?Free State forward Cameryn Thomas (10) dribbles toward the basket against Wichita East on Wednesday night at FSHS. The Firebirds won the sub-state game, 50-17.

If there was any question how Free State High’s girls basketball players would respond to a loss in last week’s City Showdown, they answered quickly and powerfully.

Eyeing a potential spot in the Class 6A state tournament, the Firebirds held Wichita East to just six points in the first half and rolled to an eventual 50-17 victory on Wednesday at FSHS in the first round of sub-state.

On defense, it’s always much easier said than done to apply pressure on the perimeter and grab rebounds. But the third-seeded Firebirds (14-7) were more than ready, snagging nine steals, including four by sophomore point guard Cameryn Thomas and two from juniors Madison Piper and Jaycie Bishop.

When the Aces put up shots, the Firebirds crashed the glass and limited offensive rebounds. Thomas and senior guard Hannah Walter led with seven rebounds each.

“We’ve played a lot of tough games the last couple of weeks,” FSHS coach Bryan Duncan said. “I think having a game like this actually helped us more than it hurt us tonight. We were able to get some nerves out, and in the second half, particularly, we could get out, play loose and play simple.”

Facing Wichita East’s 2-3 zone defense, the Firebirds played through senior forward Peyton Brown, who scored eight of her 10 points in the first half. Her teammates had the ball along the baseline and delivered passes to Brown, who made cuts to the rim for layups.

There’s no question the 5-foot-9 Brown is playing with more confidence on the offensive end.

She has averaged 11.3 points in the past three games.

What changed?

“I think it’s just the realization that this is my senior year, and I won’t be playing next year,” said Brown, who added five rebounds. “I just want to leave everything out there on the court. That means shooting more and driving.”

After Brown carried Free State’s offense in the first half, Piper and senior guard Caiti Schlesener took the torch from there.

The duo combined for 16 of the team’s 18 points in the third quarter when sixth-seeded Wichita East (7-14) switched to a man-to-man defense.

In the third quarter, Schlesener drilled two three-pointers, and Piper scored on putbacks, floaters and free throws.

“Watching Caiti go to work was awesome,” Brown said. “Toward the end of the game, as soon as she shot it, I knew it was going in. When she’s on fire, she’s on fire.”

The Firebirds earned a running clock in the fourth quarter after scoring 10 points in the first four minutes, turning steals into a layup line.

FSHS junior reserve Sophia Jadlow knocked down two free throws and grabbed two rebounds in the final two minutes.

Free State will travel to second-seeded Washburn Rural (16-5) for the sub-state finals at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Firebirds won, 53-36, against the Junior Blues in the third-place game of the Firebird Winter Classic on Jan. 30, but are planning for a much tougher test in the rematch.

“Last time we played them, I don’t think it was the best they’ve ever played,” Thomas said. “I mean it was the third day of the tournament and we were all tired. We’re going to expect a lot better from them.”

WICHITA EAST (17)

Lashaya Lawrie 1-6 0-0 2, Mariah McKinney 1-7 0-0 2, Alexis Shamburg 1-5 1-3 3, Kyeisha Ross 3-5 0-0 6, Sha’nel Turner 0-3 0-0 0, Arie Burl 0-0 0-0 0, Jamia Jackson 1-7 0-0 2, Robin McCoy 0-1 0-0 0, Kaciayonna Coleman 1-1 0-0 2, Mierra McKinney 0-4 0-0 0, Brookyla George 0-0 0-2 0, England Smith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 8-40 1-5 17.

FREE STATE (50)

Cameryn Thomas 1-4 0-0 2, Caiti Schlesener 6-10 0-0 15, Madison Piper 6-10 4-4 17, Hannah Walter 2-3 0-0 4, Peyton Brown 4-7 2-2 10, Jaycie Bishop 0-2 0-0 0, Erin Cushing 0-3 0-0 0, Molly Murray 0-0 0-0 0, Calli Bowen 0-0 0-0 0, Sophia Jadlow 0-0 2-2 2, Sara Pavlyak 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-39 8-8 50.

Wichita East 2 4 11 0 — 17

Free State 10 10 18 12 — 50

Three-point goals: Wichita East 0-17; Free State 4-11 (Schlesener 3, Piper). Turnovers: Wichita East 14, Free State 8.