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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail attempts to get past a defender during the Firebirds' game against Atchison on Friday, Dec. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

Atchison — Despite not having played in 14 days, the Free State girls basketball team quickly shook off any possible rust and maintained full control on the road against Atchison on Friday night.

The Firebirds (3-4) trailed by three just a few minutes in, but quickly turned the tide and defeated the Phoenix in blowout fashion, 65-40.

“Honestly, I think it was really needed, and I think everyone was ready for it,” freshman Quinlynn Vail said. “We came out with a hot start, and we just never let off the gas. We just kept pushing.”

Vail finished the win with a game-high 19 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep. Head coach Summer Frantz said what was most impressive about Vail’s performance was her ability to recognize when she had a mismatch and use her skill set to take advantage of it.

“It’s good to see Quin coming into her own and being aggressive,” Frantz said.

In total, Free State placed four scorers in double figures, including Vail, joined by a pair of freshmen in Taylor Hulcher (14 points) and Morgan McClorey (11 points), along with senior Addie Fulscher who chipped in 10.

With seven games under their belt, the expectation moving forward from the freshmen is consistent improvement every day, which paid dividends against the Phoenix.

“(They need to) keep the same intensity in practice,” Frantz said, “and then to come into their own in terms of their voices and being leaders, we’re always waiting for them to keep taking those steps.”

Another key performance in the win was that of forward Sarai Preston, who Frantz says goes “unrecognized” for her ability to be impactful on the glass. Preston missed the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission West on Dec. 19 with an ankle sprain, but returned in the win on Friday and kept Atchison’s 6-foot forward Kaiya Downing off the glass, allowing for the guards to grab rebounds and push the tempo.

“I think she’s just one of those players that does the dirty work, and I think her teammates see it, but maybe a lot of other people don’t necessarily see it, until you know she’s gone,” Frantz said.

The Firebirds opened the game by connecting from distance with three 3-pointers, with the third coming from Fulscher for a 9-6 lead, which the team didn’t relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Out of a timeout called by Atchison, Free State ended the quarter on an 8-2 run, forcing multiple live-ball turnovers and converting high-percentage shots at the rim, culminating in a 17-8 lead after the first quarter.

A big emphasis from the coaching staff was to play with pace and urgency on the offensive end, which was evident in the first quarter and continued to be the difference throughout the game, and will be a key factor moving forward, as well.

“We really talked about looking to get out and go in transition and seeing if we have something that we can get, but if not, making sure we’re not settling and getting great shots,” Frantz said. “I really loved how we were sharing the ball… I thought a lot of times we gave up a good shot to get a great shot, and it’s really nice to see us make the extra pass and be just as excited for our teammate to hit the shot as if we hit the shot ourselves.”

Vail added that even if a shot missed, the focus for the players was to keep their mindset positive and continue to make the extra pass if it was available.

Vail extended the lead to double-figures 16 seconds into the third quarter, before both teams entered a near two-minute scoreless drought which was ended on a bucket by Atchison’s Alondra Herrera, cutting the Firebird lead back to nine with 5:51 remaining.

Free State regained its offensive momentum and created easy baskets, forcing an Atchison timeout after a swing pass from Morgan McClorey to Addi Hothan resulted in a layup to cap off a 7-0 run, leading 26-10.

The Phoenix made a few buckets in the final minutes of the first half, but each one was matched by a score for the Firebirds, including two 3-pointers in the final minute by Vail that made the score 34-17 at the break.

The offensive momentum came to a halt to start the second half, with just two points scored by the Firebirds at the midway point of the quarter. A 3-pointer by Fulscher was just enough to get Free State going, as it outscored Atchison 13-2 from that point on to lead 49-24 heading into the fourth.

An alley-oop layup by Vail and two buckets from McClorey put the Firebirds ahead by 30 points, initiating a running clock the rest of the way.

The two teams traded buckets down the stretch as Hulcher carried the load for Free State, scoring eight points and making two 3s in the final period to help the Firebirds hang on to the win.

They will look to continue their momentum as they jump back into league play next Friday, visiting Gardner Edgerton. That matchup will be a doubleheader, with the girls beginning the twinbill at 5:30 p.m.

“I think this game will push us forward as we go on, and make us a lot better,” Vail said. “Coming off a big win for our next game will be good.”

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher fights for position during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Dec. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State sophomore Addi Hothan goes up for a rebound during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher shoots a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail attacks the basket during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State senior Libby Easter skips a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail shoots a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey storms down the court during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State junior Mallary Hice leads the fast break down the court after recording a steal in the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey works her way to the basket during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail shoots a 3-pointer during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher looks for options during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston goes to tip off the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.

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

Free State head coach Summer Frantz speaks with her team prior to the Firebirds’ game against Atchison on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Atchison High School in Atchison.