photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett (3) goes to high-five teammate Jadon Clock during the Firebirds' game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State boys basketball team sings their school’s alma mater following their game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Owen Garber shoots a 3 before being met by a Junction City defender during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Jadon Clock defends a Junction City inbound pass during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel loads up to attack the basket during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Reece Wilmes eyes the basket before taking free throws during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Reece Wilmes pump fakes the Junction City defender into fouling during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett brings the ball past half court during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin fights on the floor for a loose ball during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett pulls up for a jumper during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ethan Prescott goes through his free throw routine during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ethan Prescott waits for the Junction City defender to come down to take a shot during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams drives to the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams gets into his defensive stance as Junction City brings the ball down the court during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bennett Nagel keeps his eyes on the basket as he shoots a 3 during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Jadon Clock goes up for a tough shot during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett (3) goes to high-five teammate Jadon Clock during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett celebrates a 3 to end the first half of the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams fires off a 3 during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bennett Nagel rises above the Junction City defense for a bucket during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett is fouled shooting a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel shoots a floater over the hands of a Junction City defender during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel (0) and senior Bennett Nagel high five during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel fights for a loose ball during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ethan Prescott shoots a free throw during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Brayden DeBruin drives in to the lane during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett pulls back his dribble during the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bennett Nagel goes up for the tip off to start the Firebird’s game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State boys basketball team huddles before taking the court for their game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Reece Wilmes comes on to the court as his name is announced prior to the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Mallary Hice fights for a loose ball during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail looks for an open teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Sarai Preston is welcomed to the bench by teammates during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Aedri Grooms keeps the ball away from a Junction City defender during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher beats Junction City down the court for a layup during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State girls basketball team huddles around head coach Summer Frantz during their game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State girls basketball head coach Summer Frantz watches as a shot travels towards the basket during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Addi Hothan watches her teammates as she waits to check into the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail takes a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail is swarmed by a Junction City defender the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Firebirds celebrate a play from freshman Morgan McClorey (center) during their game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher (left) and Morgan McClorey (right) help up teammate Addie Fulscher from the floor during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Addie Fulscher finishes a fast break with a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher looks to pass during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey swipes the ball from a Junction City ball handler during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey takes a free throw after being fouled by Junction City during the Firebirds’ game on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Libby Easter looks for an open teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Addie Fulscher gathers her dribble while looking for options against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey keeps her eye on the ball as it is brought down the court by Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Addie Fulscher comes off the bench as she is introduced before the Firebirds’ game against Junction City on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.