Olathe ? Olathe South’s boys basketball team defeated Free State by a convincing 57-45 score Thursday night at the Olathe South Invitational, but the game wasn’t even that close.

The Firebirds rallied in the closing minutes but only after both coaches filled the floor with reserves and the game was well out of reach. The Falcons led by as many as 20 midway through the fourth quarter in a game marred by sloppy play on both sides.

“We were completely out of our game,” Firebirds coach Jack Schreiner said. “There was no intensity on our part. We’re not good enough to go on the floor without incredible intensity, and it just wasn’t there tonight.”

Olathe South coach John McFall wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance, either, as the Falcons seemed to simply outlast the Firebirds instead of dominate them.

“We felt like our defense was not good at all, and that we were fortunate to be ahead,” McFall said. “And we were ahead because they missed a lot of shots.”

Firebirds guard Brady Morningstar rarely could set up for a balanced shot despite leading his team with 12 points. Free State had trouble all night responding to Olathe South’s mid-court, and, at times, full-court press.

“We were content to just get it up the floor against them,” Schreiner said. “We threw passes that were just awful.”

Whatever chance Free State had in making the game close came early in the third quarter. Firebirds guard Matt Green hit a three-point shot to cut the Falcons’ lead to eight after several scoreless minutes from both teams.

But Falcons guard Clint McFall dribbled the ball right down the court and pulled up for a three-pointer, igniting a 10-point run that ensured victory for Olathe South, the defending champions of its own tournament and the winner of three of its last four.

6Sports video: Olathe South stomps Free State (12-09-04)

Olathe South exploited Free State’s small lineup by scoring most of its points down around the hoop. But Schreiner made no excuses for his team’s size, blaming the defeat on sloppy play.

“Size is always going to be a factor for us because we’re little, but size is overrated,” Schreiner said. “But they still have to guard us; we didn’t make them defend us.”

Fouls did the Firebirds no favors either. Both Morningstar and Green were in foul trouble in the first half, limiting their production and putting the Falcons in the bonus situation early in each half.

Olathe South will defend its tournament title today against Shawnee Mission West, while Free State will take on Roeland Park Miege in the consolation match at 7 tonight.

The Firebirds will have less than 24 hours to correct their mistakes from Thursday.

“They’ll play a zone and they’ll try and control the tempo,” Schreiner said. “And if we allow that to happen, it will be interesting.”