the next week. Here is a look at all of the Lions’ winter sports programs:

Boys basketball

After playing in the Class 6A state championship game for the second time in the last three years, Lawrence High’s boys basketball team is optimistic it will sustain its level of success.

Ranked No. 3 in the preseason coaches poll, the Lions will return guards Clarence King and Trey Quartlebaum, and forwards Brett Chapple and Anthony Selden. King, recovering a broken kneecap in AAU basketball, was the team’s leading scorer last year and Chapple was the top rebounder.

“We have players who are returning that know what it takes to be successful,” ninth-year coach Mike Lewis said. “They understand their roles as leaders and try to lead by example most days.”

The Lions, who had a 17-8 record last season, are hoping for big seasons from senior Jake Rajewski, senior Steven Strickland and junior Savonni Shazor.

“I like our depth and feel like our depth will be a strength,” Lewis said.

Lawrence won’t play in a home game until January, starting the season on the road against Topeka at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Girls basketball

Last season, Lawrence’s girls basketball team accomplished a goal of returning to the 6A state tournament for the first time in nine years.

Fast forward a year and the Lions hope to put themselves in position to add a state championship trophy. One of the biggest bonuses for the Lions is their long list of returners, which includes Hannah Stewart, Tyrin Cosey, E’lease Stafford, Talima Harjo, Chisom Ajekwu, Sammy Williams, Asia Goodwin and Leslie Ostronic.

Stafford, signed to play at Tennessee State, was named the Sunflower League’s co-Player of the Year last year.

“Our challenge to is remember the amount of hard work, effort and together it takes to be good,” fourth-year coach Jeff Dickson said. “You have to be consistent on a daily basis and bring effort and intensity in every drill in every practice every single day. If we can do those things we have a chance to be exceptional.”

Ranked No. 5 in 6A, the Lions will travel to Topeka for their season opener at 6 p.m. Friday.

Wrestling

There will be plenty of inexperienced wrestlers in Lawrence’s program this season, but 12th-year coach Pat Naughton is confident they will all learn quickly.

“We will make mistakes and that is OK,” Naughton said. “We will build our confidence throughout the season.”

The Lions will be led by returning state qualifiers Melle Dye, who is ranked fifth at 145 pounds in 6A, and Relle Dye. Senior transfer Reggie Clemons took fourth place at 132 pounds in Arkansas last year.

“Each team member has something to contribute to each other,” Naughton said. “We will try to cultivate an environment that each team member feels that they are accepted and a part of team.”

LHS opens in the Leavenworth Tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Boys swimming

Kent McDonald has coached Lawrence’s boys swimming and diving team for 12 years and this season will provide his largest team.

After taking ninth at state, the Lions will be led by Stephen Johnson, Alex Heckman, Dylan Bierschbach, Treyton Trujillo, Luis Torres, Anton Martinez de Velasco and Patrick Steinbach. Newcomers Tyler Jones and Giovanni Lule-Paredes are expected to contribute strong seasons.

With more than 40 swimmers, McDonald said there are some challenges with space in the pool for practices. But the Lions will work on conditioning and their strokes at the beginning of the year.

“We have two school record holders on the team, Stephen Johnson and Alex Heckman,” McDonald said. “They should provide the leadership, as well as the race results, the team needs this season.”

Lawrence will begin the year at the Free State Invitational at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.