photo by: Chance Parker

Lawrence junior forward Grant Cleavinger attempts a shot over the Grandview defender Saturday afternoon at Blue Valley High School on Dec. 12, 2020. The Lions defeated the Bulldogs, 67-59, to improve to 4-0 on the year.

Lawrence High’s boys basketball team did a good job of making sure one loss didn’t turn into two in a row, as the team bounced back to earn a 72-64 win over Gardner Edgerton Thursday night at LHS.

After falling to Blue Valley Northwest (No. 1 in Class 6A) on the road two days ago, LHS (9-1, No. 2 in Class 6A) started out in front and stayed there during its home opener. The Lions grabbed a 18-12 lead in the opening period before outscoring the opposition over the next two quarters as well.

The Trailblazers (2-8) made things interesting down the stretch with a 29-point outburst in the final period, but the Lions were able to hang on in the end.

Lawrence had four players finish in double figures in the win. Grant Cleavinger and Zeke Mayo each led the team with 19 points apiece. Cleavinger went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, while Mayo knocked down a pair of 3-pointers.

Pearse Long wasn’t far behind either of his teammates, chipping in 18 points for LHS. He netted all six of his attempts from the free throw line. Truman Juelsgaard joined them in double figures with 10 points.

Mayo also paced the squad with a total of 14 rebounds, which included 11 on the defensive end.

Lawrence will host Olathe South (No. 7 in Class 6A) on Tuesday. The game will begin at 7 p.m.

Gardner 12 11 12 29 — 64

Lawrence 18 15 17 22 — 72

Lawrence (72)

Zeke Mayo 19, Jack Ryan 1, Truman Juelsgaard 10, Jackson Dooley 2, Ntense Obono 3, Grant Cleavinger 19, Pearse Long 18.