Free State High's Lauren Wright wasn't thinking about having a career game Friday night.
It just kind of happened.
The Firebirds (4-7) will take it, though, as they hadn't won a game since they beat intracity-rival Lawrence High before the holiday break.
But Wright's game-high 23 points, which tied former Firebird Katie Rhodes' school record, was more than enough to push the Free State past Tonganoxie, 52-38, in the Firebird Winter Classic.
"I was kind of just in the flow," said Wright, who also set a school record with five three-pointers. "We knew we could get back in the win column, and a lot of people stepped up to make that happen tonight."
In the other semifinal game, top-seeded Hutchinson cruised past Olathe North, 59-35, to advance to today's championship game, pending it being played.
In an all-Kansas City schools showdown, Schlagle got the best of Wyandotte, 58-40.
O-North and Sumner will play in today's third place game, which tips off at 12:30 p.m. Free State and Schlagle will play for fifth at 11 a.m. in the main gym while Tonganoxie and Wyandotte will square off for seventh at 11 a.m. in Free State's north gym.
Free State didn't cruise as the Firebirds led just 15-11 after the first quarter and led 26-20 at the break.
But the Firebirds put the Chieftains away in the third, holding Tonganoxie to three points.
Only four Chieftains scored while FSHS's Amber Hinton and Jayme Lisher combined for 20.
"We did a lot of things tonight that we'd been working on recently in practice," FSHS coach Craig Hershiser said. "We handled their press and were able to take quality shots.
"Lauren was very selective in her shooting and I think that's part of the reason she had such a good night."
Hutchinson 59, Olathe North 35
While several of Hutchinson's parents wore blue and gold shirts that said "The storm is coming...," it was evident Friday night that the Salthawks have already touched the northeastern part of the state with their fury.
This game wasn't close as Hutchinson nearly double up its second opponent in as many nights.
Sophomores Amanda McCue, Morgan Bonds and Brandi Hood led the Salthawks as they combined for 44 points but it was seniors Katie Kingsley and Sammi Knapic that got HHS going Friday.
The pair combined for 12 of Hutchinson's 18 assists and provided plenty of pressure defense as Olathe North committed 31 turnovers.
"While we didn't shoot particularly well tonight," Hutchinson coach Tom Clark said. "We took the time to find the open players."
Knapic warned that Hutchinson, while dominating, as only showed a shadow of its potential.
"This storm is just starting to brew," Knapic said with a smile.
HUTCHINSON (59)
Sammi Knapic 0 1-2 1, Lexi Beaudet 2 0-0 4, Holly Cranier 5 0-0 10, Morgan Bonds 5 2-4 12, Amanda McCue 8 1-2 17, Brandi Hood 7 1-2 15. Totals 27 5-10 59.
O. North 35
Camilah Campbell 0 1-2 1, Tamar Whitaker 5 4-6 14, Kara DeNoon 4 4-4 12, Michelle Watson 4 0-0 8. Totals 13 9-12 35.
Hutchinson (10-1) 16 5 27 1159
Olathe North (8-4) 6 6 11 1235
Three-pointers None. Fouls Hutchinson 13, O. North 14.
KC Schlagle 58, KC Wyandotte 40
Schlagle's Marchelle Campbell led all players with 22 points and Tamara Cobbins added 16 as the Stallions advanced to the fifth-place game. Kema Meeks had 15 to lead Wyandotte.
Schlagle (58)
Tamra Cobbins 8 0-1 16, Marchelle Campbell 10 1-3 22, Ashley Birch 4 3-4 11, Molita Anthony 0 1-2 1, Natalie Sampson 1 0-0 2, Celisha Towers 3 0-0 6. Totals: 26 5-10 58.
Wyandotte (40)
Kema Meeks 6 1-4 15, Cristina Hughes 2 3-8 7, Latoshia Donahue 1 3-5 5, Ebony Stillman 2 0-1 4, Temika Webb 3 1-1 7, Melena Blount 1 0-2 2. Totals: 15 8-21 40.
Schlagle (9-4) 12 18 9 19 58
Wyandotte (3-8) 13 9 6 12 40
Threepointers Schlagle 1 (Campbell), Wyandotte 1 (Meeks). Fouls Schlagle 18, Wyandotte 12.
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