After a comeback victory against Mill Valley last week, Free State High’s boys basketball players have plenty of confidence heading into the City Showdown.

The Firebirds know they’ve struggled against Lawrence High in the past few seasons, but most of them haven’t been a part of the rivalry. They’re excited to show how much they’ve improved when they tip off at 7 tonight at LHS.

“It’s always a blast,” FSHS junior forward Jay Dineen said. “Even last year, they were supposed to blow us out and it was close. It’s always a close game, no matter the difference in players and athletes and all that. It’s going to be fun.”

The Firebirds (2-0) fought back from a 10-point deficit with six minutes left against Mill Valley last Friday. For the varsity newcomers, it was their first opportunity to play in a tight game down the stretch and a valuable experience.

They responded with a “great day of practice” on Saturday and are hoping the momentum carries over to their final game before winter break.

“You can only simulate so much in practice,” first-year FSHS coach Sam Stroh said. “But I think finishing a game off, making free throws when it matters, it was good for us to be in a game that was close.”

In the first two games, Free State senior forward Chrision Wilburn has averaged a team-high 17 points per game with senior Hunter Gudde averaging 14 points.

The Firebirds have lost four straight games against LHS, and seven of the last eight.

“We want to earn that respect,” FSHS junior guard Jacob Pavlyak said. “No one thinks we can beat them, even though we’ve improved. They’ve improved, too. But nobody gives us that respect since we lost to them so many times. Everyone thinks they are the basketball school.”

The Lions (4-1, ranked No. 7 in Class 6A) will be playing on back-to-back days after picking up a 62-59 victory over Lee’s Summit West in the Hy-Vee Shootout on Thursday, but that doesn’t take away any of their enthusiasm for the crosstown matchup.

“This is the game,” LHS senior forward Price Morgan said. “Free State at the Jungle. There’s nothing quite like it. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it right now.”

For the Lions, it will also serve as their home opener after starting the season with five games outside of Lawrence.

“That’s going to be a good one,” LHS senior guard Anthony Harvey said. “It’s my dad’s birthday, so it’s going to be a real special one. I’m just real excited to play those boys from the other side of town. It’s always great to play at the Jungle.”

Dineen added of the Jungle: “It just feels like everybody is on top of you. They have great students. We have great students. It’s going to be loud.”