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Lawrence High’s Jada Baars-Turner leads the Lions bench in celebration of a big play late during a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
For Jada Baars-Turner, not much in life is as sweet as beating crosstown rival Free State in the annual City Showdown.
Lawrence High’s senior floor general will now conclude her high school hoops career with four victories in as many tries after Friday night’s 63-28 blowout victory over the Firebirds, played in an electric atmosphere in Free State’s home gym.
“This win really showed the culture of Lady Lions basketball,” Baars-Turner said. “We were gritty, getting transition points, and hitting 3s.”
Baars-Turner connected on four 3-pointers, including three in the first half, giving the Lions an early jolt offensively. But she said the team’s frenetic defensive intensity was the real difference-maker.
“Defense turns into offense,” she said.
And that smothering defense proved overwhelming for Free State from the jump.
Sophomore guard Lucy Jane Juelsgaard added some extra hustle and physicality early. Juelsgaard secured a defensive rebound seconds after she entered the contest, which was still a one-possession game at the time.
After the Lions built up an 8-2 lead, Juelsgaard followed up by jumping a Firebirds’ inbounds pass to collect a steal and ultimately allow her team to increase its margin by another two points, thanks to a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Zoey Barber.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Jada Baars-Turner directs her teammates while dribbling the ball up the court during a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Lawrence High senior La’Keyshia Woods also drew a charge that had her teammates and coaches hyped.
“When La’Keyshia took the charge, it was really big for the team,” Lawrence assistant coach Olivia Lemus said. “Then, Jada hit some big 3s.”
Woods added: “We’re a pretty good defensive team, and that sets the tone for the whole game.”
The first of Baars-Turner’s 3s came late in the first quarter as the Lions jumped in front 15-4. Free State freshman forward Quinlynn Vail did the heavy offensive lifting early for her team, scoring 4 of the Firebirds 6 points in the opening quarter.
Lawrence High junior forward Cami Nauholz proved virtually unguardable in the low post for Lawrence, dropping in a pair of early buckets and finishing with 12 points in the first half on six 2-point makes.
And as Lemus put it, Lawrence kept its “foot on the gas,” opening the second quarter on a 7-0 blitz as the Lions built a commanding 33-12 halftime advantage.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Cami Nauholz fires off a jump shot over the outstretched arms of Free State’s Sarai Preston during a girls basketball game at Free State High School.
Free State’s best offensive stretch of the evening started with Vail’s 3-ball to account for the final points of the first half, extending into the third quarter as freshman guard Morgan McClorey knocked down two 3s.
After a quiet first half, Lawrence High sophomore guard Macyn Ramsay began to heat up offensively, dropping eight points in the third quarter as the Lions’ lead swelled to 48-22.
Marley Doleman’s 3-ball from the left corner capped a 9-0 spurt to open the final frame as the Lions coasted to the decisive victory.
“It’s always nice to get a dub against Free State,” Lemus said, adding that doing so “in their house” is the icing on the cake.
The victory extends Lawrence’s win streak over Free State to five.
“This win just means everything,” Baars-Turner said. “It makes the whole season better.”
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s Quinlynn Vail attempts a 3-point shot during a girls basketball game against Lawrence High at Free State High School.
Free State head coach Summer Frantz described the loss as a difficult one for this group to experience, but added that she remains confident in her club’s resiliency.
“What I love about our group is that they always respond,” she said. “This one is really tough, but they’ll still come tomorrow morning ready to go.”
The pressure defense rattled the Firebirds as they struggled mightily on the offensive end.
“I think it got to us a little bit,” Frantz said, adding that the team is “adjusting a little bit” to the absence of senior leader Addie Fulscher.
“We got away from our game plan and let the environment get to us a little bit,” Frantz said, “but I’d still choose to coach them over anybody else.”
Frantz said she was pleased with junior forward Sarai Preston’s defensive effort against Nauholz in the post, adding that it was an unenviable task for the smaller Preston.
“Sarai is only 5’7” and battles and battles,” Frantz said. “And people don’t necessarily see how hard she has to play just to limit Cami.
“But, we see it.”
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s Lucy Jane Juelsgaard rebounds the ball during a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Nauholz poured in a game-high 18 points while tallying three blocks. Ramsay dropped in 11 of her 15 points in the second half, while Baars-Turner finished with 14. Doleman and Barber chipped in six points apiece.
For Free State, Vail scored a team-high 14 points. McClorey added eight, while Taylor Hulcher finished with four points.
On a side note, Woods said the team was energized by the junior varsity squad’s victory over Free State on Thursday. She added that the good vibes carried over to Friday as both the bench and student section were boisterous.
“Everybody showed up and did their part today,” she said.
Both Lawrence and Free State wrap their regular season next week.
Lawrence (11-10) plays host to Shawnee Mission North and Gardner Edgerton. Free State (7-14) hits the road for matchups against Shawnee Mission Northwest and Mill Valley.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s players celebrate a made 3-pointer during a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s student section cheer on the Firebirds during a girls basketball game against Lawrence High on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High’s student section celebrates a made 3-pointer by the Lions during a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State players celebrate a made 3-pointer during a girls basketball game against Lawrence High on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence High players and members of the Lions’ spirit squad lock arms to chant the school’s fight song after a girls basketball game against Free State on Feb. 20 at Free State High School.
