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

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King, attempts a heavily guarded layup Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, against Mill Valley in Shawnee

Shawnee – A roaring road crowd didn’t keep the Lawrence High boys basketball team from challenging Sunflower League favorite Mill Valley in a 53-39 loss on Friday night.

LHS (1-7) kept the Jaguars (6-2) on their toes right down to the fourth quarter, with senior Zaxton King’s game-high 27 points leading the fight. Helping out across the floor, senior Gordon Fineday came off the bench for seven points.

The Lions are learning how to play as a collective unit, LHS head coach Nick Wood said.

“We’re creating an identity for who we need to be, regardless of the outcome, and today they did that,” Wood said. “There was tremendous growth… Nobody wants their record to be where ours is, but the reality is that’s where we are as a team.”

Both squads opened the night shooting poorly, with LHS (2 of 9) trailing Mill Valley (3 of 16) just 8-5 when the first quarter wrapped. King was the only source of production for LHS early, scoring all five points for the Lions.

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

Lawrence High senior Zaxton King passes the ball off after tracking down a loose ball against Mill Valley Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Shawnee.

Mill Valley sophomore Jakhai Carter broke the mold in the second quarter, knocking down a 3-point basket to send the Jaguars ahead 15-7 with four minutes left in the half.

The LHS defense, forcing five turnovers before halftime, limited the Jaguars from the floor late in the second quarter, allowing a single basket during the final two minutes. Responding just before the break, Fineday knocked down a three-pointer of his own to help LHS stay within a possession, trailing 17-16, heading into the locker room.

Wood said his bench is starting to understand their role and what their minutes on the floor mean to the other four players on the floor.

“It’s taking us some time to figure out how we can play defensively in ways we can be successful,” Wood said. “They’re starting to figure it out and I’m figuring out how to best put those kids in the situations to grow.”

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

Lawrence High senior Gordon Fineday Jr makes a one handed shot against Mill Valley Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Shawnee.

Mill Valley senior Mason Kemp had a big third quarter with 10 points, helping the Jaguars claim some control on the Lions, leading 39-24, when the third quarter wrapped.

But LHS wasn’t going away just yet. LHS delivered some defensive highlights throughout the fourth quarter, trimming its deficit down to 9 with just over three minutes to play.

Coming off the bench, LHS sophomore Edward Roman Nose registered a steal and two points down the stretch to help the Lions bite at their opponents’ heels. Ten more points by King and a 3-pointer by junior Jaylen Parks pushed LHS in the right direction – but it wasn’t enough.

Foul trouble hindered the Lions’ comeback chances – senior Avery Johnson, junior Banks Bowen and sophomore Josh Galbreath each picked up their fourth foul before the final bell rang – and the Jaguars pulled away.

Wood said the loss – even sour tasting – means better things are on the horizon for his team.

“My concern going into the season, with so much inexperience, was that our schedule set us up for tough sledding,” Wood said. “My concern is can we hang in there through these tough times and that’s what we’re challenging them to do.”

LHS travels to Hayden Catholic for an invitational tournament on Thursday, Jan. 18.

BOX SCORE:

LHS 5 11 8 15 – 39

MVHS 8 9 22 14 – 53

Lawrence High (39) Zaxton King 8-15 8-10 27; Avery Johnson 0-5 0-0 -; Banks Bowen 0-1 0-0 -; Josh Galbreath 0-2 0-0 -; Jaylen Parks 1-4 0-0 3. Totals: 12-35 10-12 39. Shawnee-Mill Valley (53) Jakhai Carter 3-14 1-1 8; Reece Riedel 5-12 7-8 17; Kael Drummond 1-2 2-4 5; Bryant Wiltse 1-3 1-1 3; Mason Kemp 7-11 4-4 18. Totals: 18-46 15-18 53.

3-point goals: LHS: 5-20 (); MVHS: 2-12 (). Turnovers: LHS 11, MVHS 8. Fouled Out: None.

LHS girls snap losing skid at Mill Valley

Leading by as much as 23 at one point, the Lawrence High girls basketball team fought off Mill Valley, picking up a 46-36 win on the road, in a heated fourth quarter.

The win snaps a three-game losing skid for the Lady Lions (4-4), who earned their third Sunflower League win of the season.

“(I’m) so proud of the girls tonight,” LHS head coach Jeff Dickson said. “It was our best defensive effort, yet… Great leadership from our captains. They are going to really be good as they mature. I was impressed with their effort and toughness.”

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

Lawrence High senior Azura Clark is fouled late in the game against Mill Valley Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Shawnee.

LHS was the aggressor from the jump, with junior Brynnae Johnson (17 total points) running the show early with seven first-quarter points. Starting the second quarter on a 6-3 run, freshman Cami Nauholz (11 points) kicked the Lions into high gear with a three-point jumper as Lawrence went into the break with a 27-12 lead.

Johnson left the game with an apparent knee injury midway through the third quarter, challenging the Lions to finish the without their key offensive weapon.

Mill Valley, led by freshman Riley Marshall’s 19 points, staged a late comeback at the bottom of the third quarter and cut within as close as six points of LHS with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

LHS senior Azura Clark made all seven of her points in the fourth quarter to help the Lions escape the Jaguars (1-8).

LHS travels to Spring Hill on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE:

LHS 13 14 11 8 – 46

MVHS 3 9 10 14 – 36

Lawrence High (46) Emma Roman Nose 2-2 2-5 7; Destiny Savannah 1-4 0-0 2; Brynnae Johnson 6-9 4-6 17; Cami Nauholz 4-7 2-2 11; Cyrenity Hardy-Billy 0-3 2-2 2. Totals: 14-28 15-23 46.

Mill Valley (36) Marissa Hoelting 0-0 0-0 -; Josie Benson 3-3 0-0 8; Paige Roth 1-4 1-2 3; Averie Landon 1-2 1-2 4; Riley Marshall 6-16 6-10 19. Totals: 11-29 10-18 36.

3-point goals: LHS: 3-11 (); MVHS: 4-10 (). Turnovers: LHS 15, MVHS 13. Fouled Out: None.