photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Chloe Clossen shoots a 3-pointer over an Olathe East defender on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

Olathe — The Free State boys and girls basketball teams each hit the road for a second straight game, taking on the Olathe East Hawks. Both squads fell, as the girls lost 67-25, and the boys were defeated 45-33.

Firebird girls fall behind early in defeat to Hawks

Both Free State and Olathe East looked to push the pace early by deploying full-court presses. It worked in the favor of the Hawks, who forced early turnovers and turned them into 12 early points in the paint, getting out to a 13-2 lead.

Senior Chloe Clossen scored the first nine points for the Firebirds and at one point scored seven straight on her own, helping to close the deficit to 13-10. Olathe East continued to find easy layups and held a 19-11 lead after the first quarter.

Clossen scored all of her team-high nine points in the opening quarter.

“That was great to see Chloe hit some big shots,” Free State head coach Summer Frantz said. “She’s battled for four years so it’s really good to see her get some.”

The Olathe East press continued to stifle the Free State offense in press-break situations, leading to easy scores inside. Foul trouble also became a factor for the Firebirds, as the Hawks were able to force a lot of and-1 opportunities while taking a 45-11 lead at halftime.

The Hawks did not let up in the third, getting easy baskets through layups or mid-range jumpers, and hit a few 3-pointers towards the end of the quarter.

Free State played a much more aggressive period as well, fighting for loose balls and earning trips to the free-throw line, getting a pair of makes from both freshman Marlea Copeland and sophomore Mallary Hice.

Following a strong finish to the third quarter, the Firebirds continued their momentum in the fourth by being the aggressor on the glass, leading to a 10-1 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks were able to close out the 67-25 win.

Frantz said that she spoke to her team in the locker room about the fourth-quarter effort, and although she liked what she saw in the final period, she wants to see that same energy and competitiveness for all four quarters.

The Firebirds will host Wyandotte on Thursday at 7 p.m.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Addie Fulscher attempts a pull-up jumper against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Addie Fulscher defends against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Peyton Moore works towards the basket against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Addie Fulscher drives past an Olathe East defender on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Marlea Copeland drives past an Olathe East defender on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

Free State boys can’t keep pace in 12-point defeat

Despite an impressive defensive effort from the Free State boys, the offense came at a premium as the Firebirds fell, 45-33.

“I thought that we rotated and we played with intensity really, really well,” head coach Dwayne Paul said. “I thought we were physical at the point of attack, I thought our rotations were great. We’re right there, and I’m super proud of that.”

The Firebirds were without senior point guard Korbin Dowdell, and while the team missed his offensive contributions, Paul said his team still played with intensity throughout the night.

Both squads got out to fast starts, as Free State held an 8-5 advantage in the early minutes thanks to 3-pointers by senior AJ Eason and junior Bennett Nagel. After Olathe East took its first lead of the game at 12-10, freshman Brendan Barrett hit a mid-range jumper to tie the score at 12 at the end of the first quarter.

Neither team could generate any offense in the second quarter, although the Firebirds got off to a promising start by scoring the first four points of the quarter. The Hawks were able to turn the Firebirds over and force difficult shots, while going on an 11-0 run over the final six minutes to take a 23-16 halftime lead.

The third quarter was an offensive slugfest for both teams. Neither team converted at a high clip, but Olathe East was able to hit shots when they mattered most, leading 34-23 going into the fourth.

Junior Ethan Prescott played an impressive second half, scoring seven points in the third quarter, and all of his nine in the second half.

“That’s what Prescott does. What he’s done ever since I’ve been here, it doesn’t surprise me,” Paul said. “That’s the Ethan Prescott game. Next week, on Thursday, another Ethan Prescott game. Another physical game that we got to be ready to go out and play.”

The Firebirds failed to generate a comeback, getting good looks late but well after the Hawks had extended their lead. Olathe East opened the quarter on an 8-2 run, stalling the Free State momentum for good.

The Free State boys will travel to McPherson for the McPherson Invitational. The Firebirds will take on Sunflower League opponent Shawnee Mission East on Thursday at 6:10 p.m.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Bennett Nagel blows past an Olathe East defender on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Alphonso Eason defends against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Bennett Nagel celebrates after a basket against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Alphonso Eason makes a 3-pointer against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Olathe.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Cecil Christwell makes a tough layup against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Olathe.