Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Macyn Ramsay dribbles toward the basket during a girls basketball game against Topeka on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
Editor’s note: Lawrence High head coach Jeff Dickson declined to comment after the game. Dickson also denied media access to speak with players.
A suffocating defensive performance by the visiting Topeka High Trojans spelled doom for the Lawrence Lions girls basketball team in a 65-47 defeat Tuesday night.
The non-league loss moves the Lions to 4-2 overall, while the Trojans improve to 3-4.
Despite a cold shooting performance, the Lions managed to keep things close early. Marley Doleman’s driving lay-in midway through the opening frame cut Topeka High’s lead to 6-5. Keyed by its smothering defense, the Trojans closed out the first quarter on a 10-3 spurt to go on top 16-8.
Also bolstered by crisp ball movement in the half-court set, the Trojans broke the contest open with a 13-2 blitz to open the second quarter en route to a commanding 32-13 halftime advantage.
The Lions picked up the offensive slack in the third quarter, but the Trojans were able to match the breakneck pace. Namely, the Lions were unable to contain Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, as the dynamic junior guard detonated for a game-high 29 points, including nine in the third quarter.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Topeka High’s Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton shoots a 3-pointer during a girls basketball game against Lawrence on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
After making a concerted effort to get the ball inside to star forward Cami Nauholz, the Lions closed the gap to 51-40 in the fourth quarter, but were unable to get any closer as the Trojans coasted to the 18-point victory.
Topeka High head coach Ron Slaymaker, a 64-year coaching veteran and member of the Kansas Basketball and Emporia State University hall of fames, lauded his squad’s performance.
“We won tonight because of our defensive effort,” he said. The Trojans forced 22 turnovers and held the Lions to under 25 percent shooting from the field.
For Lawrence, Nauholz dropped in a team-high 20 points and three blocks. Sophomore guard Macyn Ramsay added nine points and a block, while senior Jada Baars-Turner chipped in seven points and three assists.
The Lions return to the court Friday for a road clash with Sunflower League foe Shawnee Mission Northwest (2-3 overall).
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Cami Nauholz shoots a jump shot during a girls basketball game against Topeka on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Jada Baars-Turner shoots a 3-pointer during a girls basketball game against Topeka on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Lucy Jane Juelsgaard prepares to go up for a layup attempt during a girls basketball game against Topeka on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s bench reacts to made 3-pointer during a girls basketball game against Topeka on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.
