Free State freshman Cameryn Thomas (10) drives in for a layup after beating Shawnee Mission East sophomore Kyle Haverty (5) down the court during their basketball game Tuesday evening at FSHS. The Firebirds won, 54-30, and improved their record to 6-0 on the season.

Free State High’s girls basketball players entered Tuesday’s game against Shawnee Mission East with a plan to take advantage of their size and skilled post players by forcing the ball inside on offense.

Seniors Sarah Coversup and Adriana Jadlow, along with sophomore Madison Piper, worked the plan to perfection. They dazzled and dominated in their first game following winter break, helping the Firebirds cruise in a 54-30 rout at FSHS.

The trio combined for 46 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Coversup, Jadlow and Piper seemed to have a sixth sense to where each other was on the court, finding their fellow post player for open layups.

“All three of them have very different strengths,” FSHS coach Bryan Duncan said. “Sarah is more of a true low post player, even though she can shoot it. We all know what Madison can do. She can go inside and out. She can do a little bit of everything. Adriana is more of a cutter, uses her quickness against those post players. So it’s nice having that diversity.”

The Firebirds (6-0, ranked No. 8 in Class 6A) had no problem adjusting back to game mode following their two-week break. They shot 9-for-12 in the first quarter, including a stretch of six layups in six possessions by Coversup, Jadlow and Piper. Most of the scores were entry passes from the wing and they would find space inside to convert easy baskets.

In the second quarter, Free State outscored the Lancers 11-2, forcing turnovers with its full-court defense. Coversup and Jadlow couldn’t be stopped in the paint on offense, providing all of the scoring. Coversup finished with a game-high 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

“I’m surprised because in the past we usually come out of (winter break) lazy and it’s always a close game,” said Jadlow, who made seven of her first nine shots on her way to 16 points. “We just did a good job executing.”

In the second half, Free State’s guards were ready to shine. On SM East’s first two possessions, freshman point guard Cameryn Thomas used hounding ball pressure to grab back-to-back steals. She scored eight points in final two quarters.

“I just felt a little more confident coming out in the second half,” said Thomas, who also had five boards.

SM East (0-4) was led by its quick sophomore point guard Kyle Haverty, who scored 10 points, but the Firebirds looked sharp on both sides of the ball in their return to the court.

“You always get a little bit nervous coming out of winter break, no matter how good your practices are,” Duncan said. “Your first game is always a little bit tricky. But the goal was to pound the ball inside tonight. We felt we had a big advantage in there and I thought we executed really well.”

The Firebirds will go on the road to face Olathe North at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

FREE STATE (54)

Cameryn Thomas 4-9 0-0 8, Jaycie Bishop 0-4 0-0 0, Adriana Jadlow 7-13 2-5 16, Madison Piper 3-7 2-3 8, Sarah Coversup 10-12 2-4 22, Hannah Walter 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-46 6-12 54.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST (30)

Kyle Haverty 4-12 0-2 10, Hannah Nick 0-1 0-0 0, Emma Braasch 2-7 4-5 8, Sofia Stechschulte 1-6 0-0 2, Rachel Haskell 1-3 0-0 2, Emma Linscott 0-2 0-0 0, Katie Spradling 1-5 0-0 2, Konner Pendland 2-2 0-2 4, Lilly Flint 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 12-39 4-9 30.

SM East 12 2 8 8 — 30

Free State 18 11 14 11 — 54

Three-point goals: Free State 0-4; SM East 2-6 (Haverty 2). Turnovers: Free State 10, SM East 16.