photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Macyn Ramsay jumps for a layup during a win over Olathe East on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

OLATHE — Lawrence boys and girls basketball traveled to Olathe East on Tuesday, where the girls got a big 63-44 win thanks to their defense, while the boys lost 70-24.

The Lawrence girls basketball team pulled off the road win after a full-court press both forced the Hawks to turn the ball over on offense and jumpstarted the Lawrence offense with a quick transition attack.

“We played with a lot more energy and emotion, and we sustained that a lot longer than we have been,” Lawrence coach Jeff Dickson said. “We got them on their heels a little bit. They’re a well-coached team; it’s hard to do that.”

It took a few minutes for the Lions to score, but they held the Hawks to two points through the first four minutes. Six seconds past the midway point of the opening quarter, the Lions got on the board with sophomore Machin Ramsay’s finish through contact. Not long after, freshman Marley Doleman added two free throws, giving the Lions the lead.

The Hawks converted a free throw before Lawrence went on a dominant run to close the quarter, scoring 11 points unanswered in the final two minutes as the Lions forced numerous turnovers, which led to transition points.

Sometimes, when the Lions turn to a press defense, they get stretched and opposing offenses find holes to attack and score. In Tuesday’s win, the Lions avoided that by keeping their feet moving.

“We did a way better job of containing their ball handlers, and when they did try to throw long, we just swarmed,” Dickson said. “We didn’t wait for the pass to get there; we went on the throw and created havoc.”

Freshman Layla Simmons hit a 3-pointer to start things off. Ramsay threw a full-court pass to sophomore Zoey Barber for a layup, junior Cami Nauholz hit a layup from an assist by Simmons, who later assisted on a bucket from senior Jada Baars-Turner. Ramsay finished the quarter with a bucket on an assist from Baars-Turner.

The Hawks started the second quarter with a bucket, but the Lions continued to dominate. Nauholz scored after an assist from sophomore Lucy Juelsgaard, followed by two free throws from Doleman. The Hawks connected on a 3-pointer, but the Lions continued on a 12-0 run. Nauholz and Ramsay scored all 12 points and gave the Lions a 31-8 lead. By halftime, the Hawks cut the lead closer to 20 points at 35-15.

Lawrence came out strong in the second half, but Olathe East still managed to gain some momentum. Both teams traded buckets while the lead stayed around 20 points in favor of the Lions. But, late in the third, the Hawks finished on a 15-6 run, which put Olathe East in the game with a 10-point deficit.

“This is the Sunflower League on the road,” Dickson said. “They have a lot of pride. We knew a run was coming. We wanted it to be shorter. We gave up a big run last game and didn’t recover. This time, we came back together and got to the free throw line and got a steal or two.”

Nauholz ended the third with two free throws and started the fourth with a layup through contact. Doleman and Nauholz each scored again, which kept the Hawks from carrying the momentum from the third quarter into the final quarter. Ramsay scored through contact and hit the and-1 free throw afterward, making it a 16-point game. The Lions finished on a 9-5 run to end the game and secure the 63-44 win.

For the Lawrence boys basketball team, the Lions quickly fell behind and couldn’t gather themselves in a blowout loss to Olathe East.

“We talked after (Friday’s) game … we have until the end of February to create who we want to be,” Lawrence coach Nick Wood said. “They want their identity to be a team that loves one another and competes. Today, that identity was challenged. That was hard.”

The Hawks scored the first seven points of the game, while Lawrence sophomore Simon Simien scored the first points for LHS on two free throws. After the Hawks added another 10 points, sophomore Truth Pope scored a 2-pointer for the Lions. The Hawks hit two 3s to end the quarter and took a 23-4 lead.

“They came out and got after us,” Wood said. “They were bigger, stronger, faster. Regardless of that, what are we going to do about that? Because there are going to be nights like that.”

Lawrence was nearly shut out in the second quarter, with sophomore Lincoln Neuhofel hitting a 3-pointer late to give the Lions their first bucket of the quarter. Simien scored a late 2-pointer to close the quarter with the Hawks up 39-9.

The third quarter wasn’t much better for Lawrence, as the Hawks added to their lead at 58-16. Senior Devin Foster scored the first bucket of the quarter for the Lions, while senior Jaxon Becker scored his first of the game midway through the quarter. Sophomore Joey Dooley hit a 3-pointer late for the final bucket of the quarter.

Dooley continued to score into the fourth, but the Hawks quickly closed out their 70-24 win.

“That’s not OK,” Wood said. “They put in too much work and effort to not go out and compete better. But we learn from it and move on.”

Lawrence’s boys and girls basketball teams will be on the road again on Friday to face Mill Valley.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Zoey Barber throws an inbound pass during a win over Olathe East on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Cami Nauholz looks to pass during a win over Olathe East on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Jada Baars-Turner, right, and freshman Layla Simmons contest a pass during a win over Olathe East on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Adrick Webb dribbles the ball in a road loss to Olathe East on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Eddie Roman Nose drives to the basket in a road loss to Olathe East on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Lincoln Neuhofel dribbles in a road loss to Olathe East on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Joey Dooley guards a ball handler in a road loss to Olathe East on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.