The mostly young Free State High girls basketball team still has a ways to go.

That much was apparent Tuesday night, when the Firebirds were topped, 62-45, by a savvy, experienced Shawnee Mission West bunch at FSHS.

While the Firebirds missed a few open layups early, the Vikings capitalized, and rolled to a 16-1 lead they would never surrender.

“I think we just need to get a bit more pumped up and come out strong,” said sophomore Kennedy Kirkpatrick, who led FSHS (8-9) with 19 points and seven rebounds. “As opposed to waiting around for something to happen.”

Though they trailed, 38-20 at the half, coach Bryan Duncan said his message at halftime was to “stay positive” and “play the way (we) play.”

The message worked, as the Firebirds, boosted by eight points from Kirkpatrick, controlled the third quarter and had whittled the lead down to 47-38 at the start of the fourth.

“I think we started to put a scare in them,” Duncan said. “That third quarter is about as good as we can play.”