Free State High’s boys basketball team will have a tough road ahead in the McPherson Invitational Basketball Tournament next week at McPherson High.

The Firebirds (5-4) will face Buhler (4-3) in the first round at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. FSHS will then face McPherson (7-0, ranked no. 1 in Division-1 4A) or Wichita-North (3-5) on the following day, depending on which teams win or lose in the first round.

Shawnee Mission East (6-2, ranked No. 9 in 6A) and Derby (6-3) are also included in the three-day tournament.

Meanwhile, Lawrence High (7-1, ranked no. 5 in 6A) will face Wichita South (4-5) in the first round of the Topeka Invitational Tournament at 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 23 at Topeka High.

The Lions will face either Topeka West (2-4) or K.C. Washington (3-3) in the second round. Topeka Highland Park (7-0, ranked no. 1 in 5A), who gave LHS its lone defeat of the season, is also in the tournament.