Leavenworth ? By all accounts, the Free State High boys basketball team shouldn’t have been energized for Saturday’s matchup against Wichita North.

The game was scheduled for 11 a.m, the Firebirds were battling for seventh place, and, perhaps worst of all, many of the 33 fans who showed up were huddled together because the heat had not yet been turned on in the gym.

Not a problem for Free State. The Firebirds brought their own energy and fire, showing consistent effort in a 73-48 victory over the Redskins.

“We talked about it a lot in the locker room,” Free State junior Kyle Schreiner said. “We were like, ‘We have to be focused, and we have to bring energy.’ Our seniors really helped us with that.”

The effort especially was evident on the defensive end, where Free State (1-3) was able to dominate in the first eight minutes.

The Firebirds forced five turnovers and held the Redskins to 1-of-12 shooting in the first quarter, with North only mustering a single layin by Lester Moore.

“That has to be the strength of this team,” Free State coach Chuck Law said. “We have to be able to hunker down and stop teams from scoring.”

Meanwhile, Free State was able to take a comfortable advantage with unselfish play. The Firebirds put in the first four baskets, with each coming from the direct result of an assist.

“The best thing about today’s game was how we shared the ball,” Law said. “That was the best team effort we’ve had. We’ve really stressed to them that as a team, we could be pretty good.”

After Moore’s points, Free State’s Christian Ballard put in back-to-back scores to finish off a 10-0 run and give the Firebirds an 18-2 edge.

David Green was also the beneficiary of pinpoint Free State passing. During one three-minute stretch in the third quarter, the senior guard put in three straight layups by simply waiting under the basket for his friends to find him.

Senior Scott Heitshusen offered the first feed, then two straight drives and dishes from Schreiner gave Green six quick points and pushed the advantage to 24.

On the next possession, Green returned the favor, finding Heitshusen for an uncontested score.

“Assists were everywhere,” Schreiner said. “People were just playing the way everybody needed to play.”

Law said he had sensed a different mood on the bus after the team’s 54-50 loss Friday to Springfield (Mo.) Glendale.

Though the Firebirds were desperate for a victory, the coach felt they might have grown more in defeat.

“I think they realized that they let one get away from them,” Law said, “and it hurt them a little more.”

Free State thrived Saturday even without the services of Ryan and Brian Murphy. Both were unavailable because they were taking the ACT.

Schreiner led a balanced Free State scoring attack. The 6-foot guard poured in 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting.

Four other Firebirds scored in double figures. Heitshusen contributed 14, Ballard added 12, and Green and Nick Devin both hit for 10.

Law said he was pleased that his team remained focused despite the tough conditions.

“They came out today with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm, which is hard to do at 11 o’clock,” Law said. “I give them all the credit in the world for that.”