State Coverage

WICHITA — Coming into the 6A state title game, the No. 7 seeded Lions knew one thing for sure: No. 1 Blue Valley Northwest Huskies could run. The Lions, led by sophomore Clarence King, who finished the half with 12 points, hung with the Huskies for a quarter and a half, but lost control of the game heading into half, trailing 43-25. The Huskies love to run the floor, and led by their industri...

WICHITA — The Lions are looking to win a state championship tonight against No. 1 Blue Valley Northwest and bring state title No. 108 back to Lawrence. They play at 6:15 at Koch Arena. The Lions beat No. 2 Manhattan on Wednesday 51-44, and No. 6 Blue Valley North on yesterday 41-36 to advance to the title game. Senior Jackson Mallory said the Lions have to play aggressively tonight if they wan...

Photos are available for purchase at Zenfolio....

WICHITA — The Budget interviewed senior Jacob Unruh about why he traveled to Wichita to watch the Lions play in the semifinals. The Lions beat Blue Valley North tonight 41-36. They will play the winner of the Blue Valley Northwest/Free State game tomorrow at 6:15. Why did you make the two-hour drive to Wichita? "The reason I have been making these games to Wichita is because I literally lo...

WICHITA — With less than two minutes, senior Kobe Buffalomeat was fouled hard. He went to the free throw line with the game tied, and stared straight into a crowd of Lawrence High students who made the trek all the way from Lawrence to Wichita’s Koch Arena. He toed the line. His first shot went up, hitting the back rim and bouncing straight back into his hands. A deep breath and a fi...

WICHITA — The Lions started the first half of the state semifinals in dismal fashion, facing a 7-0 deficit before they even touched the ball, but they fought back, leading Blue Valley North 19-17 at halftime. After the Lions were assessed two technical fouls for pregame dunking, one each for senior Kobe Buffalomeat and junior Anthony Selden, the Mustangs made each of their four free throws an...

WICHITA — The seventh-seeded boys basketball team is taking on the sixth-seeded Blue Valley North Mustangs at 4:45 today at Wichita State’s Koch Arena, with a trip to the state finals on the line. The Lions come into the semifinals after upsetting the No. 2 seed, Manhattan, in a nail-biting 51-44 overtime victory on Wednesday. The Mustangs had a comfortable victory in their quarterfinal, defe...

Kobe Buffalomeat, senior   The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I’m 6’7”." "I’ve been on Jimmy Kimmel." "I’m going to Illinois State to play football." "I don’t have a car." "I got first team all conference in football." ...

The Lions beat the No. 2 seed Manhattan 51-44 at the state tournament on Wednesday. They will play Blue Valley North at 4:45 on Friday at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita in their third consecutive return to the state semifinals. For some of the Lions, it was their first time playing at Koch Arena, which is a much different setting than the Jungle. Coach Mike Lewis said it is hard to know how the change...

The Lady Lions have not been to the 6A state basketball tournament since 2008. In that year, they ended up winning the tournament, and look for the same amount of success this year. LHS will be facing Olathe South in the first round of the tournament at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita. The Falcons come in with a record of 18-4 and are the no. 3 seed in the tournament. The...

Brett Chapple, sophomore   The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I play baseball and track." "My favorite rapper is Lil Wayne." "I’ve been playing basketball since I was like five." "My favorite sport to watch is football." "My favorite place is California." ...

Clarence King, sophomore   The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I’m very quick." "I believe I’m a good shooter." "I know for a fact we’re going to beat Free State." [They won 77-57 last Friday.] "I know for a fact we’re going to go to state." "I know for fact that I’m playing the Sunflowe...

In the past two years, the Lions have finished second and third place at the state tournament in Wichita. They are heading to state this week to compete for a title once again. This year, the Lions are the seventh seed in the state. Last year, they were the no. 1 overall seed. Even though the team is a lower seed this year, they are still dangerous. The Lions beat no. 3 seed Olathe Northwest...

Braden Solko, senior   The Budget interviewed the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I like shoes." "My favorite basketball player is LeBron James." "My nickname is 'The Toaster.'" "I also play baseball." "I love winning." ...

 Jackson Mallory, senior   The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the boys basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I’m in three choirs this year." "I’ve started for two years." "I’ve played basketball since I was four years old." "My mom coached here and won a state title in 2008." "My favorite food is Scooby-Doo fruit snacks." ...

Chisom Ajekwu, sophomore     The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I’m really good creative writing." "I’m very artistic." "No matter what sport, I’m always that person that likes to help, or be around and just be involved in everything." "I play volleyball." "Before every away game, on th...

E'lease Stafford, junior   The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I’m 5’11”." "My favorite food is pasta." "My number is 40." "My favorite color is green." "I like driving to the basket." ...

Skylar Drum, senior   Ian Jones   The Lady Lions will play Wyandotte for sub-state on Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. at LHS. The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I was first team all Sunflower League, last year, in soccer." "I have a sugar glider." "I’m 5’8"." "I’ve played basketball all four years." ...

Olivia Lemus, senior     The Lady Lions will play Wyandotte for sub-state on Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. at LHS. The Budget decided to interview the five starters of the basketball team for five facts about themselves. "I put tape around my ankles that says ‘family and team’  for every game because I play for my family and my team." "I own at least 40 pairs of Jordans." ...