photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State senior Kris Daniels (0) goes up for a layup during a game against Shawnee Heights Wednesday night at FSHS on Jan. 27, 2021

Behind a big offensive showing in the first half, Free State’s boys basketball team cruised to a 69-41 road win over Olathe East on Tuesday.

The Firebirds (11-2, No. 5 in Class 6A) scored 20 points in the opening period before adding 23 more in the second quarter. They were able coast from that moment on, thanks to a balanced offensive effort as is normally the case with this team.

Kris Daniels led FSHS in scoring with 13 points, which included him knocking down a trio of 3-pointers in the first half.

Andrew Piper and Cooper Jackson each added 12 points for the Firebirds. Piper scored 8 of those points in the first quarter, while Jackson tallied 7 points in the second period.

Dash Cleveland registered 8 points for Free State, while Mozae Downing and Jailen Thompson each finished with 7 points in the win.

FSHS will host Olathe South (No. 6 in Class 6A) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Free State 20 23 16 10 — 69

Olathe East 12 4 14 11 — 41

Free State (69)

Kris Daniels 13, Mozae Downing 7, Dash Cleveland 8, Jailen Thompson 7, Cole Wheeler 5, Andrew Piper 12, Cooper Jackson 12, Hobbs Herlihy 5.