Emporia ? As far as the Free State High boys basketball squad is concerned, it already played its toughest game this season.

After failing in the sub-state finals each of the past two seasons, getting over that hump with a 50-47 victory Friday against Leavenworth has shown the Firebirds that anything is possible.

“The most important game of the state tournament, we played on Friday night — the game that gets you to the state tournament,”

FSHS coach Jack Schreiner said. “That’s as nervous as I’ve ever seen this team play, and I think they really learned a lot from that one. I think they’re gonna come into this one a lot calmer.”

The Firebirds looked calm at Tuesday’s final tuneup before a Class 6A state-tournament game against Shawnee Mission West at 3 p.m. today at White Arena, but there was worry in the air. Two of the team’s starters and senior leaders were not present.

Danny Pike and Matt Green, who have been key for the Firebirds all season, each came down with the flu early this week. But if the Firebirds appeared confident without them at practice, it’s because they have confidence the two seniors will be in the starting lineup today.

“Matt showed up, and said he was feeling better than yesterday,” Schreiner said. “He said ‘no problem, I’ll be here tomorrow.’ Danny, I talked to his mom, and she’s a pharmacist, so she’s pumping him full of stuff he needs.

“But this is the first round of state. They’ll be here, and they’ll be ready to play.”

Even if they aren’t feeling 100 percent, there probably would be no way Schreiner could keep them off the floor for their first career state trip.

The two feeling under the weather will mean extra minutes for sophomore Kyle Schreiner, junior Nick Ayre and junior Scott Heitshusen.

“Matt was feeling sick this weekend, but it happens, so we’ve just got to play with what we got,” senior Sam Buhler said. “We’ve got to just come out, don’t overlook (West) at all, and play our best game.”

The Vikings will be out for revenge. They have momentum after beating Blue Valley North in the sub-state finals and would love to avenge a 63-43 loss Feb. 9 at home to Free State.

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In the first meeting, Schreiner said, Free State shut down 6-foot-8 West forward Chris Balham on the glass by “getting in front of him.” If that happens again, West’s stay in Emporia may be short-lived.

“We’re gonna use our strength with defensive pressure,” Schreiner said. “Hopefully, it’ll prevent him from getting the ball inside, because if he does, he obviously has the advantage on us.”