photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior guard Mozae Downing brings the ball up the court against Gardner Edgerton. Free State won at Gardner Edgerton Friday, Jan. 8.

Make that four wins in a row for the Free State boys basketball team.

Thanks to a stingy defensive effort in the second half, Free State secured a 42-33 win over Olathe Northwest Friday night at FSHS. The Firebirds (5-1, No. 9 in Class 6A) have now won four consecutive games, a streak that started when the team returned to action in January after the extended break.

Olathe Northwest jumped out to a 11-9 lead after the first quarter, but the hosts bounced right back with a 13-point outing in the second period. Andrew Piper and Cole Wheeler combined to score 10 of those points for the Firebirds, who had a 22-18 advantage at the intermission.

Free State locked it in on the defensive end over the final two quarters to earn its latest victory. The Ravens were held to just 6 points in the third quarter alone, as they only knocked down seven shots in the entire second half.

It took a total-team effort for FSHS to defend that well down the stretch. On the offensive end, junior guard Mozae Downing led the team with 12 points. He was the only Firebird to reach double figures. Cooper Jackson ended up with 8 points in the win.

Free State will have a quick turnaround for the second week in a row. FSHS plays host to Shawnee Mission Northwest at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Olathe NW 11 7 6 9 — 33

Free State 9 13 11 9 — 42

Free State (42)

Kris Daniels 3, Mozae Downing 12, Dash Cleveland 3, Jailen Thompson 2, Cole Wheeler 5, Isaac Gonzales 3, Andrew Piper 6, Cooper Jackson 8.