Lions coach Keith Andrews said this year, like the previous five girls tourneys, the champion will have to defeat some good teams to come out on top.

“It’s another stellar field with three teams with only one or two losses,” the fifth-year LHS coach said. “The other teams have had good programs.”

Lansing, like last year’s team that went 15-6 and lost in its sub-state final, has a solid squad. The Lions like to push the pace with up-tempo, fast break basketball, but they can execute in the half-court as well with a number of strong offensive sets.

LHS guard Brittney Lang is one of the team’s top players. The 6-foot guard can play inside and outside.

Running the Lions’ offense, though, is point guard Amy Briggs, whom her coach called an “excellent floor general with a great motor.”

Andrews said she not only is capable of driving the ball with a knack for getting to the rim, but she also has soft touch from three-point range.

While the point guard can hurt her opponents in a variety of ways, it is her leadership and mind for the game that makes her really effective.

“Briggs does a great job of coaching on the floor,” Andrews said. “She does a great job of thinking about the game and trying to get others involved.”

Lions forward Alexis Ellis gives the team strong inside play, and her coach said she does it with some intensity.

“Alexis’ mean streak isn’t harmful, it just gets her going and she will dominate rebounding for a stretch of the game,” Andrews said. “Sometimes she just gets angry and goes and gets rebounds. It makes her better and I think that it makes others have to plot more for her and game plan for her.”

With quality depth and hustle, that won’t be the only thing Lansing opponents have to worry about.