Lawrence High’s boys basketball team preaches the next man up philosophy and lived up to it in its last few games.


If the Lions are missing one of their top players, that just means somebody else gets an opportunity to shine. Without senior point guard Justin Roberts, the Lions don’t have the same offensive rhythm, but they continue to find ways to win, including a 49-42 victory against Shawnee Mission South on Friday.


“We’d much rather play with (Roberts), let’s cut to the chase,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said. “But whether it’s Justin or Price (Morgan) or any of our starters, it just creates an opportunity for other kids to step up.”


The Lions have played two games without Morgan, one without Jackson Mallory and 2 1/2 games without Roberts. Credit to them for winning at less than full strength.


Lawrence High’s girls basketball team is playing its best basketball of the season, winning three of its last four games after a 62-27 rout over SM South.


For young teams, it can take time to learn how to win games, especially against older squads. The Lions had some close losses against top competition and they’ll get another tough test against SM Northwest tonight. But if they keep gaining confidence, they’re going to be an awfully dangerous team by the end of the year.
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In case you missed it, we’re copying one of the popular features of KUsports.com, “Keegan’s Ratings,” where Sports Editor Tom Keegan ranks KU football and men’s basketball players after every game he attends. These individual rankings are just one person’s opinion, but it’s a good way to look at how each person impacted each game.

Lawrence High girls basketball

1. E’lease Stafford, soph. — When Stafford is playing at her best, it’s no coincidence that the Lions are playing at their best as a team. She scored a game-high 15 points with nine rebounds, scoring on putbacks, drives into the paint and hitting a three.


2. Chisom Ajekwu, fr. — Ajekwu had a game-high four blocks on Friday, but it looked like she affected a lot more shots with her defense in the paint. She completed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.


3. Hannah Stewart, fr. — Stewart has been steady all season but is growing into a better scorer in the past few weeks. She scored 11 points on Friday, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the first quarter. She added three rebounds and three assists with only one turnover.


4. Talima Harjo, soph. — Ever since Harjo scored eight straight points in the fourth quarter against Olathe East, she’s played with a lot more confidence. Earning the starting nod with Skylar Drum out, Harjo had six points, 10 rebounds and five assists. In the first quarter, she scored or assisted on 11 of the team’s 16 points.


5. Olivia Lemus, jr. — The 5-foot-3 sharpshooter found her rhythm from the perimeter and hit some big shots, scoring 13 points. She added five rebounds.


6. Leslie Ostronic, fr. — One of those players that looks better on the court throughout each game this season. She scored two points at the free throw line and added two rebounds, an assist and two steals.


7. Alexis Boyd, sr. — Boyd had a nice stretch in the third quarter, scoring in the low post and blocking a shot within a minute. She added two rebounds and an assist.


8. Gracie Reinsch, sr. — She played hard in the final minutes, scoring four points including a putback in the last 10 seconds.


9. Emma Bentzinger, sr. — Bentzinger played her usual solid defense in the post, denying passes. She had two rebounds and missed her only shot attempt.


10. Sammy Williams, fr. — Entered in the fourth quarter and grabbed one rebound.


11. Tyrin Cosey, soph. — Played in the final minutes and turned the ball over once. She made some nice plays at the end of the JV game, helping the Lions to a close win.


• Next up: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at #3 SM Northwest. Record: 7-7.

Lawrence High boys basketball

1. Price Morgan, sr. — With Justin Roberts out, the Lions are leaning on Morgan and he’s taken his game to another level. He was the best player on the court Friday, doing everything from scoring points to grabbing rebounds and diving on the court for loose balls. He completed a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.


2. Fred Brou, sr. — On one possession, Brou was boxed out by two players and still grabbed a rebound. He essentially ended the game with a two-handed slam and continues to play with high energy on the floor. He had 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.


3. Anthony Harvey, sr. — Harvey sparked the Lions with a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the third quarter and a go-ahead three in the first minute of the fourth quarter. On a night where both teams struggled offensively, Harvey brought energy to both sides of the court. He had 11 points and three rebounds.


4. Jackson Mallory, jr. — Even when Mallory can’t get going offensively, he is great at not letting that slow down any other parts of his game. He had six points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist.


5. Noah Butler, fr. — Butler couldn’t get his shots to drop (0-for-6), but that didn’t stop him from using his athleticism on defense. He matched up against SM South point guard CJ Hill, and did a good job of making him work for each bucket.


6. Kobe Buffalomeat, jr. — Lining up against two taller players, he used his strength to his advantage. He had three rebounds and a block, missing his only shot attempt.


7. Braden Solko, jr. — Solko picked up the start with Roberts out, and he played good defense on the perimeter. He had one rebound and two steals, but missed two shots.


8. Austin Miller, jr. — He missed a three-pointer and grabbed one rebound.


• Next up: 7 p.m. Tuesday at SM Northwest. Record: 13-1.
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Sunflower League boys basketball standings


Team … League … Overall


Lawrence … 5-0 … 13-1


Free State … 5-0 … 11-2


SM North … 5-0 … 10-4


Olathe South … 4-1 … 10-4


Olathe East … 3-2 … 11-3


SM West … 3-2 … 6-8


SM South … 2-3 … 7-7


Olathe North …1-4 … 9-5


SM Northwest … 1-4 … 6-8


SM East … 1-4 … 4-10


Olathe Northwest … 0-5 … 5-9


Leavenworth … 0-5 … 2-12


Sunflower League girls basketball standings


Team … League … Overall


Olathe South … 5-0 … 13-0


Olathe East … 5-0 … 12-2


Leavenworth … 4-1 … 10-4


SM West … 4-1 … 8-6


SM Northwest … 3-2 … 12-2


Free State … 3-2 … 10-4


SM North … 3-2 … 6-8


Lawrence … 1-4 … 7-7


SM South … 1-4 … 4-10


SM East … 1-4 … 3-11


Olathe Northwest … 0-5 … 6-8


Olathe North … 0-5 … 2-12
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