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

Free State junior Sarai Preston comes up with the ball after diving onto the floor during the Firebirds' game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel defends an inbound pass late in the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State head coach Dwayne Paul calls out a play to his team during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel (left) helps up sophomore Brendan Barrett during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel celebrates on the sideline during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brenden Barrett pulls up for a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett drives to the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel watches a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State bench celebrates a basket during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel brings the ball past halfcourt during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Owen Garber goes up for a contested shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott looks for space during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin completes an and-1 during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State associate head coach Lane Shows (left) and Brenden Barrett share a chat on the sideline during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin yells in celebration after being fouled during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel shoots a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel goes up for a strong block during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel passes across the baseline during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State seniors Ethan Prescott (2) and Bennett Nagel share a chat while heading back onto the court during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett rises up for a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott fades away while putting up a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel loads to shoot a 3-pointer during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel dives on the floor for a loose ball during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams skips a pass to a teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel goes up for a floater during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett looks for an open teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State boys basketball team huddles prior to the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Aedri Grooms takes the ball forward during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Mallary Hice attempts a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Mallary Hice attempts a contested shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail goes around a screen from teammate Mallary Hice during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Addi Hothan defends during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher looks to make a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Addie Fulscher defends during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail attempts a floater during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher sets a screen during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston looks for space during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey goes around a screen during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail dribbles the ball forward during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey shoots a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey looks for an angle to take a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail takes a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail looks for options as she brings the ball down the court during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey is fouled while splitting defenders during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Libby Easter fights for position during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey blows past her defender during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey is fouled going up for a layup the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher crosses over her dribble during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State girls basketball team huddles prior to the Firebirds’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.