Scoring 12 unanswered points to start off the game, the Free State girls basketball team beat cross-town rival Lawrence High School 60-51 Friday, Feb. 28. The Firebirds led by around 10 points most of regulation.

At halftime, the Firebirds were up 26-16 and continued to run the court during the second half of the game up to the final buzzer.

During the Free State’s boys game, the opposite occurred. After leading 2-0 at the beginning, the Firebirds trailed for the remainder of the match-up and lost to the Lions 61-68.

The Lions led the Firebirds 33-28 at the end of the first half, but in the third quarter, senior Cole Moreano hit a string of three point baskets to tie the game at 45 raising the Firebirds’ and their fans’ spirits.

Although the Lions allowed the Firebirds to tie the game once and come close several more times, a series of key steals by the Lions at the end of the fourth quarter kept the Firebirds from winning the rivalry contest.

While both sides celebrated victory and suffered defeat at their rival’s hands on Friday, both Free State and LHS wore “Making Miracles For Madison” t-shirts, supporting Free State freshman Madison Bruhns in her fight against cancer. While the typical rival banter remained, the schools came together to support a common cause.