Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Topeka High’s Bryson McComas shoots a floating layup during a boys basketball game against Lawrence High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.

The Lawrence boys basketball team saw a late lead evaporate as the Lions fell 66-65 to the visiting Topeka High Trojans Tuesday night.

Nursing a 61-55 lead with three minutes remaining in regulation, the Trojans closed the contest on a furious 11-4 blitz en route to the dramatic victory.

Topeka High forward Jachai Carter’s knifing lay-in knotted the score at 61. On the other end, Lawrence forward Kenyon Doleman replied with a 3-pointer to stretch the Lions’ advantage back to three.

The seesaw battle continued as Trojans’ guard Octavian McFadden buried a trey from the right wing to tie the game at 64. With around 10 seconds showing on the clock, Lions’ senior guard Joey Dooley was sent to the free throw line after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Dooley knocked down the first of three, but was off-target on his second and third attempts — leaving the door ajar for the Trojans, who trailed 65-64. After corralling the rebound and racing upcourt, Topeka’s Bryson McComas dribbled to the right wing and then kicked the ball to junior forward Devin Ponte at the top of the key.

Ponte’s straight-line drive to the bucket resulted in hard contact at the rim and a trip to the charity stripe with 0.2 seconds left on the clock. With the pressure on, Ponte sank both free throws to ice the contest. A half-court heave by the Lions was well off-target, but came after the buzzer anyway. 

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High head coach Nick Wood calls out instructions to his players during a boys basketball game against Topeka High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.

 Following the game, Lawrence High head coach Nick Wood declined comment with any of the present media members.

To start the game, the Lions came out on fire from beyond the arc — drilling four 3-pointers in the opening frame, including two from sophomore guard Simon Simien. The hot shooting performance helped the Lions build a 20-12 advantage at the conclusion of the opening frame.

Topeka High senior guard Elisha Guest poured in 10 points in the second quarter as the Trojans sliced the deficit to 32-31 at the half. The Lions received strong play in the low-post from senior center Devin Foster and freshman Axl Bland, who combined to account for 100 percent of the Trojans’ offense in the second quarter.

In the third, it was all Dooley and Doleman on the offensive end, as the duo combined for 17 of the Lions’ 20 points, including three 3-pointers. A Doleman triple midway through the third extended Lawrence’s lead to 45-38. The Trojans replied with an 8-1 to tie the contest, but Dooley’s 3-ball handed the Lions a 49-46 lead — and further padded its cushion after Axl Bland knocked down a trio of free throws late in the third quarter.

The Lions boasted a balanced scoring attack as Doleman dropped in a game-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers — Bland chipped in 16, Dooley 14, and Foster 11. For the Trojans, Ponte concluded with a team-high 14 points.

The Lions (2-4 overall, 0-2 Sunflower League) return to the hardwood Friday for a district matchup with host Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars (2-5 overall).

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Joey Dooley shoots a 3-pointer right in front of the Lions’ student section during a boys basketball game against Topeka High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Joey Dooley let’s out a roar to celebrate converting a layup through contact during a boys basketball game against Topeka High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s bench celebrates a fourth-quarter score during a boys basketball game against Topeka High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Axl Bland shoots a 3-pointer during a boys basketball game against Topeka High on Jan. 6 at Lawrence High School.