photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State senior Shannon Clarke (3) passes the ball to a teammate during a game against Gardner Edgerton Friday night at FSHS on Jan. 8, 2021.

Free State’s girls basketball team produced its best offensive outing of the year during its 72-46 victory over Topeka West Thursday night at FSHS.

The Firebirds (3-4) jumped out to a 15-13 lead after the opening period, and the offense continued to improve after that. They scored 19 points in each of the next three periods, shattering their previous season high of 42 points set in the season opener.

Senior Shannon Clarke was the main source of offensive production for Free State. She hit 10 shots from the floor on her way to scoring a team-high 24 points. Daeci Walker connected on six attempts from the floor, scoring 16 points to finish second on the squad in scoring.

Evy Harrell, who recently returned to action after an injury, joined them in double figures by scoring 14 points. Five other players ended up logging points in the win, which included a 9-point effort from Robin Todd.

FSHS will be back in action on Friday, when it hosts Shawnee Mission West (No. 5 in Class 6A) on Friday. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Topeka West 13 12 14 7 — 46

Free State 15 19 19 19 — 72

Free State 3-4 (72)

Evy Harrell 14, Shannon Clarke 24, Robin Todd 9, Daeci Walker 16, Mattie Smith 2, Thayu Kimori 3, Anna McIntire 2, Kenzie Marcum 2.