Free State boys basketball players ended a 12-year drought when they clinched a Sunflower League title earlier this week.

They are hoping to end one more drought tonight.

Free State has lost seven straight games against crosstown rival Lawrence High heading into tonight’s City Showdown at 7 p.m. at LHS, which dates back to the 2013-14 season.

After the Firebirds won their first league title since 2005 — back when Brady Morningstar was their leading scorer — they celebrated for one night then turned all of their attention to the City Showdown.

For them, there’s still something to prove in town.

“It’s very important for us,” Free State senior Shannon Cordes said. “It’s more of a statement for our city and for our school. It means a lot to all of our fans and all of our students who come out and support us every day. We just want to give them what they want.”

The sixth-ranked Firebirds (14-5, 9-1 in Sunflower League) have won eight of their last nine games since back-to-back losses in their midseason tournament. During that stretch, seniors Cordes and Cameron Clark, along with junior Garrett Luinstra, have all averaged more than 10 points per game.

But they’ve continued to hear about their losing streak against the Lions — both in person and on social media. Free State lost the first City Showdown matchup, 61-57, in December at Allen Fieldhouse.

“This is definitely one of the most important games of our season,” FSHS senior Jacob Pavlyak said, “even after we clinched the league title.”

Of course, the Firebirds have goals that extend past a league title and a rivalry game. But winning the City Showdown is still an important step forward.

“It’s definitely in the back of our heads,” Cordes said. “That’s why we have to play with a chip on our shoulder.”

The ninth-ranked Lions (12-7, 7-3) have lost three of their past four games, including two contests in overtime.

“It’s been frustrating,” LHS senior Jackson Mallory said. “We haven’t played as a team. We haven’t played the way we want to. But we’ve got better in practice and I think we’re coming closer as a team, even off the court.”

The Lions, who own six losses by six points or less, still have plenty of confidence heading into the City Showdown.

Plus, players said they are hopeful that winning the rivalry game can propel them for the postseason.

“We’ve talked, and as senior especially, we’ve said, ‘We can’t be the ones to blow the streak,'” Mallory said. “We know what rides on it. I’ve never lost to Free State since I’ve been here on varsity. We’re trying to keep that tradition alive. It’s a lot of motivation.”

For the LHS seniors — Mallory, Kobe Buffalomeat, Austin Miller and Braden Solko — this game means a little extra as one of their final home games of their careers.

Both Lawrence and Free State have earned home games in the first round of sub-state brackets.

“This game is pretty important to us, especially since our recent struggles,” Solko said. “That’s important and then it’s our rivals and I won’t be able to play them again. These are games that you don’t forget.”