There’s an explanation for host Free State High having a better seed than Topeka Highland Park at this week’s Firebird Winter Classic girls basketball tournament.

Fifth-seeded Free State (2-7) has won one fewer game than the sixth-seeded Scots (3-10), but the Firebirds were given a better seed because Lawrence High is also in the tournament, and officials felt it was desirable to have the two city schools in opposite brackets.

“We did that because otherwise we’d end up playing Lawrence High four times this year,” Free State athletic director Steve Grant said. “We told the teams we’d do that going in.”

The Lions (8-1) are the No. 2 seed and will play Topeka West (3-8) at 7 p.m. Thursday while Free State will meet Kansas City Sumner Academy (4-4) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Both games will be in the main gym.

In the north gym Thursday, No. 3 seed Wichita North (6-4) will play the Scots at 5:30 p.m. while top-seeded Hutchinson — Class 6A’s top-ranked team at 9-0 — will open against No. 8 seed Kansas City Wyandotte at 7 p.m..

Semfinals are Friday night. The championship game will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.