Free State junior Jackie Garcia (10) pressures Leavenworth sophomore RaShayla Mathis (14) Friday, December 17, 2010 in Lawrence. The Firebirds defeated the Pioneers, 61-38.

Barely five minutes into Friday night’s game, and Leavenworth High girls basketball coach Jessica Fullen was already stomping her feet, shouting “make them work as hard as they’re making you work!”

As frustrated as Fullen and her Pioneers were by Free State High’s pressure defense, FSHS coach Bryan Duncan was equally at ease.

Paced by their ballhawking defense, the Firebirds (3-2, 1-0) rolled to a 61-38 victory over the Pioneers on Friday night at FSHS.

As has been the case this season, the Firebirds were at their best when they were active in the passing lanes, creating steals and getting easy baskets in transition.

“I have the most fun when they’re doing that as well,” Duncan said.

Behind their stifling defense and timely shooting, the Firebirds went on a 13-6 run to open the game and had built a 31-16 advantage by halftime.

“We knocked them down early, and I don’t think they ever (got) up,” FSHS junior Lynn Robinson said.

The Firebirds held the Pioneers to 32-percent shooting, a number that could have been lower if not for a few easy layups once the game was all but over.

Robinson led all scorers with 16 points and four steals, and sophomore Kennedy Kirkpatrick was right behind her with 15 and four thefts of her own.

Sophomore Chelsea Casady added 10 points for the Firebirds, who received big contributions from everyone in their rotation.

Junior Jackie Garcia didn’t score a basket, but had five assists and seven rebounds. Sophomore Alexa Gaumer hit two big three-pointers and finished with eight points, and Courtney Hoag chipped in five points and five rebounds.

And down on the block, Abbey Casady (five points) played a solid defensive game on Leavenworth’s two big forwards.

“We’re playing as a team more than we have been and not as much as individuals,” Robinson said.

LEAVENWORTH (38)

Charmaine Burns 1-12 0-3 2, La’Quecia Parker 3-7 3-7 9, Amanda Parks 1-5 0-0 2, Elizabeth Furch 1-3 0-0 2, Burgandie Lewis 6-10 2-7 14, RaShayla Mathis 1-7 0-0 2, Emily Ruble 4-8 0-0 8, Ashley Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Jazmyn Floyd 0-0 0-0 0, Ishanique Harris 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-52 5-17 38.

FREE STATE (61)

Abbey Casady 2-5 1-2 5, Jackie Garcia 0-5 0-0 0, Kennedy Kirkpatrick 5-12 4-4 15, Lynn Robinson 7-12 1-2 16, Chelsea Casady 4-8 1-3 10, Alexa Gaumer 3-6 0-0 8, Courtney Hoag 2-4 1-2 5, A’Liyah Rogers 1-2 0-0 2, Scout Wiebe 0-0 0-0 0, Courtney Parker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 24-54 7-12 61

Three-point goals: Leavenworth 0-6; Free State 5-15 (Gaumer 2, C. Casady, Robinson, Kirkpatrick). Fouled out: Leavenworth — Lewis. Shooting: Leavenworth 17-52 (32.6 percent); Free State 24-54 (44.4 percent). Turnovers: Leavenworth 13, Free State 14.