Jack Schreiner knew it would be this way.

He knew that Free State High’s boys basketball team would be the envy of the state this year.

When senior forward Keith Wooden signed a national letter-of-intent in November to hoop at Arizona State University next year, the FSHS coach told him, “You realize the targets are on our backs now? You’ve got a big red target on your back.”

OK, so anyone who pays attention to Class 6A basketball knew FSHS had the talent to be great. But the Firebirds had much of the same talent in last year’s 10-11 season. Yet, once Wooden signed that letter, it served notice to the rest of the state.

If you’re playing Free State, bring your A game because there’s nothing like beating a team with a Division I player.

The proverbial target just got bigger.

The Firebirds improved to 4-0 after winning the KVOE Tip-Off Classic on Saturday in Emporia by beating the host Spartans – in front of a decidedly hostile crowd – in the championship. Emporia, one of 6A’s top teams, brought its A game, giving the Firebirds fits throughout the first half.

Emporia fans were at the top of their game, too.

They were all over Wooden from the tip. The rest of the Firebirds received their jeers, as teammates always do, but most of the fans’ ire was reserved for Wooden.

People rarely cheer for Goliath, which is what the Firebirds have in their 6-foot-9 post player with a sweet jump shot and nimble feet.

Poor officiating didn’t help, either.

There were 43 fouls called in the title game, when an average game might have about 25 or 30. The number of calls disrupted the flow of the game, or rather, kept it from having any flow. And it was the Firebirds who got the shaft early.

Emporia shot 17 free throws in the first half, 15 in the second quarter alone. FSHS point guard Dain Dillingham and reserve Will Malcolm were saddled with three apiece before halftime, and four other players, including Wooden, each had two.

Then, for some odd reason, the refs did a 180 and whistled Emporia every chance they could in the third quarter.

Cue envious, loudmouthed fans.

“You guys are protecting him!”

“Make him play like a D-I player!”

“Get his damn hands off!”

By the time Wooden picked up his fourth foul early in the fourth quarter, the place erupted in cheers as if Emporia had just won the state title.

Schreiner knew it would be this way.

And it’ll be this way throughout the season.

But don’t feel sorry for Free State. Rather, see if it can fulfill its potential.

The Firebirds’ talent is evident, even without Wooden. It’s a testament to the rest of the team – Dillingham, forwards Bijai Jones and Cameron Karlin and guard Cole Douglas – that Wooden could have just eight points on 4-of-8 shooting and Free State still could beat Emporia, 58-46. Like Roy Williams’ Kansas University Jayhawks, the Firebirds might have the best starting five around.

And like KU, FSHS will undoubtedly get every opponent’s A game, as they try to take down Goliath.

But if the first four games are any indication, the target on Goliath’s back might be awfully hard to hit.