photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Free State junior DK Middleton (10) drives in for a layup during the Firebirds' 58-40 victory against Gardner-Edgerton on Tuesday at FSHS.

Prior to the opening round of the McPherson Invitational, the Free State boys basketball coach Sam Stroh gave his team a challenge.

With Noah Butler sidelined with an ankle injury, Stroh asked players to step up in his absence. And that they did. A trio of players scored in double figures, including a reserve, to lead Free State to a 61-44 victory over Mill Valley Thursday night at McPherson.

“I thought this was the best game for our bench,” Stroh said. “We just told them one of the keys to the game was for someone to step up. Not necessarily scoring wise, just give us some minutes.”

Butler, who got injured in the previous outing against Blue Valley West, tested his ankle in warmups before the team decided to sit him. Stroh said he would be a game-time decision in the semifinals, as Free State takes on Shawnee Mission East at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

DK Middleton led the way with 15 points for the Firebirds. Alyus Wisdom came off the bench to score 13 points, while Andrew Piper tallied 11 points. Turner Corcoran registered 6 points as well.

“That was probably Alyus’ best game of his high school career,” Stroh said.

FSHS led by a 17-14 margin after the opening period, but ultimately broke the game open with 25-point showing in the third period. It marked the team’s second consecutive double-digit win.

“I thought we played really well, we started a bit slow,” Stroh said. “I thought we played smart basketball. I think defensively we settled in after halftime.”

Free State (61)

Mozae Downing 7, DK Middleton 15, Andrew Piper 11, Turner Corcoran 6, Ryan Stacey 8, Alyus Wisdom 13.

Mill Valley (44)

Matt Wittenauer 2, Nick Davie 17, Braeden Wiltse 4, Jack McGuire 10, Quinten Wittenauer 2, Pete Janssen 6, Seth Hobson 2, Clint Chappell 2.