photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Macyn Ramsay jumps for a layup during a win over Olathe East on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olathe.

Friday’s girls basketball game between Free State and Lawrence will provide an atmosphere that many of the players haven’t experienced yet.

What they can expect is a crowded gym, a crazy environment and a good game.

Free State (7-13) will play host to the Lions (10-10) at 5:30 p.m. for the girls basketball portion of the City Showdown. Both teams enter on a losing strea, meaning a win against the crosstown rival could generate some momentum.

“It’s always good to play in front of your home crowd,” Free State coach Summer Frantz said. “We’ve had some good crowds this year, so I’m excited to see what it’ll look like. Everyone is excited.”

The last week was a particularly challenging one for the Firebirds, in which they lost to two of the top teams in 6A and lost senior point guard Addie Fulscher to a season-ending injury. Fulscher has been a leader for the Firebirds both on and off the court, and Lawrence coach Jeff Dickson called her “one of the best examples of the perfect student-athlete.”

The silver lining for the Firebirds is freshman Morgan McClorey. Throughout the year, she’s stepped in as the team’s point guard with Fulscher off the court and has excelled in the role. It’ll be a new environment, but the City Showdown won’t be the first time McClorey has led the offense.

“Morgan has been handling the ball for us a good load,” Frantz said. “Now, obviously, it’s a lot more on her shoulders. But it has been cool to see everyone step up without Addie and rally around her.”

On the other end, the Lions have two bigs who are among the top scorers in the Sunflower League. As of Feb. 16, 6-foot-1 junior Cami Nauholz averages 21.1 points per game, which stands at fourth in the Sunflower League, and 5-foot-10 sophomore Macyn Ramsay is seventh, averaging 13.7 points per game.

“We know Cami is a really good player for them, and they do a good job of getting her the ball,” Frantz said. “Doing what we can to limit her, especially given our size disadvantage, and also knowing where Macyn is at all times, because she’s a really good shooter.”

The height is useful beyond scoring in the paint for Nauholz. She leads the Sunflower League in rebounds per game and blocks per game, averaging 14.2 and 5.6 per game, respectively.

But the Firebirds are a tenacious bunch. What they lack in height they make up for with a fast pace of play. Junior Sarai Preston and McClorey each average over six rebounds a game.

“We’re small, but we’ve done a good job of learning how to mitigate that size difference,” Frantz said. “I know we’re going to play hard. I hope we play loose — I don’t want them to play tight.”

Free State’s attacking style of play lends itself to a fast-paced offense with strong shooting. Two of the Free State’s top freshmen have been the main beneficiaries with their scoring — freshman Quinlynn Vail averages 13.0 points per game and McClorey averages 10.5.

“They’re so well coached,” Dickson said. “They’ve got a good group of young kids and a mix of some veterans. They play with good intensity, and they have the entire time Coach Frantz has been there. They shoot the ball well and are an unselfish group.”

Frantz said she’s proud of how McClorey, Vail and freshman Taylor Hulcher have stepped up this season, saying they’ve handled the pressure of being the go-to scorers well.

Nauholz and Ramsay often lead the offense in scoring, but the Lions have some high-level players who play their roles. Freshman Marley Doleman has become a strong 3-point shooter, and sophomore guards Zoey Barber and Lucy Juelsgaard are defensive pests who can pass the ball.

Both teams rely on their young guards to bring the ball up. Both teams like to play fast and speed opposing teams up. A key for both Free State and Lawrence will be to control the pace of the game, especially in the halfcourt offense.

“It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be wild,” Dickson said. “There’s going to be runs by both teams, and the group that can settle in the longest has the best chance. But there’s always upsets, and a lot of crazy things can happen. Buckle your seatbelts.”

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State girls basketball team celebrates on the bench after Sarai Preston hit a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Cami Nauholz looks to shoot the ball in a loss to Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Overland Park.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey high-fives staff members on the bench during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Marley Doleman jumps through a defender on a layup in a loss to Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Overland Park.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Taylor Hulcher drives past the Lancers’ defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.