The last time the Lions Basketball team was in the Koch Arena, they left with things unfinished. Falling short in the 6A state championship game with a 43-58 loss to Wichita East, the Lions left disappointed, but hungry.

Today at 3 p.m., the number one seeded Lions open up their bid to return to the championship game against the against the eighth-seeded Dodge City Red Demons.

The Lions head into the match-up carrying momentum from two big substate wins against Wyandotte (80-62) and Shawnee Mission Northwest (65-44) and wins by double digits in each of their five games since their last loss to Olathe North on Feb. 16.

Dodge City will also come in hot as winners of seven of their last eight games, including substate victories over Wichita West and Garden City.

The team, looking to capture their first state title since 1995, have found their legs since their home loss to Olathe North, averaging 74 points per game. They are led by the dynamic duo of senior forward Price Morgan and senior point guard Justin Roberts, who have combined to average 35.4 points per game over the Lions’ past five games.

If the Lions win on Thursday, they will face the winner of the Wichita Southeast-Olathe East match-up on Friday at 4:45 p.m.