Free State High’s Keith Wooden needed five points to become the second city player to score 900 career points.

But the Arizona State signee played like he might go over the 1,000-point plane Thursday, especially in the first quarter of the Firebirds’ 67-44 victory over Shawnee Mission Northwest.

“I just go out there and try to play,” said Wooden, whose 17 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks helped Free State (12-6) to its third straight win.

The 6-foot-9 Wooden scored his first basket on a strong drive to the hoop and his second on a thunderous dunk over two Cougars.

And his third bucket — the one that placed him squarely behind Maurice Trotter on Lawrence’s all-time scoring list — was another patented layup.

“I really didn’t even know I was that close until they started talking about it,” said Wooden, who trails Trotter, a 1992 LHS graduate who scored 1,003 points in his career. “I know Maurice from around town, so it is very special to be up there with him.”

But as spectacular as Wooden was Thursday, so were Free State’s supporting starters.

Senior Bijai Jones eased Wooden’s burden in the post with his 12-point, six-rebound effort in a little less than three quarters.

Free State High senior Keith Wooden sinks an unopposed basket. Wooden scored his 900th career point during Thursday's game at Free State. The Firebirds beat Shawnee Mission Northwest, 67-44.

Starting for just the second time this season, Firebird sophomore Brady Morningstar notched 13 points, and junior Cole Douglas added seven as every Free State player on the roster played except injured starter Dain Dillingham, out because of a sprained ankle.

“I told the guys after our loss to Topeka High that we now control our own destiny,” said FSHS coach Jack Schreiner, whose team is enjoying its second-longest winning streak of the season. “We can finish third in our league, possibly second and maybe have a slight shot at still hosting sub-state.”

The Firebirds had no problems out of the gate, taking an 8-0 lead and a 23-10 margin by the quarter’s end.

Despite shooting 3-of-16 in the second quarter, Free State never was in trouble. That’s because the Cougars were worse, missing all but one of their 15 second-quarter shots.

Free State High's Cameron Karlin, left, is stripped by Shawnee Mission Northwest's Earvin Ray. The Firebirds defeated the Cougars, 67-44, Thursday at Free State.

Free State cruised the rest of the way as Wooden, Jones and 6-6 Cameron Karlin erased Northwest’s interior play.

Northwest’s Earvin Ray, who scored 22, found his success outside of the paint.

With Tuesday’s rivalry game against Lawrence High looming, Schreiner said he hoped Wooden and the Firebirds would step up to his challenges.

“It’s going to be big,” Wooden said. “We haven’t beaten them there since two years ago in sub-state. We’ll have to be ready.”

Free State's Bijai Jones takes a shot from the corner during Thursday's game against Shawnee Mission Northwest.