photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Cooper Jackson shoots the ball against Shawnee Mission East. Free State won 78-75 in overtime Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.

Free State’s boys basketball team extended its win streak to nine games with a 55-48 road victory over Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday.

Following a 4-0 showing last week, the Firebirds (No. 4 in Class 6A) got behind early with a 10-8 hole after the opening period. They bounced back with an 18-point effort in the second quarter before pouring in 16 more points in the third period.

Junior Cooper Jackson led the visitors with 11 points in the win, though he was one of three players to end up in double figures. Senior Andrew Piper finished with 10 points after making four shots from the floor, while junior Mozae Downing tallied 10 points by scoring half of that at the free throw line.

It was enough to help Free State improve to 17-2 on the year entering its rivalry matchup with Lawrence High on Friday. FSHS has not lost since suffering a 57-43 defeat to St. James Academy on Jan. 23.

The boys edition of the City Showdown will be held at Free State on Friday. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.

Free State 8 18 16 13 — 55

SM North 10 12 8 18 — 48

Free State (55)

Kris Daniels 7, Mozae Downing 10, Dash Cleveland 8, Jailen Thompson 6, Cole Wheeler 3, Andrew Piper 10, Cooper Jackson 11.