Lawrence High senior Hannah Stewart attempts to get past an Olathe West defender Tuesday night on Feb. 4, 2019 at LHS.

Lawrence High senior Hannah Stewart set the tone on the game’s first possession when she canned a 3-pointer with ease.

Olathe West, like most opposing teams, attempted to take away Lawrence’s best player by clogging up the lane to make things difficult for KU signee Chisom Ajekwu. The Owls ran a zone defense, and Stewart took advantage immediately.

Stewart connected on four 3-pointers, including three in the opening period alone, on her way to a game-high 16 points in Lawrence’s 61-30 victory over Olathe West Tuesday night at LHS.

“That’s the best we have played all year,” LHS coach Jeff Dickson said. “That’s the game plan: You are either going to try to foul Chisom out or you going to put three or four players around her and try to force other people to score. We have kids that are capable of doing that, so it was gratifying to see that.”

Four players scored in double figures for the Lions (9-5, 4-2 Sunflower League) in the lopsided win, which made it difficult for the Owls (6-9, 1-6) to key on one particular player.

Senior Sammy Williams registered 15 points after getting on a roll in the second half. Olathe West eventually had to stretch its defense out, allowing Ajekwu to finish with 14 points. Sophomore Ozi Ajekwu provided instrumental scoring off the bench, recording 11 points for LHS.

“Honestly, that’s what we shoot for,” Dickson said. “Sammy Williams was so good tonight. She was so aggressive and looking for her shot. Hannah is always one of the top guards in the league. When we start hitting on all cylinders, we are a tough team to beat.”

Lawrence was perhaps even more dominant on the defensive end behind a collective effort.

Junior Sophie DeWitt played prolific defense on sophomore Bailey Collar, who is Olathe West’s go-to option. When DeWitt needed a break, senior Evann Seratte was there to pick up right where she left off.

LHS senior Leslie Ostronic got in the passing lanes multiple times, while junior Ella Stewart managed to draw a key charge in the second quarter. The Lions were constantly getting to the floor to snatch up loose balls, as well.

“The 50/50 balls were ours,” Stewart said. “We are trying to start a little winning streak, so it started tonight.”

LHS, which was coming off a 49-43 loss to Olathe North, appeared poised to get back on track from the start.

Stewart scored 11 of the team’s first 13 points to answer Olathe West’s early charge. Once the Owls evened the score at 13-13, the Lions closed the opening period on a 7-0 run to take control of the game and never looked back.

Williams then engineered a decisive run in the third quarter to help Lawrence pull away for good. Williams netted four consecutive buckets during a 14-0 run by the Lions in the final 3:24 of the third period.

Lawrence scored all 14 points on seven layups, 6 of which were assisted due to great ball movement along the perimeter.

“It was important to pull them out of their zone, because it softens up the inside,” Williams said. “If you can beat them shooting, you have more options.”

Lawrence travels to Shawnee Mission West at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

OLATHE WEST (30)

Kenzie Hart 1-6 1-2 3, Michelle Anderson 0-3 0-0 0, Bailey Collar 5-13 2-2 13, Ayiana Uhde 4-9 0-0 8, Macy Glover 0-2 2-2 2, Ashley Gibson 1-7 2-2 4, Anaiya Uhde 0-1 0-0 0, Kendall Starcevich 0-3 0-2 0, Alyssa Moore 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 11-45 7-10 30.

LAWRENCE (61)

Hannah Stewart 6-9 0-0 16, Leslie Ostronic 0-1 0-0 0, Sammy Williams 7-12 1-2 15, Sophie DeWitt 0-3 0-0 0, Chisom Ajekwu 7-13 0-0 14, Evann Seratte 0-2 0-0 0, Ozi Ajekwu 5-12 1-6 11, Ella Stewart 2-9 0-0 5, Paiden Bell 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 27-63 2-8 61.

Olathe West 13 8 6 3 — 30

Lawrence 20 11 21 9 — 61

3-point goals: OW 1-19 (Collar); LHS 5-14 (H. Stewart 4, E. Stewart). Turnovers: OW 19, LHS 13. Fouled out: None.

LHS boys bounce back with double-digit win

Following its first loss since the season opener, Lawrence’s boys basketball team got back on track in a big way.

Behind a huge second quarter, LHS pushed its way to a 74-58 home victory over Olathe West Tuesday night. The double-digit win came just five days after the Lions suffered an 81-73 loss to Olathe North, which ended an 11-game win streak.

Lawrence (12-2, 5-1 Sunflower League) erased an early deficit with a 21-point outburst in the second period, while holding Olathe West to just 5 points. Owls head coach Brad Ball was ejected after being issued a pair of technical fouls early in the second period.

All five LHS starters scored in double figures. Seniors Clarence King and Brett Chapple, along with sophomore Zeke Mayo, all scored 15 points. Senior Trey Quartlebaum netted 13 points, while junior Mayson Quartlebaum finished with 12 points.

LHS travels to Shawnee Mission West at 7 p.m. Friday.

OLATHE WEST (58)

Alston Mason 5-18 7-10 19, Cougar Downing 0-6 2-2 2, Jon Jenkin 2-6 0-0 4, Dominic Messina 8-18 0-0 18, Carter Lichtsinn 2-6 3-4 8, Sam Nicodemus 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 20-61 12-18 58.

LAWRENCE (74)

Zeke Mayo 5-15 4-5 15, Clarence King 7-9 1-1 15, Mayson Quartlebaum 4-12 4-4 12, Brett Chapple 5-11 5-10 15, Trey Quartlebaum 4-11 4-6 13, Bryant Graham Willie Dotson 1-2 0-0 3. Totals: 26-61 19-28 74.

Olathe West 19 5 21 13 — 58

Lawrence 17 21 12 24 — 74

3-point goals: OW 6-20 (Mason 2, Messina 2, Lichstinn, Nicodemus); LHS 3-17 (Mayo, Quartlebaum, Dotson). Turnovers: OW 9, LHS 10. Fouled out: None.