photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence boys basketball team breaks a huddle during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.

Leavenworth –The Lawrence boys basketball team got a good look at themselves and other teams on Wednesday night in a preseason jamboree against Atchison and Leavenworth at Leavenworth High School.

The Lions played two games with three six-minute periods and played all 15 Lions who made the trip out. The jamboree gave everyone a chance to see some varsity minutes, even though the rotation will be cut down as the season gets started.

“It was a great learning experience,” Lawrence coach Nick Wood said. “I think we learned we’re not rebounding well, our transition defense is not where it needs to be, our ball screen stuff needs to be cleaned up… but I’m happy with how the guys did.”

Some of the things that stand out were the ball handling, young players stepping into bigger roles, the team’s length and the team’s defense.

The Lions underwent a large roster change over the offseason, and a lot of players are figuring out their role. What adds to that challenge is one of Lawrence’s experienced ball handlers, senior guard Eddie Roman Nose, is out with a lower leg injury until January.

Wednesday’s jamboree gave some other ball handlers an opportunity to set the team’s offense up into different sets and actions in a live-game situation.

“We have very capable guys stepping into that role,” Wood said. “We’re also trying to take some weight off their shoulders and push the heck out of the basketball instead of being so ball dominant. At times, we were very ball dominant as opposed to keeping the ball moving, so that’s just learning.”

Earlier in the jamboree, the Lions settled for more 3s than they did in the later game. Wood attributed some of that to young guys seeing the speed of the game for the first time, as well as the large number of rotations preventing players from getting into a typical rhythm. But while the team expects to utilize its 3-point shooting strength, finding ways to get the ball to the rim was a positive development over the course of the jamboree.

“We’re trying to play to our strengths, and we’re trying to create gaps so we can attack those gaps or guys can make plays for somebody else,” Wood said. “We do have some good length to take advantage of some mismatches. We had some guys standing at times. That’s just not what we can do, that makes it easy to guard. We have to get up and down, run and break the defense down.”

One of Wood’s criticisms was a lack of hustle in transition defense. Wood said it was a mindset issue, and it’s one that the team is focused on fixing. But a bright spot in that regard was sophomore guard Truth Pope.

Pope was a dynamic athlete on the court, both attacking the rim and getting steals in transition defense. His growth and confidence from his freshman to sophomore years could help him solidify a crucial role with the team.

“It starts with effort — his effort is fantastic,” Wood said. “Last year, it was more, ‘Hey, let’s get in there for 30 seconds to a minute and give them heck and guard like crazy…’ He’s shown his game is evolving, and he’s not just a defensive guy. He can make a lot happen for us.”

Lawrence’s length as a team stood out on the court as well. While the Lions lack an orthodox center with height, the Lions have a lot of lengthy forwards and guards who can make up for a lack of height with wingspan.

For several Lions, learning how to use that length properly on defense will be a key to Lawrence’s success.

“It needs to do a lot, but we think our length is going to be a strength,” Wood said. “It’s learning how to use it.”

Freshman Axl Bland joined the team this summer and has one of the best wingspans on the team. His length will be a big help for the Lions in rebounding and on defense, and Wood said the young Chesty Lion needs to keep growing into his body to maximize his potential.

“It’s hard to remember he’s just a freshman,” Wood said. “He’s going to be a special talent.”

Overall, the jamboree was a positive experience for the Lions, one that Wood was grateful for the team to go through a few days before the official start to the season. Lawrence will start the season on the road with J.C. Harmon High School on Friday at 7 p.m.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore forward Joey Dooley drives with the ball during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore guard Truth Pope drives to the basket during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Adrick Webb looks to pass the ball during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Zyon Wisdom holds the ball in the paint during the Leavenworth jamboree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Leavenworth.