Free State High School seniors representing their winter sports from left are basketball players Hunter Gudde, Hannah Walter, swimmer Brett Carey and wrestler Cameron Shanks.

Thanksgiving has passed, and for the athletes at Free State High, that means the winter sports seasons are set to begin.

Here is a look at what all of the Firebirds’ programs expect out of the upcoming season:

Boys basketball

A new era of Free State boys basketball will begin this season under first-year coach Sam Stroh, who helped Shawnee Heights to a 36-9 record over the past two seasons, including a trip to the Class 5A state quarterfinals last year.

What will be the biggest challenge in the first few weeks?

“Install of our offense and defense,” Stroh said. “Football players getting into basketball shape and picking up what we have installed so far.”

The Firebirds will be led by senior guard Hunter Gudde, who received an All-Sunflower League honorable mention for his play last season, helping his team to an 11-10 record.

Free State is also hoping for a strong season from point guard Kristian Rawls.

“I like how we competed as a team this summer and the first few practices,” said Stroh, noting he likes his team’s depth this season.

Free State will play host to AC Prep in its season opener at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Girls basketball

Free State’s girls basketball team fell one game shy of earning a trip to the state tournament last year, finishing with a 17-5 record after a four-point loss in the sub-state finals.

A few seniors have graduated, but the Firebirds have a strong core led by junior Madison Piper, who averaged 17 points per game on her way to Sunflower League Player of the Year honors last year. They’ll also have senior guard Hannah Walter, junior Jaycie Bishop and sophomore Cameryn Thomas.

The Firebirds are hoping for big contributions this season from seniors Peyton Brown and Caitlin Schlesener. Brown missed most of last season because of a leg injury.

With a strong set of guards, 14th-year coach Bryan Duncan said the Firebirds will have a “faster style of play” this season.

FSHS will start the year on the road against Topeka at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Boys swimming

On the first day of practice, Free State’s boys swimming and diving team set its goal of trying to win a Sunflower League title. The Firebirds finished runner-up last year and return plenty of firepower.

The Firebirds, who placed third at state last season, will be led by junior Jordan Portela. He won state titles in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly and helped the Firebirds to a state-meet record in the 400 freestyle relay.

Free State also returns seniors Ethan Kallenberger, Brandon Bunting and Brett Carey, juniors Portela, Evan Yoder, Syd Lin and Matthew Wilkus, sophomore Evan Eskilson, and divers Chad Bourdon, Skylar Eklund and Eli Garcia.

“It’s very exciting,” coach Annette McDonald said. “Young talent. Returning talent. I’m really excited.”

Free State begins at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with a home quadrangular.

Wrestling

Free State’s wrestling team has high expectations for the upcoming season, loaded with returners from last year’s regional championship team.

FSHS coach Mike Gillman helped 11 wrestlers qualify for state last season, the most he has had during his seven years at the school. Ten of those 11 wrestlers are back this season, highlighted by sophomore Tate Steele, who took third place at state and earned Sunflower League Wrestler of the Year honors with a 36-2 record.

The Firebirds will also bring back Cameron Shanks, Isaiah Jacobs, Sid Miller, Ben Hill, James Wensel, Wyatt Stevens, Sky Carey, Nick Eddis and Luke Winchester. Add in transfer Bennett King and senior Sam Skwarlo, who missed all of last season due to a foot injury but took fourth at state in 2014, and the Firebirds hope for a special season.

“Sam is the kind of kid that shows a tremendous amount of leadership with his actions in the room at each tournament,” Gillman said. “He never has excuses and always wants to get better every second.”

The Firebirds will start in a double dual against Olathe East and Bishop Miege on at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bishop Miege.