photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High's Brynnae Johnson (11) sets up to dribble around Blue Valley West's Kendal Ford (10) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

A 3-pointer by senior Cyrenity Hardy-Billy lifted the Lawrence High girls basketball team over Blue Valley West 53-50 in overtime on Tuesday, capping off an impressive come-from-behind victory at home.

Falling with just four seconds remaining, Hardy-Billy’s late 3 concluded a scrappy performance by the Lady Lions (2-1), one that saw double-figure scoring nights by junior Brynnae Johnson (14 points) and freshman Cami Nauholz (13 points) pave the way for the overtime battle.

LHS, finishing just 3 of 18 from the arc when regulation expired, picked up three much-needed 3s from Hardy-Billy and senior Destiny Savannah (seven total points) in four minutes of overtime basketball. Johnson chipped in two more points at the charity stripe before the night wrapped.

photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Destiny Savannah (4) goes up for a layup over Blue Valley West’s Addie Davis (30) and Brooke Carter (25) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

On the BV West (1-1) side, senior Makenzie Galliart finished the night 5 of 6 from the floor for 15 total points. Seniors Kendal Ford (12 points) and Marisa Tomlen (10 points) also scored in double-digits.

The dramatic finish, no secret to LHS head coach Jeff Dickson, means long-term benefits for his girls as the season heats up with a road trip to Shawnee Mission East on Friday.

“I think that’s going to give them a lot of confidence going into a pretty hostile environment,” Dickson said. “We’re not super experienced with this group yet, in terms of finishing time, so when it comes to experience this was huge.”

photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Azura Clark (2) looks to pass the ball due to tight defense by Blue Valley West’s Marisa Tomlen (33) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

It wasn’t the brightest of starts for the Lions, either. LHS opened the night cold making just 3 of 13 attempts from the floor, but still within an arm’s length, down 13-10, when the first quarter wrapped.

The Jaguars, forcing five turnovers by the Lions before halftime, led by as much as 10 in the second quarter behind two 3s by Tomlen and junior Millie Reitz (four points).

Save for a late push that saw LHS cut within seven of the Jaguars before halftime, Dickson said the first half sent his group into the locker room eager to battle back.

photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Emma Roman Nose (3) plays close defense on Blue Valley West’s Brooke Carter (25) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

“(BV West) did a good job on us,” Dickson said. “We tried stealing the ball too much, there were a lot of things we could’ve done better … The kids were excited and ready to go and just wanted a chance to see if they could get themselves back into it.”

The second half saw an increased presence from Nauholz, who knocked down an and-1 basket late in the fourth quarter to keep the Lions within reach. Nauholz’s eight points – and two points apiece from Johnson and Hardy-Billy – helped LHS earn overtime with the Jaguars.

While the Lions were far from their best shooting performance, Dickson said his group tested itself, once again, finishing overtime 3 of 5 from the field on its way toward the win.

photo by: Carter Gaskins/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Brynnae Johnson (11) looks to make a move to the basket around Blue Valley West’s Kendal Ford (10) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

Dickson was glad his group kept testing the 3-point line.

“We still have great shooters, but I’ve been surprised we haven’t shot it better,” Dickson said. “A lot of that has to do with the defenses we’re facing and they know which kids can hit shots. What I love about it is they kept shooting, because so many times kids won’t do that.”

BOX SCORE:

Lawrence High (53) Emma Roman Nose 3-4 0-0 6; Destiny Savannah 2-5 1-2 7; Brynnae Johnson 4-15 5-6 14; Cami Nauholz 5-8 3-8 13; Cyrenity Hardy-Billy 2-5 2-2 8. Totals: 18-48 11-18 53.

Blue Valley West (50) Kendal Ford 4-9 3-4 12; Millie Reitz 1-3 0-2 3; Liv Gutierrez 2-4 0-2 4; Marisa Tomlen 4-10 0-0 10; Mackenzie Galliart 5-6 4-6 15. Totals: 18-41 9-16 50.