LHS's Brett Chapple (white) drives past Free State junior Turner Corcoran (black) in the City Showdown at Lawrence High School, February 11, 2019.

True to his character, Lawrence High senior Brett Chapple’s favorite basketball moment features a rebound.

Chapple has enjoyed his fair share of postseason basketball in his four years with the Lions. Just two days before his final postseason with LHS, Chapple reflected on what remains his favorite moment as a high school basketball player.

It took place during his sophomore year in the state championship game, which Lawrence finished as the 6A runner-up.

“Jackson Mallory shot the ball, and I got an offensive rebound,” Chapple said. “I got an and-one. We were down by 24, and we were coming back.”

The Lions fell short of their comeback bid, but it exemplified Chapple’s role throughout his basketball career.

Chapple is instrumental to Lawrence’s success as the glue guy. Chapple is willing to do the dirty work when so many basketball players can be focused on putting up points. Chapple is the team’s best rebounder, and he’s got a nice assortment of post moves to notch buckets in traffic.

“When I was little, one of my fourth-grade coaches called me the rebound king,” Chapple said. “I didn’t really think much of it, because everyone wanted to score back then. I just stuck to my role.”

Chapple is also a strong defender. He makes life difficult on opposing players by being physical on every possession.

“He can pick up the garbage baskets, and his defense has been really good the last couple of weeks,” LHS head coach Mike Lewis said. “He chooses to want to be a rebounder. There are plenty of kids that are talented enough to be a rebounder, they just don’t want to.”

Chapple has been the same type of player for the last three years, though he’s shown a willingness to embrace a larger role.

As a senior, Chapple has been asked to lead by example. He’s also shown the ability to look for his shot when the opportunity presents itself. Chapple netted a 3-pointer from the baseline in the final game of the regular season against Olathe South, which helped Lawrence (17-3, No. 5 in Class 6A) notched the team’s first league title since the 2014-15 season.

On a team loaded with talented scorers, someone like Chapple can be crucial to the squad’s success.

Seniors Clarence King and Trey Quartlebaum, along with sophomore Zeke Mayo, consistently produce big performances. Junior Mayson Quartlebaum has provided plenty of scoring off the bench, as well.

“It always makes me happy to see my teammates have good games,” Chapple said. “As long as we are winning, it doesn’t really matter.”

On the rare occasion that they miss, Chapple is there to clean it up in the paint. That type of play will be essential if Lawrence hopes to notch a fifth consecutive state berth, and eventually try to claim the program’s first state title since 1995.

Lawrence will play host to Wichita South at 6 p.m. Wednesday. With a win, LHS would host the winner of Garden City/Liberal in the sub-state championship at 7 p.m. Friday.

“The seniors have been around and they have seen the success, and what it takes to get there, so it is nothing new to them,” Lewis said. “I think there is a sense of a shared responsibility with this team, where the weight isn’t on anybody’s shoulders.”