Jenna Brantley’s no-look pass in the lane to Lauren Kimball summed up the atmosphere of Free State High’s Raise the Roof on Tuesday night.

The Firebirds introduced their winter-sports teams through skits and dances, but it appeared the two senior guards had just as much fun in the 15-minute girls basketball scrimmage.

Kimball, a point guard, was the floor general for the White team, which defeated the Green team, 31-10. She led all scorers with eight points.

“We didn’t have much time to get warm, so that was the best we could do,” Kimball said. “Our main offense was to get up and run.”

Free State coach Bryan Duncan said the play of Kimball and Brantley, along with Free State’s three other seniors – Kelsey Harrison, Jessica Scott and Allie Hock – would be critical to the Firebirds’ success this season.

“We’ve had tremendous leadership from our seniors,” Duncan said. “I’ll be honest, they do a lot of the teaching in practice. They really help the younger players pick things up.”

Tuesday night really was an opportunity for Firebird players and fans to kick back and have a good time. Kimball said the most impressive dance of the night had to be courtesy of the senior boys, by default.

Firebirds, from left, Kylie Walker, Megan Howard and Bailey Jacobs dance to '80s music during Raise the Roof. The winter-sports festival was Tuesday at FSHS.

“They didn’t really know the dances,” Kimball said, “but they kept trying and acting like they knew it the whole time.”

The girls basketball team will have its season opener at 5 p.m. Saturday against Maize.

After the girls scrimmaged, the Free State student government raffled off prizes and gift certificates, and the cheerleading and dance teams performed. The wrestling and bowling teams also were introduced. Athletic director Steve Grant said the school raised $1,200 for Habitat for Humanity.

The boys basketball scrimmage didn’t have quite as much scoring. Junior Weston Wiebe, along with Kris Wilson, led all scorers with eight points a piece. Their Green team defeated the White team, 20-9.

“I was pleased with everyone’s effort,” Free State coach Chuck Law said. “We’re a far cry from where we need to be, but effort-wise, we’re doing really well.”

Law said more than half the roster was new to the varsity program this season. Combine that with the fact that three players – senior Christian Ballard and juniors Jason Sneegas and Craig Rosenstengle – played on the football team, which advanced to the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs. As a result, the team hasn’t had long to work together. But playing in front of a packed gym certainly helped ease early season jitters before Free State’s home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against Maize.