Free State freshman Addie Fulscher drives the ball against Wichita Northwest on Friday, January 27, 2023.

Free State guard Addie Fulscher’s first club basketball season culminated in six games at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago over the weekend and a lot of lessons learned.

The rising junior played for the Missouri Phenom team, specifically with the KC Myles/Roth squad. Its club season ended with the tournament featuring teams of all age groups with numerous college coaches in attendance. It was a totally different experience from high school basketball, and one that she learned from and can take back with her into the next Free State girls basketball season.

“It was great basketball,” Fulscher said. “Aside from playing, it was good to watch the other teams there that were maybe on a higher level. (Playing club) is definitely different than high school… the girls obviously have a higher passion for the sport.”

Fulscher competed with the 16-and-under team, so she had a chance to watch some of the 17-and-under teams play. There were a lot of takeaways from both playing and watching the games, but one of the main takeaways from those games was one of the least obvious parts of a basketball game, the high-fives. It was constant, for everyone and with everyone. That’s something that she plans to incorporate into the Firebirds girls basketball team.

“I think our communication has become a lot better — we’ve become a lot closer on and off the court,” Fulscher said of the Firebirds. “The little things like high-fives, during games just making sure if you’re on the bench you’re engaged. If someone gets subbed out, you stand up for them and give them a high-five, rather than just staying down.”

The Free State girls basketball team is in a rebuild with two years complete under coach Summer Frantz. Fulscher has been a leader for the team in both of her underclassmen seasons, but now as a junior, her role on and off the field for the team will be greater. That means incorporating the new and younger girls into the team during summer workouts. Having started at Free State at the same time, Fulscher and Frantz have built a relationship together as the team develops some of the younger players who are still learning and growing in the sport. Fulscher’s experiences at a club level can help facilitate that growth among the newer players.

On the personal side, Fulscher worked a lot on her offensive game in the paint. She is already a strong 3-point shooter and defender, so this summer was focused a lot on the offensive game close to the rim. That includes both finishing at the rim and being able to kick the ball out to the perimeter if necessary.

Fulscher’s basketball-filled summer is close to over, but the club season proved to be important and beneficial. The Firebirds are hoping for a step forward after tough seasons of development shrouded by losses. As much as the team will work on execution of plays in various game situations, the little things that stood out to Fulscher about the big tournament teams in Chicago can make as much of an impact. The high-fives and courtside camaraderie have proven to make as much of an impact as anything else for the team’s success.