Topeka ? Free State High boys basketball coach Chuck Law has been preaching tempo prior to tonight’s Class 6A sub-state battle with Topeka High.

“We’ve got to be in the 40’s or low 50’s for us to be in the game,” Law said. “If it’s in the 60’s and 70’s, it’s going to be a long night for us.”

Tipoff is 7 p.m. in the Trojans’ gym.

The Firebirds have had success slowing a fast-paced offense. Just ask Lawrence High. The Firebirds finished the regular season by completing a series sweep of LHS on Friday, 56-49.

“It’s not a dissimilar situation from Lawrence High,” Law said of tonight’s game.

Free State has some momentum, having won three of its last four.

“Well, this time of year it’s all about playing your best basketball of the year,” Law said. “I think we may actually be there. … So, we’re feeling pretty confident. For an 8-12 team to go into sub-state with a relatively good chance of winning a basketball game is about all you can ask for. And I think that’s where we are.”

In a Jan. 27 meeting with T-High, the Firebirds had the right tempo, but they suffered a 53-41 loss because they couldn’t score.

“We shot very poorly – 29 percent – for the game,” Law said. “We gave up too many easy baskets, especially in transition.”

However, Free State held Chris White-Ready, who leads the Trojans with 17 points per game, to nine points.

“If we can make some baskets, keep them from scoring in transition and defend White-Ready and (Justin) Purtee – their two leading scorers – as well as we did the first time around, I think we’re going to be in the ball game,” Law said.

Law also may have an ace in the hole in guard Kyle Schreiner, who didn’t play in the first meeting with the Trojans because of an injury.