With sub-state approaching closer each day, Free State High girls basketball players have a different look in their eyes. Each game means a little more. Each possession is more important.


That’s what makes the close losses so much more frustrating. The Firebirds suffered a 58-51 loss against Olathe East on Friday.


The Firebirds certainly didn’t play poorly in the loss. They could’ve played a little bit better on defense. They gave up a few too many rebounds. But when an opponent drills six threes in one quarter, it’s tough to keep up offensively.


“It’s definitely frustrating because I know we really wanted it,” FSHS junior Madison Piper said. “It came down to our execution on defense and I don’t think our defense was as good as we wanted it to be that game.”


Of Free State’s six losses this season, five are against teams ranked in the top five in the state. The lone exception was a one-point loss to Lawrence High in the City Showdown in December.


Free State’s boys basketball team faced one of the most talented teams in the state playing at its best in a 68-61 loss at Olathe East.


In the first half, the Firebirds were efficient on offense and played solid defense. Yet, they were only up three points at halftime and were doomed by an 11-0 run in the third quarter by O-East.


The Firebirds bounced back with a victory against William Chrisman (Mo.) on Saturday, and they weren’t discouraged by their road loss. Sitting a game back in the sub-state standings from the No. 2 seed, the Firebirds will likely have to win a road game against a top team to earn a spot at state.


“We need to keep cleaning things up on the road with three or four minutes to go,” FSHS coach Sam Stroh said. “(Lawrence High), McPherson, here, Olathe South in overtime, we’re right there. And we might be on the road in sub-state. So this is a good learning experience for us. Come sub-state, hopefully this will pay off.”
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In case you missed it, we’re copying one of the popular features of KUsports.com, “Keegan’s Ratings,” where Sports Editor Tom Keegan ranks KU football and men’s basketball players after every game he attends. These individual rankings are just one person’s opinion, but it’s a good way to look at how each person impacted each game.

Free State girls basketball

1. Madison Piper, jr. — Piper received a lot of attention from defenders, and still found a way to score a team-high 18 points. She did most of her work inside of the three-point line, knocking down jumpers and getting into the paint for layups. She had good looks for a couple of potential game-tying threes in the final minute, but just couldn’t get them to fall.


2. Jaelyn Two Hearts, soph. — Down by six points in the fourth quarter, Two Hearts hit threes on back-to-back possessions to help the Firebirds back into the game. She scored 11 points and played solid defense, deflecting a couple of passes.


3. Cameryn Thomas, soph. — The Firebirds needed some help on the glass, and Thomas grabbed some key rebounds. With a minute left in the fourth quarter, Thomas turned the ball over, but made up for it by forcing a 10-second violation in the backcourt. She added nine points, including four at the beginning of the third quarter.


4. Caiti Schlesener, sr. — In the middle of the second quarter, Schlesener grabbed a steal and made a layup while being fouled. She added a layup at the beginning of the second quarter, scoring four points, and assisted on a three by Two Hearts.


5. Peyton Brown, sr. — Brown scored on an inbounds play with two minutes left, cutting her team’s deficit to one point. Facing some tall post players, Brown played strong defense in the paint, limiting layups.


6. Hannah Walter, sr. — Walter scored two points, but was limited in the fourth quarter because of foul trouble. When she was on the court, she played strong defense and closed out strong on shooters. She fouled out with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining.


7. Jaycie Bishop, jr. — Drilled a three-pointer at the beginning of the second quarter, helping her team score on four straight possessions. She added strong defense.


• Next up: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. SM West. Record: 12-6.

Free State boys basketball

1. Hunter Gudde, sr. — Gudde has a sixth sense when he knows he needs to step up for his team on offense. In the third quarter, he scored six of his team’s nine points. He finished with a game-high 22 points, adding three rebounds and two assists.


2. Jay Dineen, jr. — Earning a spot in the starting lineup, Dineen used his strength to his advantage for one of his best games of the season. He finished with eight points, eight rebounds and two assists. Defensively, he was active and grabbed a steal.


3. Kristian Rawls, sr. — Rawls put his teammates in good positions and played strong defense outside of a few touch fouls. He scored six points and dished two assists, dropping off passes on drives to the rim.


4. Shannon Cordes, jr. — In the fourth quarter, Cordes provided a nice offensive boost, scoring six of his seven points in the final eight minutes. He’s becoming more dangerous with his drives to the rim, earning trips to the free throw line.


5. Jacob Pavlyak, jr. — Pavlyak didn’t fill up the stat sheet, grabbing two rebounds and going scoreless. But he did a lot of things that don’t show up from stats. He was everywhere diving for loose balls and helping the Firebirds pick up extra offensive possessions. He also deflected a few passes, causing turnovers.


6. Sloan Thomsen, jr. — Off of the bench, Thomsen was efficient. He made some strong plays in the post, grabbing three rebounds and scoring seven points. In the second quarter, he scored five points — a putback and a three-pointer.


7. Cameron Clark, jr. — Clark was dominant in the first quarter, scoring seven points, including a dunk in transition and an and-one layup. But he never regained his rhythm after the first quarter, running into foul trouble and finishing with two rebounds and an assist.


8. Chrision Wilburn, sr. — Off of the bench, Wilburn brought energy and was sharp on the court. Facing a pair of forwards taller than 6-foot-6, he scored two points and grabbed three rebounds.


9. Darian Lewis, sr. — Lewis made a layup at the end of the first half, catching a pass from Pavlyak.


10. Simon McCaffrey, soph. — Filled in for a few minutes during the second quarter at point guard and played active defense on the perimeter.


11. Drew Tochtrop, sr. — Entered in the fourth quarter but did not record any stats.


• Next up: 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. SM West. Record: 13-5.

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Sunflower League boys basketball standings


Team … League … Overall


SM North … 9-0 … 14-4


Lawrence … 8-1 … 16-2


Olathe South … 7-2 … 13-5


Olathe East … 6-3 … 14-4


Free State … 6-3 … 13-5


Olathe North …4-5 … 12-6


SM West … 3-6 … 6-12


SM South … 3-6 … 8-10


SM East … 4-5 … 7-11


Olathe Northwest … 2-7 … 7-11


SM Northwest … 2-7 … 7-11


Leavenworth … 0-9 … 2-16


Sunflower League girls basketball standings


Team … League … Overall


Olathe South … 8-1 … 16-1


Olathe East … 8-1 … 15-3


Leavenworth … 8-1 … 14-4


SM Northwest … 7-2 … 16-2


SM West … 6-3 … 10-8


Free State … 5-4 … 12-6


SM North … 5-4 … 8-10


Lawrence … 3-6 … 9-9


SM East … 2-7 … 4-14


SM South … 1-8 … 4-14


Olathe Northwest … 1-8 … 7-11


Olathe North … 0-9 … 2-16
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