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

Free State senior Libby Easter celebrates during the Firebirds' game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

It was an eventful night at Free State High School on Friday as the Firebirds girls basketball team knocked off Olathe East, 50-48, while the boys team lost to the Hawks 51-38.

In a chaotic turn of events, the Free State girls team came back from a 12-point second-half deficit to take down Olathe East and improve to 4-6, marking its first win in Sunflower League play.

“We just talked about how we didn’t play particularly well the whole game, but we just stayed together, and we just kept chipping away at it,” head coach Summer Frantz said. “I thought we were the tougher team down the stretch.”

The Firebirds got off to a slow start offensively, not scoring until over four minutes into the game when freshman Morgan McClorey made two free throws. By that point, the Hawks held a 7-2 lead and had forced multiple Firebird turnovers.

Following the free throws, Free State deployed a full-court press, as Olathe East was content with keeping possessions low and wasting time within each possession. Because of the Hawks’ game plan, Frantz chose to press as a way to speed the Hawks up.

“I was really, really proud of them,” Frantz said. “That’s not something that we do a lot, and that’s not something we’re going to do a lot, but for this game, it’s what we needed to win.”

Back-to-back scores by freshman Quinlynn Vail, including a 3-pointer, cut the deficit to 9-7 before Olathe East scored the final three points of the quarter to take a 12-7 lead.

McClorey began the second quarter with a layup to cut the Hawks’ lead to three before six straight points by the visitors made it an 18-9 score.

Following another bucket by McClorey, a 3-pointer by Olathe East made it a 10-point game before senior Addie Fulscher scored her first four points of the game in a row to cut the deficit back to six. Both teams scored one last field goal, including a McClorey layup with 24 seconds left to make the halftime total 23-17 in favor of the Hawks.

Vail continued the momentum into the second half with a layup eight seconds into the third quarter before a 5-0 run made it a nine-point Olathe East lead. The Hawks stretched their lead out to as many as 12 points before a free throw by freshman Taylor Hulcher made it 39-28 at the conclusion of the third quarter.

Three 3-pointers to begin the quarter were all the momentum the Firebirds needed offensively to get back in the game, but they still trailed by nine as the defense couldn’t find a stop in response.

McClorey sparked the comeback with a layup as Free State was able to get stops defensively, and an intentional foul by Olathe East completely turned the tide, resulting in a four-point swing to give the Firebirds their first lead of the game.

After another free throw, Olathe East got a wide-open layup to fall with 11 seconds left, before McClorey was fouled in the bonus with 4.3 seconds left. McClorey buried both foul shots and finished with a game-high 24 points while carrying the offense down the stretch.

“Just be calm,” McClorey said on what was going through her head during the free throws. “I’ve worked so hard to get to this point in my career.”

Following the free throws, the Firebirds got the subsequent stop to end the game and hang on to the comeback victory.

“I’m just so proud of every single person in that locker room,” Frantz said. “I’m so proud of Addie and Libby (Easter), our seniors. They’ve been through a lot the last three years, so to see them get one, I just couldn’t be happier for them.”

The Firebird boys didn’t have the same fortune as the girls, falling to the Hawks in a defensive slugfest.

The loss is the second straight for Free State after falling to Olathe North on Tuesday.

“Our confidence is down, our swag is down,” Firebird boys head coach Dwayne Paul said. “You’re going to lose some games, you’re going to win some games, like it is what it is… Tonight was the epitome of turning one into two.”

Senior Bennett Nagel was a bright spot, leading the team in scoring with 18 points as the only Firebird to finish in double figures, which Paul said it was good to see his senior guard get going and build some confidence.

Both teams struggled early, turning the ball over often. Despite committing three fewer turnovers, the Firebirds trailed 8-6 thanks to a buzzer-beater by the Hawks.

For the game, Free State committed 19 turnovers. Paul credited Olathe East for making repeated efforts and winning 50/50 balls.

Sophomore Brayden DeBruin made Free State’s first 3-pointer of the game, but turnovers continued to pile up, allowing Olathe East to hold an 18-12 lead.

A 6-2 run by Free State allowed the deficit to remain manageable by the end of the half, as the Hawks maintained a 26-21 advantage.

The turnover issue for the Firebirds continued into the second half, allowing the Hawks to open the third frame on an 8-0 spurt that finally ended on a layup by Nagel.

Nagel hit back-to-back 3s, and senior Jadon Clock scored a bucket towards the end of the quarter to pull Free State within single digits going into the fourth, still trailing 42-33.

The Firebirds’ offensive struggles remained consistent in the fourth, as they couldn’t string together enough buckets in the final period, allowing the Hawks to hang on for the win.

The girls team will return to action on Thursday at Wyandotte, while the boys team will be in McPherson Thursday through Saturday for the McPherson Invitational.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel goes up for a basket during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock skips a pass to a teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett gets into his defensive stance during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brayden DeBruin looks for options as he drives into the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Jadon Clock brings the ball down the court during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel (11) and sophomore Jayden Williams keep their hands up during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel shoots a three-pointer during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett loads up to shoot a three during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Jayden Williams sneaks around for a rebound during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott takes a breather before shooting a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Bennett Nagel looks to get past his defender during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Ethan Prescott goes up strong to the hoop during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Brendan Barrett drives into the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail celebrates at the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State huddles during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston prepares to box out during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher shoots free throws during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State players battle for a loose ball during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher goes for a scoop shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher brings the ball up during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Libby Easter fires off a three during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher looks for help on the baseline during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Libby Easter points to a teammate after recording an assist during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher brings the ball past halfcourt during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher pulls up from the free throw line during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail passes to a teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey goes up for a layup during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey puts up a shot during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State girls basketball team huddles on the court during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Mallary Hice looks for an open teammate during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Addie Fulscher makes her way past a defender during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State’s Libby Easter, Addie Fulscher, and Mallary Hice (left to right) wait to check in during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Taylor Hulcher drives to the lane during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey takes a free throw during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Morgan McClorey drives past defenders during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State freshman Quinlynn Vail chases down a loose ball during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe East on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.