photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State head boys basketball coach Dwayne Paul during a game on January 11, 2024, at Free State High School.

The Free State boys basketball team fell to Shawnee Mission North 56-54 Wednesday night at Free State High School, following two late free throws from Dailan Holman that won the game for the Bison.

Despite 20 points from Dash Johnson of Free State, the Firebirds (5-7) could not overtake the Bison (5-7), who despite being down by eight points in the fourth quarter went on a late scoring run to defeat FSHS on its home floor.

The Bison scored the game’s first four points in the opening moments, but five instant points from Korbin Dowdell put FSHS ahead midway through the first quarter, with Johnson adding several baskets himself to force a SM North timeout.

The Bison stormed back to cut the deficit to three heading into the second quarter, trailing just 15-12 after the first eight minutes Wednesday night.

Each team continued to play solid defense throughout the second quarter by forcing tough shots and short possessions, but it was Johnson who gave his team a spark offensively by knocking in two crucial 3-pointers, helping the Firebirds take a small lead going into halftime even with late scoring by the visiting Bison.

The relentless defense from both sides continued into the second half with both teams struggling to get quality shots from the field, but three more points each from Dowdell and Johnson pushed FSHS to maintain its slim lead of one entering the fourth quarter.

A 3 by Caden Kermoade made the deficit one for the Bison approaching the fourth, but neither side established a rhythm offensively with just eight minutes remaining in regulation.

Johnson scored five points, including a long 3-pointer, to give Free State its largest lead of the night at eight, prompting another timeout from the visiting Bison.

The late scoring run came in clutch for SM North, with several players scoring crucial baskets down the stretch, leading to the Bison tying the game with just a minute left.

The Firebirds aimed to take the game’s last shot, as Dowdell ran the clock down to inside of 10 seconds before making his move. After a miss by FSHS, a foul was called against the home team on the rebound, leading to two potentially game-winning free throws for SM North.

Holman proceeded to knock down both to give the Bison the victory, as the Firebirds could not get a shot off on the final possession, leading to the come-from-behind victory for Shawnee Mission North.

Free State next plays at Olathe West Tuesday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at Olathe West High School.

Shawnee Mission North (56) Jourden White 1-2 0-0 2; Aziz Jagne 6-6 1-1 13; Liam Dalley 2-5 0-0 4; Alex Casares 5-8 3-3 13; Dailan Holman 4-5 3-4 11, Caden Kermoade 1-2 0-0 3, Quincy Bynum 3-3 0-0 6, Julius Casares 2-2 0-0 4. Totals: 24-33 7-8 56.

Free State (54) Free State (54) Devon Hamilton 1-2 2-2 4; Korbin Dowdell 7-11 1-4 16; Wesley Edison 2-3 4-6 8; Dash Johnson 8-17 1-2 20; AJ Eason 1-1 1-2 4, Bennett Nagel 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 20-38 9-16 54.

Score by quarters

Shawnee Mission North 12 14 11 19 — 56

Free State 15 12 11 16 — 54

3-point goals: FSHS: 5-13 Korbin Dowdell (1), Dash Johnson (3), AJ Eason (1); SMNHS 1-5 Caden Kermoade (1): Turnovers: FSHS 11, SMNHS 11. Fouled Out: FS: Wesley Edison.