The Free State girls basketball team lost its home opener, 50-22, against William Chrisman High School on Thursday night in a game that the visitors controlled from start to finish.

Even though the Firebirds (0-2) just couldn’t keep up with the Bears (4-2), Free State coach Summer Frantz stayed optimistic after the game.

“I think there were definitely positive things to draw from it,” Frantz said. “All the things that we need to work on are things that I think we have the want to and we will work on. We’re not a big team so we’ve got to play a little bit more physical.”

William Chrisman started out strong and took control early in the first quarter, going on an 8-0 run in the first four minutes to force a Free State timeout.

Free State then responded with 3-pointers from Addie Fulscher and Symira Spencer, but the Firebirds were still down by double digits (19-8) at the start of the second quarter.

That was when the Bears went on a 7-0 run and never looked back. They used their size and athleticism to score easy baskets inside, continuing to put pressure on the Firebirds defense.

By the end of the first half, William Chrisman led 41-13.

In the third quarter, the Firebirds played strong defense and only gave up nine points. Cydnee Price, Jordan Walker and La’Kai Mumford helped force three turnovers by William Chrisman, and Price was also responsible for the Firebirds’ only basket in the quarter.

The fourth quarter featured stout defense by both sides, and the first basket didn’t come until the 3:30 mark. Price converted an old fashioned 3-point play and then sank in two free throws moments later to earn five points in a matter of seconds.

The final score may have been lopsided, but there were some bright spots, including strong play from Fulscher, a freshman with the Firebirds. She led the way with eight points, including a 3-pointer in the second quarter and a 2-for-2 performance at the free throw line.

“We’re super excited about Addie,” Frantz said. “As a freshman, she’s showing some things we’re super excited about. We really want her to be even more aggressive.”

Next, Free State next takes on Blue Valley Southwest on Friday in the second of back-to-back home games. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

“It’s a process, and we’ll get better every day,” Frantz said. “We’ve got to keep coming into practice every day and get better in practice.”

BOX SCORE:

William Chrisman (50)

Olivia Williams 0-2 1-2 1, Elise Mackey 0-1 0-0 0, Lillian Miller 3-9 2-5 8, Amelia McGhee 3-6 2-5 8, Mele Taula 4-12 3-3 11, Teuila Key 5-11 4-5 14, Olivia McGhee 4-6 0-0 8, Lillian McGhee 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 19-49 FG, 10-15 FT, 50.

Free State (22)

Addie Fulscher 2-8 2-2 8, Hayden Moore 0-2 0-2 0, La’Kai Mumford 1-7 0-2 2, Hadley Lonnberg 0-2 0-0 0, Cara Jeffries 0-6 0-0 0, Cydnee Price 2-9 5-5 9, Symira Spencer 1-3 0-0 3, Chloe Clossen 0-1 0-0 0, Jordan Walker 0-2 0-0 0, Totals: 6-40 FG, 7-11 FT, 22.

Score by quarters

William Chrisman 19 22 9 0– 50

Free State 8 5 2 7 — 22

3-point goals: WC 2-8 Ameila McGhee (2); FS 3-22 Addie Fulscher (2), Symira Spencer (1); Turnovers: WC 10; FSHS 8. Fouled out: None.