photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King goes up for a layup against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

Overland Park — Even with 27 points from senior star Zaxton King, the Lawrence High boys basketball team fell short in the second half in a 68-58 loss at Blue Valley Southwest in Friday night’s regular-season opener.

A big first half from King and junior Avery Johnson (17 points) kept the Chesty Lions (0-1) competitive with Southwest senior forward Evan Peters throughout the night. LHS also received some help from junior Banks Bowen (five points) and six more points by sophomore Josh Galbreath off the bench.

It was Southwest’s trio of senior guards – Alex Parks (16 points), Jackson Boncynski (15 points) and Dylan Dunn (12 points) – who kept LHS in check throughout the night. The Timberwolves’ defense also forced 11 total turnovers.

First-year LHS head coach Nick Wood, working with an inexperienced varsity roster, said his team still put on an encouraging performance.

“That was a high-level basketball game,” Wood said. “I thought we played pretty dang well offensively … I think it just comes down to comfort. That’s the first varsity game for a lot of these guys out there; they’re going to get better and better, and I’m excited to see that growth.”

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King loses control of the ball against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

The Lions relied heavily on King, who opened the game spotless from the arc (4 of 4), throughout much of the first quarter to keep up with Peters. LHS capitalized on a pair of late Southwest turnovers and pulled ahead, entering the second quarter with a 21-15 lead. The Lions still weren’t finding much success inside, but Johnson hit four consecutive 3-point shots, and LHS led the Timberwolves 31-26 with three minutes to go in the second quarter.

Then, a six-point surge by Dylan Dunn and five LHS turnovers before the half let Southwest even things up at 34 apiece by the time both squads headed into the locker room.

Southwest found a groove behind Dunn and senior Tate Everard – who both scored in double figures – in the third quarter, and it also shut down the Lions’ once-effective 3-point shooting. By the start of the final quarter, the Timberwolves were up by 11.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior, Kem Allen, passes the ball off to a teammate against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

The Lions got within eight points, trailing Southwest 60-52 with just under five minutes to go, thanks to 3s from King, Johnson and senior Gordon Fineday. Technical fouls against King and Southwest’s Everard slowed things down with a minute to go. After a free bucket by King, LHS was still down by eight; Southwest pulled even further away with another 2 by Bonczynski; and the Lions simply ran out of time.

After the game, King said the raucous fourth-quarter environment was something this LHS team would need to learn to navigate better.

“We’re just trying to keep our spirits high and bringing energy throughout the game,” King said. “Tempers were flying and stuff (in the fourth quarter), but we’ve got to do a better job of not getting too heated.”

Next up, LHS will compete in the Blue Valley Shootout beginning Dec. 13. Tipoff and schedule are TBD.

BOX SCORE:

Lawrence 21 13 10 14 – 58

Blue Valley Southwest 15 19 21 13 – 68

Lawrence High (58) Zaxton King 9-12 4-8 27; Avery Johnson 6-10 0-0 17; Banks Bowen 2-3 1-2 5; Gordon Fineday 1-6 0-0 3; Kem Allen 0-1 0-0 -. Totals: 19-38 9-16 58.

Blue Valley Southwest (68) Eli Mick 2-3 1-2 5; 1 5-10 3-4 15; Alex Parks 5-11 3-3 16; Dylan Dunn 4-8 4-4 12; Emmitt Peters 4-5 0-0 12. Totals: 22-46 15-19 68.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King shoots a 3-pointer against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Banks Bowen goes up for a layup against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King goes on a fast break after stealing the ball against Blue Valley Southwest Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Josh Galbreath fights for possession of the ball Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Overland Park against Blue Valley Southwest.