Free Throw Lane

[Refsmitty]

If defenders do not want the top two lane spaces - nearest the thrower... can the offense take them. Reading the rule below I would say no, but I always thought that if the defense didn't want the the offense could occupy.

Rule 8.1.4
During a free throw, lane spaces may be occupied as follows:
a. Marked lane spaces may be occupied by a maximum of four defensive and
two offensive players.
b. The lane areas from the end line up to, and including, the neutral-zone
marks, shall remain vacant.
c. The first marked lane spaces on each side of the lane, above and adjacent
to the neutral-zone marks, shall be occupied by opponents of the free
thrower. No teammate of the free thrower shall occupy either of these
marked lane spaces.
d. The second marked lane spaces on each side may be occupied by
teammates of the free thrower.
e. The third marked lane spaces on each side, nearest the free thrower, may
be occupied by the opponents of the free thrower.
f. Players shall be permitted to move along and across the lane to occupy a
vacant marked lane space within the limitations listed in this rule.
g. Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space.
ART. 5 . . . Any player, other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a
Page 51 2009-10 NFHS Basketball Rules Rule 8-2
marked lane space must be behind the free-throw line extended and behind the
three-point line.