photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior guard Brynane Johnson jumps for a layup against Shawnee Mission South in Lawrence on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

Both Lawrence High School basketball teams struggled on Tuesday night with blowout losses to Shawnee Mission South at home.

The Lawrence girls basketball team had a hard time defending Shawnee Mission South in their game.

The Raiders entered the game with a 6-1 conference record, tied for best in the Sunflower League, and showed just how they got there with a bevy of 3s and hot defense that culminated in a nearly 30-point lead and a 49-20 victory.

Not only did the Raiders hit a large number of 3-pointers in the game, but they also gave the Lions fits with their zone defense. The Lions struggled to hold on to the ball, turning it over in transition and in their half-court offense, leading to numerous fast-break opportunities for Shawnee Mission South.

The Raiders took a 10-2 lead midway through the opening quarter. They added six points on three field goals compared to the Lions one field goal and a free throw. Lawrence finished the quarter down 16-5 and on the other end of a 6-0 run.

Shawnee Mission South’s 3-point shooting only got better in the second quarter. The first three field goals for the Raiders were on 3s, and four of the five made shots of the quarter were from distance. Lawrence’s Brynnae Johnson scored on a layup in the second quarter and added a point on a free throw, but the only other Lion to score in the quarter was Cami Nauholz, who scored on a tip-in to give the Lions double-digit points. Halftime came with the Raiders leading 30-10.

The second half wasn’t any better for Lawrence. The Raiders started with two 3-pointers and a fast-break layup in between them before the Lions scored.

Lawrence freshman Jayla Colter made a free throw and Nauholz hit a 3-pointer to spark a little offense, but the Raiders followed it up with seven points starting at the end of the third quarter through the start of the fourth quarter. The Lions scored 6 points in the final quarter.

The Lawrence boys didn’t fare any better. The Raiders put pressure on the Lions early, and the Lions couldn’t shake off the defense in a 74-27 loss.

Lawrence freshman Joey Dooley hit a game-opening 3-point shot, but the LHS offense went cold after that. The Raiders went on an 11-2 run, followed by a 12-4 run to close the quarter.

The Raiders weren’t just explosive on defense. They had several full-court passes with a dunker getting behind the Lions’ defense. When the Raiders had the ball in their half-court offense, the ball moved around quickly and often found an open man beneath the rim.

By halftime, Shawnee Mission South led 41-15. Lawrence scored four points on two field goals in the final five minutes of the quarter, while the Raiders scored 14.

The Lions came out of halftime with a couple of buckets, but every shot was matched by the Raiders. Missed free throws didn’t help as the Raiders kept scoring at a fast pace. The third quarter ended with the Raiders up 60-27, and continued to push the pace and score through the final minutes of the game.

Both the boys and girls basketball teams will host Olathe Northwest on Friday.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior D’ema Barnes makes an inbound pass against Shawnee Mission South in Lawrence on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior guard Nyasia Ramos dribbles the ball against Shawnee Mission South in Lawrence on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman forward Joey Dooley passes to the corner against Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior guard Aden Ramirez tries to get around a defender against Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Lawrence.