A long, frustrating season came to a close for Free State High’s boys basketball team Thursday night with a 65-47 loss at Leavenworth.

Much like other parts of the 2011-12 campaign, the sub-state defeat had its ups and downs.

Said senior guard Brett Frantz: “In the first half we did really good, and in the second half we kind of broke down. Toward the end, we could feel it slipping away, slipping away.”

Here are the “Prep Appraisals” for the final game of the FSHS season.

1. Gabe Patterson, sr. — Came out playing inspired on the glass, collecting each of the first four available defensive rebounds in the game. The 6-foot-3 forward scored 12 of his 18 points (a team-high) in the second half and finished with eight boards (also a team-high).

2. Tyler Self, sr. — Free State coach Chuck Law told the 6-foot senior that Thursday was his best game as a Firebird. It’s hard to argue with that. Self found a groove from the top of the key, and cashed in three from deep after getting himself going in the first quarter with a baseline jumper. Self helped feed Patterson inside, with mostly spot-on entry passes, and finished with three assists.

3. Brett Frantz, sr. — A versatile scorer for FSHS, Frantz closed a solid senior season with nine points, getting them in a variety of ways. He hit a short jumper in the lane off a busted play, converted a tough reverse layup, knocked down a mid-range jump shot and connected on one of his five three-point tries.

4. Shawn Knighton, sr. — Free State’s half-court offense was at its best in the first half with Knighton driving and dishing. Four of his team-high five assists came in the Firebirds’ most productive quarters, the first and second. He also had three rebounds.

5. Cameron Dabney, sr. — The slashing guard knocked down a couple of jumpers in the first two quarters but couldn’t get into the flow of the offense in the second half. Dabney finished with four points and four rebounds.

6. Cole Moreano, so. — He only hoisted one three-point try, and though that shot misfired, Moreano contributed mightily in other ways off the bench. The sophomore collected four rebounds, passed out two assists and had a steal on a night Law deferred primarily to his senior starters.

7. Blake Winslow, so. — Had an assist in the first quarter and swiped three steals in the third. Though Winslow hurt his right ankle at the end of the third quarter, he was able to return in the fourth.

8. Reshawn Caro, so. — Scored on a lay-up late and had a rebound.

9. Kyle McFarland, jr. — Didn’t attempt a shot in limited minutes and had one rebound.

Free State season record: 7-14.

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