McPherson ? Free State High’s boys basketball team won the 50th annual McPherson Invitational Tournament on Saturday by defeating Shawnee Mission East, 51-45, in a game that went down to the wire.

Free State led 26-17 at halftime of the championship game. The Lancers cut the Firebirds’ lead to three points, 48-45, with 24 seconds left, but FSHS held on for its ninth victory of the season. SM East had defeated FSHS, 52-44, on Jan. 7 for one of the Firebirds’ four losses.

Free State senior Khadre Lane earned tournament MVP honors. Senior Cole Moreano joined Lane on the MIT all-tournament team.

The Firebirds will be off until Feb. 7, when they host Shawnee Mission Northwest at 7 p.m. at FSHS.