photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Cooper Jackson celebrates two points off a steal against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.

Free State’s boys basketball secured a 44-31 win over Washburn Rural Friday night at FSHS on March 5, 2021. With the win in the substate championship game, the Firebirds are headed to the Class 6A state tournament for the fifth year in a row.

Photos by Chance Parker/Lawrence Journal-World

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Dash Cleveland talks with his coach toward the end of the substate championship game against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship title.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Mozae Downing celebrates with his team towards the end of the game against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State senior Andrew Piper comes down with the rebound against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Cooper Jackson brings the ball upcourt against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Cooper Jackson looks to make a play against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Mozae Downing goes behind his back in attempt to shed the Washburn Rural defender. Free State won 44-31 to claim the Class 6A substate championship Friday, March 5, 2021.

photo by: Chance Parker

Senior Justin Hicks holds the substate championship plaque Friday night at FSHS on March 5, 2021. Free State clinched the Class 6A substate championship with a 44-31 victory over Washburn Rural.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State clinched the Class 6A substate championship with a 44-31 victory over Washburn Rural Friday, March 5, 2021.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Mozae Downing drives to the paint against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 to claim the Class 6A substate championship Friday, March 5, 2021.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State clinched the Class 6A substate championship title with a 44-31 victory over Washburn Rural Friday, March 5, 2021.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Mozae Downing and sophomore Jailen Thompson block a shot by Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 to claim the Class 6A substate championship title Friday, March 5, 2021.

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State junior Cooper Jackson celebrates two points off a steal against Washburn Rural. Free State won 44-31 Friday, March 5, 2021 to clinch the Class 6A substate championship.