Lansing High, which won the 49th edition of the tournament in 2008, is 7-1 entering this year’s tourney, coming off a 15-point victory against Mill Valley on Friday. But that isn’t giving coach Rod Briggs’ squad any false confidence.

“The field is challenging, with several teams able to win the tournament,” the third-year Lansing coach said.

The Lions, a versatile team capable of playing a number of different styles, usually try to focus on using their size as an advantage, which is no surprise considering the stature of the LHS front line.

Cody Rush, a 6-foot-8 Lansing big, has 6-foot-4 Ryan Delich and 6-foot-5 Sloan Blain to play alongside him, or give him a breather, while frustrating smaller opponents.

Briggs said Blain, Delich and Rush all play about the same amount of time for Lansing in the post and the trio is a dream to coach because the three combine experience with size.

Rush is a tough matchup for most teams because he brings size and skill to the hardwood. Briggs said Rush is capable of passing and shooting on the perimeter, as well as playing in the paint, offensively and, more importantly, defensively.

“Cody Rush alters a lot of shots and covers up for perimeter defensive mistakes,” Briggs said. “Cody is also very coachable and is a quick learner.”

Delich, though, is coming off an injury and, Briggs said, “just starting to get back into the groove.” Similarly, Blain missed all of the previous season with a patella dislocation and ligament damage. However, his coach said Blain has provided quality post minutes.

On the perimeter, Curtis Beall runs the Lions’ offense. Briggs called the three-year starter “a solid point guard.”

With talent all over the floor, expect Lansing to contend for another invitational crown by playing a solid brand of basketball.

“I feel like we have a good group of hardworking, team-oriented young men,” their coach said.