Free State’s boys basketball team rolled to a 59-35 win over Millwood (Okla.) in the season opener Thursday night at Hays Middle School.

Sophomore point guard Mozae Downing got the Firebirds started with 6 of his team’s 16 points in the first quarter. It was balanced after that, as Free State scored in double figures in all four periods en route to its first win.

Senior Olin Yoder paced the team with 14 points, knocking down a triple in each of the four quarters. Downing finished with 8 points, while junior Andrew Piper tallied 6 points. No other FSHS player finished with more than 5 points, but 11 different players were involved in the scoring effort.

With the win, FSHS (No. 4 in Class 6A) advanced to the semifinals of the Hays City Shootout. Free State is slated to return to action at 4:45 p.m. Friday with a spot in the championship game on the line.

Free State (59)

Kris Daniels 4, Mozae Downing 8, Ethan Lincoln 5, Cole Wheeler 3, DK Middleton 4, Camden Spano-Lund 5, Tate Fanshier 4, Andrew Piper 6, Alyus Wisdom 2, Olin Yoder 14, Jailen Thompson 4.