Topeka ? Madison Piper scored 24 points and Scout Wiebe pulled down seven rebounds but Free State High’s girls basketball team opened its season Friday night with a loss, 51-36, to Topeka High.

“We were just a little bit nervous and hesitant early, and we got in a hole early,” Free State coach Bryan Duncan said. “Then we started playing better.”

The Firebirds will entertain Topeka Seaman on Tuesday.