Leavenworth ? The Free State High boys basketball team found themselves reliving their opening loss all over again while facing Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside at the Leavenworth Invitational.

An early deficit was once again too much to overcome, as the Firebirds fell, 64-52, in the opening round of the tournament.

“It was the same story as the first game,” senior Scott Heitshusen said. “We came out in the first half and played hesitant. We kind of played as robots.”

Though Free State had the day off from school because of the snow, the team still was able to gain an early-season learning experience on how to break the full-court press.

The Firebirds were unable to handle the pressure in the first quarter, registering more turnovers (10) than points (7).

Still, Free State was able to re-focus at the half and tidy up its play, turning it over only five times after the break.

“Similar to Friday night, the adjustments we made at half really worked out well for us,” coach Chuck Law said. “We’ve just got to get ourselves slowed down. That’s the big dilemma for this team is how hard we push on the gas, and if we’re going to be capable of playing that way.”

With fewer turnovers, the Firebirds closed the deficit to eight in the fourth quarter, thanks to a long-range display.

“Playing from behind sometimes is easy because you have nothing to lose and play with reckless abandon,” Law said. “We need to bring that same approach and attitude to the first and second quarters.”

Heitshusen knocked down three treys in the fourth quarter alone, with a pair coming from a step behind the arc.

“When we get in that situation, coach just tells me if I have a seam to shoot it,” Heitshusen said. “We’re just trying to get back and narrow that deficit as much as we can.”

Free State could never pull any closer, however, falling to the losers’ bracket where the team will play Springfield (Mo.) Glendale today at 3:15 p.m.

Heitshusen led the Firebirds with 19 points. Kyle Schneider posted 10, while Ryan Murphy, Christian Ballard and Nick Ayre each added six.

Also for the second straight game, their was a huge disparity in free throws. Fort Smith made 26, compared to Free State’s three.

Law hopes he will not see a repeat performance from his team again today.

“We’re going to pick up all over the court,” Law said, “and see if we can’t get our guys energized right from the get-go.”