Olathe ? The game turned out to be too clean for Free State High on Friday night against No. 2-ranked Olathe South.

Without top scorer Scott Heitshusen, who will be out for about a month because of a knee injury, the Firebirds’ best hope for a victory would have been in a grind-it-out, defensive struggle against the Falcons.

But an efficient South offense never allowed that to happen, effectively handling Free State’s pressure defense in a 52-36 Falcon victory.

“They’re a difficult team to make turn it over,” Free State coach Chuck Law said. “They’re so disciplined and so very well coached.”

Despite the Firebirds’ running a press most of the game, the Falcons turned it over just six times in the first three quarters.

Free State had 15 turnovers in the first 24 minutes.

“We’re going to have to muddy games up – there’s no question about that,” Law said. “(Scott) was about 30 percent of our scoring through the first four games, and we struggle enough with him in the lineup.”

Law sent a statement to his team shortly after halftime, calling a timeout after a steal and basket by Andrew Crotty gave South a 33-18 advantage. After challenging his players to play with more focus and passion, the coach said he was pleased with what he saw in the final 11 minutes.

“They really played with some intensity and determination,” Law said. “We have to be able as a coaching staff : how we’re going to get them to do that for 32 minutes, because that has to become the identity of this basketball team.”

Free State pulled within 10 in the fourth quarter on a pair of free throws by Kyle Schreiner, but never could close the gap further.

“It was the same story the fifth time around,” senior David Green said. “We came back, but were down too much early.”

Green certainly did his part to help the Firebirds with the absence of Heitshusen.

The 6-foot-3 forward scored 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, contributing more than half of Free State’s points.

“David played with a passion and confidence like I hadn’t seen before,” Law said. “We need the rest of the team to rise to that level.”

Schreiner added six points for the Firebirds.

Olathe South girls 42, Free State 25

The Firebirds couldn’t overcome a poor shooting performance, hitting just 22 percent of their shots.

Olathe South’s girls also entered the game ranked No. 2 in latest Class 6A poll.

“Certainly their defense created a lot of their problems,” Free State coach Bryan Duncan said. “They didn’t give us second-chance opportunities.”

With five players 6-feet tall compared to Free State’s none, South took advantage inside, jumping to a 17-6 lead.

The Firebirds responded, however, with Lauren Kimball’s layup closing the deficit to 18-15 by halftime.

“We had a chance to maybe fold a little bit, but we made a nice run and came right back,” Duncan said.

South pulled away in the fourth quarter with help from generous officiating.

The Falcons shot 30 free throws compared to the Firebirds’ four. Free State was whistled for 23 calls, while South had just nine.

Kimball led the Firebirds with eight points, while Jenna Bentley added six.