This is a story about a guy named Brady.

After Thursday’s game, his first name is all that’s necessary.

Brady — short for Brady Morningstar — had a pretty good night Thursday. He and his Free State High basketball squad played rival Lawrence High in the Class 6A sub-state semifinals. No seat was unused, no emotion untouched.

The Lions know Brady like they know their own mother. This was the fourth meeting between the two city teams this season, and that breeds inevitable familiarity. But most of the Lions have played with or against Brady since elementary school.

They know what Brady can do (just about everything). They know what Brady can’t do (not much). They know how dangerous Brady can be (really, really dangerous).

With that scouting report, the Lions knew they had to stop Brady if they wanted to escape Free State with their season still alive. It was crucial. It was key.

It was impossible.

Brady dropped a school-record 34 points Thursday on Lawrence High, hitting six three-pointers, six free throws, fade-away jumpers and pull-up jumpers. He kissed the glass beautifully more than once, and hit nothing but net more often than not.

He made crisp passes to his teammates, grabbed key rebounds, and played mistake-free basketball. He heroically carried Free State to a 76-73 victory, and LHS coach Chris Davis summed up the game marvelously.

“Doggone Brady.”

Brady had 12 points before halftime, and 22 after. From midway through the third quarter until 6:38 was left in the fourth, Brady scored all 13 of Free State’s points. Before his streak started, LHS led 46-45. After it was over, the Firebirds led 58-54.

They never trailed again.

“Even though we were guarding him, he found a way to put them down,” Davis said. “He’s a great basketball player, and definitely the difference tonight.”

True, Brady is a great basketball player, but we’ve never seen him THIS great. He scored 24 the first time LHS and FSHS met. He dropped 25 on Olathe East earlier this season. But 34 points in the season’s biggest game, on the city’s biggest stage? That’s simply special.

Emotionless as always, Brady never pumped his fist, never talked trash, never left his shooting hand dangling in the air after nailing another three. He never once acknowledged the festive fans that saw him shine, the green side cheering on in amazement, the red side wanting him to take a hike.

Brady never so much as smiled during his epic performance Saturday. You would have though he was mad he didn’t score 44. That wasn’t the case, of course.

“Ice water in your veins,” he said, explaining his remarkable calmness. “That’s what you gotta have.”

Brady is Free State’s tallest player, towering 6-foot-2. Regardless of the height-challenged roster, the Firebirds are now 15-6. A game Saturday against 11-10 Overland Park Aquinas looms with a state-tournament berth on the line.

Whether Free State’s run ends Saturday or next week in Emporia, the Firebirds will lose, among others, three impact seniors in Dain Dillingham, Cole Douglas and Tyler Blankenship when the season ends. It’s a strong senior class, and their contributions to Free State’s success are immense. But this postseason is their swan song.

Brady, though, will be back. He’s just a junior. Next year, it’s going to be Brady Morningstar’s show.

Thursday, we saw a glimpse of it. It was spectacular.