The Lions notched a sentimental victory on senior night, dominating the game from start to finish.

The Lady Lions came out strong on senior night against the Olathe Northwest Ravens, building up a 16-7 lead in the first quarter.

Playing with the team’s two seniors’ — Skylar Drum and Olivia Lemus — in mind, it was the underclassmen who helped carry the load for the Lions early on, led by junior E’lease Stafford.

Back in front of a fully-energized crowd for the first time in several weeks, the team reflected the confidence of the rambunctious crowd, beating the Ravens to nearly every 50-50 ball in the opening frame.

As dominant as the Lions were, they could not extend their lead past 10 points for the majority of the half, bailing the Ravens out numerous times with fouls on contested layups and failure to complete on easy opportunities at the rim.

The Lions headed into halftime holding a 10-point advantage.

Coming out of the gates hot, the Lions were quick to put the game out of question in the third quarter, playing an unselfish brand of basketball. Passing open looks for open layups, the team was able the firmly grab ahold of the game. Teammates even helped each other on accident, in a brief moment of comedy as junior Tyrin Cosey assisted Chisom Ajekwu, richoteing a teammate’s pass off her head into the grateful hands of Ajekwu.

With the game all but decided, the Lions were able to approach the final quarter with a different mindset. It was no longer about the uptempo, high-octane approach that got the Lions the lead, it was a slower, more appreciative approach. Fittingly, Drum was the one to lead this for the team.

Carrying the ball up the court, Drum set the tone for the Lions. All night, her teammates had skillfully kept the ball, cherishing the dying embers of their senior’s home careers, saving each possession until an open look displayed itself. Drum epitomized the approach, having her senior moment as she swished home a deep three pointer to give the Lions a 15 point advantage in the closing minutes.

As the game wound down, the ball found itself again and again in the hands of Drum, until finally, the buzzer sounded with the ball firmly grasped by Drum. For the four-year starter, the game was fitting of her tumultuous career, frantic and varied in the beginning, but sweetly victorious in the end.

“It was a great feeling, very emotional, to have the ball in my hands, knowing that we had played hard and won the game,” Drum said.

The Lady Lions are back in action against Shawnee Mission North on Feb 14.