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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin goes up for a layup after receiving contact during the Firebirds' game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

Gardner — Free State basketball returned to Sunflower League action at Gardner Edgerton on Friday, with the girls team losing and the boys coming away victorious.

The Firebird girls (3-5) struggled to keep pace with the Trailblazers in the second and fourth quarters en route to a 61-29 defeat.

“We started off really well, we started off making shots,” Free State girls head coach Summer Frantz said. “We talk all the time about how our energy and our offense has to feed off our defense and not the other way around. I thought we kind of got fatigued there and we stopped making shots.”

Free State’s offense got off to a quick start, with freshman Quinlynn Vail and senior Addie Fulscher each hitting 3s in the opening minute of the game to take a 6-2 lead.

A 7-0 run by the Trailblazers made it a 9-6 game before the Firebirds eventually scored five straight with a 3-pointer by Fulscher and a layup by junior Sarai Preston to take a 13-11 lead. Gardner Edgerton scored the next four points before Fulscher scored the quarter’s final bucket with 28 seconds remaining to make the score 15-15 going into the second.

“I thought the first quarter we came out really well,” Frantz said. “We were executing our game plan.”

Turnovers were costly for Free State in the second quarter, as the Firebirds committed six in the frame, while being held scoreless the entire period. During that time, Gardner Edgerton scored 14 points to take a 29-15 advantage going into halftime.

“We got stagnant in our offense,” Frantz said of what changed in the second quarter. “We talked about how that’s easy to guard. We were pretty easy to guard in the second quarter.”

The Trailblazers made two buckets to begin the second half before the Firebirds got back into the scoring column with a 3-pointer by Vail. Later on in the quarter, Vail scored four straight points to cut the deficit down to 12 and hit another 3-pointer to make it 39-27 before Gardner Edgerton ended the quarter with six straight points to lead 45-27.

Free State struggled to get back into an offensive rhythm in the final quarter, with its lone points in the period coming on free throws by junior Aedri Grooms. By that point, Gardner Edgerton had forced a running clock and scored the final two points of the game on a layup.

Frantz said that games like this can be frustrating, especially with the progress the team has made since the beginning of the season.

“Growth isn’t just linear, and there’s ups and downs, but as long as we’re trending in the right direction, that’s what matters,” Frantz said. “And we know we are.”

Free State’s boys team came away with a 58-49 win over Gardner Edgerton, taking the lead late in the second quarter and never looking back.

“We stuck to the game plan, we continued just being patient,” coach Dwayne Paul said. “We got back to playing defense how we play. I was happy about that. Ultimately, it’s one of those games that it doesn’t matter how you win as long as you win.”

After scoring six early points, the Firebirds’ offense slowed down and the defense was affected by the cold spell, allowing the Traiblazers to lead by as many as seven points in the first quarter.

Sophomore Brendan Barrett cut the deficit to four with a 3-pointer before a free throw by Gardner Edgerton made the score 18-13 in favor of the hosts after one period.

Sophomore Brayden DeBruin provided a spark to start the second period, scoring Free State’s first seven points to tie the score at 20.

“He just played aggressive,” Paul said. “I was happy for him to see some success.”

Both defenses struggled the remainder of the half as both teams traded buckets. Seniors Jadon Clock and Bennett Nagel teamed up for five straight points late in the quarter to give the Firebirds a 33-30 advantage, and after a Trailbrazer field goal, Barrett closed out the first half scoring with two free throws to make the score 35-32 at halftime.

Free State was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and 3-for-3 on 3-pointers in the second quarter, while not giving Gardner Edgerton many free possessions, committing just one turnover.

Paul said the key to the offense getting going in the second quarter was the play of the defense, ultimately helping the flow of the offense.

Added Paul: “No team in the country, high school or college, can be able to be their best offensive self if they’re taking the ball out of the basket every time.”

Senior Ethan Prescott scored on a reverse layup for the Firebirds’ first points of the second half before both teams went scoreless for nearly four minutes.

Nagel finally broke the dry spell but got quickly countered with a 3-pointer by Gardner Edgerton to cut the Free State lead to four. The Firebirds pushed their advantage out to nine at the end of the quarter thanks to a 3-pointer by Barrett and a pair of free throws by Prescott.

The Firebirds pushed their lead to 13 to open the fourth courtesy of a 3-pointer by Prescott, and continued to limit the Trailblazers’ offense in another low-scoring period, doing enough damage at the free-throw line to hold on to the 58-49 win and improve to 5-4 on the year.

Both Free State teams will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting Olathe North.

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

The Free State girls basketball team huddles during the game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State’s Addie Fulscher, left, and Quinlynn Vail slap hands during the game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey fights for a rebound during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail attempts to block a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey looks to the basket during a game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Libby Easter looks to keep the ball moving during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher drives into the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston takes an open layup during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey looks to attack the paint during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher shoots during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail looks to get past her defender during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey defends against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey high-fives referees prior to the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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 Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel sneaks across the baseline during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott shoots a three-pointer during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett rises up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State freshman Packson McDaniel charges down the court during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott goes through his free throw routine during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel keeps his eyes on the basket as he shoots a three during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State sophomores Jayden Williams (1) and Brendan Barrett come back onto the court after a timeout in the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin fires a three during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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 Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock fights for position during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

The Free State boys basketball team huddles during a break in the action of the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock looks for an open teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner.