photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Destiny Savannah (4) chases down a loose ball from Grandview freshman Trinity Harris during a game against Grandview on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City, Mo. – There’s still much to learn about the Lawrence High girls basketball team’s ceiling, LHS coach Jeff Dickson said, after a 49-31 loss to Grandview at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic on Tuesday at Hy-Vee Arena.

The Lady Lions (3-2), fresh off come-from-behind victories over Blue Valley West (53-50 OT) and Shawnee Mission East (47-40), were seemingly out of character, tallying up five fouls and a 13-point hole to the Bulldogs heading into halftime.

The signs of fatigue snowballed from tipoff, LHS coach Jeff Dickson said. The Lions coughed up five of their 15 total turnovers in the first quarter.

“We’re getting off to bad starts and turnovers are a big part of it,” Dickson said. “We’re not comfortable in what we’re trying to do if that’s how we’re reacting to it.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Cyrenity Hardy-Billy (20) blocks a shot by Grandview sophomore Lariah Tucker during a game against Grandview on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

Freshman Cami Nauholz (4-of-5) led LHS with a team-high 10 points, with Junior Brynnae Johnson adding seven more points behind her.

Helping the stat sheet, seniors Azura Clark (4 points), Miri Pickman (2), and junior Nyasia Ramos (3) chipped in nine combined points off the bench.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Emma Roman Nose defends Grandview sophomore Micah Kirkwood from the lane during a game against Grandview on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was Grandview junior Jada Smith’s game-high 24 points that kept LHS on its heels.

Smith opened the night by knocking down two 3s in the first quarter and dropped three more in the second half to keep the Lions in check. Alongside Smith, senior Sh’Riyah Wright tallied 10 points to keep the Bulldogs comfortable.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Nyasia Ramos puts up a shot during a game against Grandview on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

“We got outcoached and unprepared tonight,” Dickson said. “Grandview is a very disciplined and veteran team and they picked us apart.”

Even with two 3s by Ramos and senior Cyrenity Hardy-Billy in the third quarter, LHS trailed by 16 heading into the fourth quarter. Six turnovers by Grandview weren’t enough to turn the tide, as the Bulldogs ran away with the win.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Miri Pickman (24), senior Destiny Savannah (4) and junior Brynnae Johnson (11) block Grandview sophomore Micah Kirkwood from the lane during a game against Grandview on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the 12 Courts of Christmas Classic at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

The loss, LHS’ first since Dec. 8 against Olathe South at home (59-30), has Dickson rethinking his floor lineups heading into the holiday break.

“Our puzzle isn’t fitting together the way I know it can,” Dickson said. “And it’s up to me to do that. Our kids work hard and they care so we will be back to work at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.”

LHS travels to Shawnee Mission Northwest on Jan. 5.

BOX SCORE:

Lawrence High (31) Emma Roman Nose 1-4 0-0 2; Destiny Savannah 0-3 0-2 -; Brynnae Johnson 3-14 0-0 7; Cami Nauholz 4-5 2-2 10; Cyrenity Hardy-Billy 1-5 0-0 3. Totals: 13-45 2-6 31.

Grandview High (49) Micah Kirkwood 1-5 0-0 2; Lariah Tucker 2-5 1-1 5; Jada Smith 9-13 1-1 24; Sh’Riyah Wright 3-11 4-5 10; Trinity Harris 2-4 0-0 6. Totals: 18-39 6-7 49.

LHS 10 3 12 6 – 31 GHS 19 7 15 8 – 49

3-point goals: LHS: 3-21 (); GHS: 7-13 (). Turnovers: LHS 15, GHS 15. Fouled Out: None.