photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State boys basketball head coach Dwayne Paul gives a speech to the team during a timeout at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams makes a gesture on the bench after a teammate scored a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett shoots a jumper in the paint at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Jadon Clock attempts to find a teammate to pass to at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bennett Nagel draws a foul and shoots over Shawnee Mission East defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin shoots at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams shoots a 3-pointer while the Free State bench cheers at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams avoids the block and jumps for the shot in the paint at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett shoots over the Shawnee Mission East defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bennett Nagel shoots a free throw at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ethan Prescott gets blocked attempting a layup at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett drives past the Shawnee Mission East defense in the paint at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Taylor Hulcher passes the ball to a teammate in the paint at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Morgan McClorey shoots a hook shot past the Lancers’ defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Taylor Hulcher drives past the Lancers’ defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Taylor Hulcher prepares to shoot a free throw at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior forward Sarai Preston watches her shot after a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior guard Libby Easter shoots a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State girls basketball team celebrates on the bench after Sarai Preston hit a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior guard Mallary Hice drives past the Lancers’ defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Quinlynn Vail shoots above the Lancers’ defense at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Quinlynn Vail shoots a 3-pointer at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Morgan McClorey dribbles forward at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Quinlynn Vail greets her coach during player introductions at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman guard Quinlynn Vail runs out and greets her coaches and teammates during player introductions at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.