Topeka ? Free State High won’t be content with having the best basketball team in Class 6A.

The Firebirds think they have the best team in the whole state.

Free State entered the Topeka Invitational on Thursday as the top-ranked team in the 6A coaches poll.

Saturday at Highland Park, the Firebirds (10-1) survived a frantic final minute against the host Scots (11-1) and pulled out a 63-62 victory against the No. 1 team in 5A.

After a 73-37 blowout of Topeka High in the first round, FSHS topped second-ranked Wichita East, 69-57, in Friday’s semifinal.

“I’m so proud of these kids, to beat these people in their gym under these circumstances,” said Free State coach Jack Schreiner, whose team won its eighth straight. “I told the kids this — and I really believe this — by beating them, until someone beats us, we’re the best team in the state. Aren’t we?”

Highland Park and FSHS fans packed the Scots’ gym for a matchup of two top-ranked teams, and the state powers didn’t disappoint.

Free State senior Brady Morningstar scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half, and the Firebirds led by as many as 12 points.

FSHS led 33-27 at halftime and took its largest lead of the second half when Bobby Underwood hit one of his four three-pointers for a 36-27 lead in the opening minute of the third quarter.

Highland Park rallied, closing the quarter with a 7-0 run that included six points by B.J. Spann. The Scots led 46-45 after three quarters.

Theron Wilson, who led Highland park with 20 points, tied it at 60 with 1:23 to play with his second dunk. That brought the home crowd to its feet, but FSHS senior Danny Pike answered with a three-pointer with 1:01 to play.

“I think that might have been my first one of the year,” Pike said of the three-pointer.

He was the third option on a pick-and-roll set up for Morningstar, who had no shot, but found Pike open in the corner.

“I was pretty confident,” said Pike, who finished with 11 points. “I wanted the shot if I was open.”

The Firebirds didn’t score again.

Hi Park’s Hank Harris scored two of his 14 points with a pair of foul shots with 45 seconds left to cut the deficit to 63-62.

Free State’s Sam Buhler missed the front end of a one-and-one with 21 seconds left, and Joe Kingcannon grabbed the rebound for the Scots. Highland Park called a timeout with 19 seconds left to set up a play, but Kingcannon forced a long three-pointer, and the airball went out of bounds with three seconds left.

Free State’s Nick Ayre was fouled on the inbounds play, but he put up an airball — which also went out of bounds — on the front end of a one-and-one, giving the ball back to the Scots with no time ticking off the clock.

Highland Park then threw its inbounds pass the length of the court, and it hit the backboard and bounced into the arms of Morningstar. But Morningstar crossed halfcourt, and the backcourt violation gave the ball back to the Scots with one second left at midcourt.

Highland Park couldn’t get a shot off, and the Firebirds escaped with the tournament title.

“It was interesting,” Buhler said of the final minute, “but a win is a win.”

6Sports video: Free State wins Topeka Invitational Photo Gallery: Free State vs. Highland Park Audio: Coach Schreiner on Pike’s three-pointer Audio: Coach Schreiner on beating Highland Park Audio: Coach Schreiner on the rest of the schedule

Buhler played despite needing 14 stitches in his forehead after a nasty collision with Wichita East’s Sammie Fisher knocked him out of Friday’s semifinal.

“As long as I didn’t get hit, I knew I’d be fine,” said Buhler, who sported a white headband to cover his stitches.

Underwood had 12 points for Free State, and Scott Heitshusen added nine off the bench.

The Firebirds are off until Friday’s home game against Topeka High. After playing 10 of their first 11 games on the road, the Firebirds will play six of their final nine games at Free State.

“We had this incredible schedule, and we were able to weather it pretty well,” Schreiner said. “If we take care of business, we’ll be right where we want to be.”