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

Free State freshman Marlea Copeland battles Highland Park players during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

Topeka — The Free State girls basketball team got off to a fast start and led after the first quarter but fell behind and couldn’t recover, falling to Highland Park in the seventh-place game of the Capital City Classic, 60-39 on Saturday morning at Topeka West High School.

“They started hitting some shots, and then they went on a run in the second quarter, and then we just kind of let it snowball,” Free State head coach Summer Frantz said. “It’s a little bit disappointing because we’ve gotten a lot better at responding to other teams’ runs. We didn’t respond the way we have the past two days.”

The Firebirds were led in scoring by senior Chloe Clossen who made three 3s for nine points. Junior Addie Fulscher and freshman Marlea Copeland added seven and six points, respectively.

Free State came out strong following an emotional loss to Shawnee Mission West on Friday afternoon. The Firebirds made two early 3-pointers to take an early 6-2 advantage. Highland Park fought back and took a 9-8 lead before a 5-0 run behind a 3-pointer by Clossen and a mid-range shot from Fulscher as time was winding down gave the Firebirds a 13-9 lead after the first.

Frantz said the 3s helped with momentum and getting out to a quick start.

After a field goal by Copeland gave Free State a six-point advantage, turnovers started to play a key role. The Scots use a fast-paced style of play, pressing often, which led to nine Firebird turnovers in the second quarter.

“We knew going in that their game plan was going to be to speed us up,” Frantz said. “We talked about dictating the pace and not letting them speed us up too much.We definitely got too sped up and anytime you have 38 turnovers, it’s going to be tough.”

The defense for Highland Park led to an offensive burst, as Free State struggled to slow down the hot-shooting Scots, who made five 3s in the quarter and took a 32-19 lead into the locker room.

Out of the break, the Scots extended their lead with a 9-0 run. Highland Park continued to dictate the pace and didn’t allow Free State to get back in the game, forcing 12 turnovers, the most the Firebirds committed in any quarter. The Firebirds remained without a field goal until Fulscher made a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining in the quarter, as Highland Park led 46-23 going into the fourth.

The Firebirds looked to have regrouped in the fourth quarter, getting 3-pointers from Clossen and junior Libby Easter to start the final period. A bright spot for the Firebirds was the depth of the bench, as freshmen Addison Hothan and Zay Jones, along with sophomores Aedri Grooms and Mallary Hice, combined for the final 10 points for the Firebirds.

“We knew that they would get after it again,” Frantz said. “We see it every day in practice, so it’s cool to see them be able to get in there and have an impact.”

The Scots, led by senior Pearmella Carter who scored a game-high 18 points, were efficient in getting easy baskets in the fourth quarter and junior Korlalee Jones finished the game with two points at the free-throw line for the Scots.

The Firebirds will return home on Tuesday, hosting Olathe Northwest. The start time on Tuesday is set for 5:30 p.m.

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

Free State senior Chloe Clossen makes a move against Highland Park during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

Free State sophomore Peyton Moore dribbles the ball ahead against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Addie Fulscher slices through the Highland Park defense during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

Free State freshman Marlea Copeland grabs a rebound over a Highland Park player during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

Free State sophomore Peyton Moore slips past a Highland Park defender during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

Free State sophomore Sarai Preston works down low against a Highland Park defender on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the Capital City Classic in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Libby Easter looks to for an open teammate to inbound the ball to against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the Capital City Classic in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Addie Fulscher slices through the Highland Park defense during the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

Free State sophomore Sarai Preston lays out for a loose ball against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the Capital City Classic in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Addie Fulscher grabs the ball on the floor against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

Free State senior Chloe Clossen waits for an open teammate to inbound the ball to against Highland Park in the Capital City Classic in Topeka on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

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

The Free State girls basketball team huddles after taking a timeout against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the Capital City Classic in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Addie Fulscher looks for options against the Highland Park defense on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the Capital City Classic in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Sarai Preston battles down low against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Addie Fulscher dribbles ahead against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

Free State freshman Marlea Copeland makes a move against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

Free State freshman Marlea Copeland goes up for the jump ball against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.

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

The Free State girls basketball team huddles at the game against Highland Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Topeka.