Prep Notebook: FSHS wrestlers take on Dodge City in a home doubleheader; FSHS, LHS win first regular season rings

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Grayson Hagen tackles Dodge City’s Emanuel Quezada during the home doubleheader Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Free State High School.

Coming off a first-round win, the Free State boys team cruised to a 54-24 victory over Dodge City in Friday night’s home doubleheader.

The win marks another step forward for the Firebirds, including a first-place finish at the Leavenworth Challenger last weekend.

The night featured seven total pins for the Firebirds, the first coming from Cole Wright (165 pounds) in a 3-0 decision over Dodge City’s Cristian Barrientos. FSHS sophomore Zane Shaw (175 pounds) and junior Blaine Larkin (215 pounds) carried the momentum to a 3-2 lead against the Red Demons heading into the second round.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior D’onte Goodman tackles Dodge City’s Gabriel Aguilera during a home game on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Free State High School.

Arguably the biggest win of the night came from FSHS junior Preston White (132 pounds), who defeated Dodge City’s Dylan Wainscott in a 3-0 decision to cap off the night. FSHS head coach Randy Streeter said White’s win was a big confidence boost for the team.

“That was a big deal,” Streeter said. “(White) holding Dylan was really cool to see.”

The two matches were closed by junior Grayson Hagen (150 pounds) pinning Emanuel Quezada of Dodge City 12-4 to seal the victory for the team. FSHS freshman Michael (Tosh) Hernandez (106 pounds) and junior Brayden Wilcox (113 pounds) also joined Hagen in the winner’s circle.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Preston White is announced as the winner after defeating Dodge City’s Dylan Wainscott in the 132-pound match during the home doubleheader Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Free State High School.

Four Firebirds — junior Gabe Swoyer (157 pounds), freshman Zander Swoyer (285 pounds), junior Drew Streeter (126 pounds) and senior D’onte Goodman (144 pounds) — suffered losses Friday night.

Randy Streeter said there is still a learning curve for this young FSHS team.

“We’re growing,” Streeter said. “You just looked at 13 underclassmen and one senior … it’s not a big tank of gas. It’s going to fix itself over time on the mat.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State freshman Michael (Tosh) Hernandez pins Dodge City’s Finn Martinez during a home game on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Free State High School.

Free State will travel to Blue Valley High for the BV Classic on December 15th.

LHS’ Honas, Elsten was positioned for a strong finish at the Eagle wrestling invitational

The Lawrence High wrestling team is set for a strong finish at the Eagle Invitational in Colby, with the final round set for Saturday. Two Chesty Lions — senior Andrew Honas (6-0) and sophomore Lou Elsten (5-0) — are undefeated heading into the final round.

Honas (132 pounds) topped Lexington High’s Jayden Thorell by technical fall, then defeated Philipsburg’s Gavin Driggs and Wichita West’s Gauge Evans by fall to advance without injury.

Elsten (113 pounds) opened the day defeating Isaias Giron of Lexington by fall, and entered the third round on a two-fight losing streak.

LHS will conclude its tournament Saturday at the Colby Events Center.

LHS, FSSH earn first hoops win of regular season

The Lawrence High and Free State boys basketball teams each picked up their first wins of the regular season Friday afternoon.

In Stilwell, LHS bounced back with a 67-37 win over Wyandotte High in the seventh-place game in the Blue Valley-Rick Taylor Shootout. Led by senior Zaxton King’s 20 points, LHS outplayed the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor.

“This was a great team win for us,” first-year LHS head coach Nick Wood said. “It is important for us to get success and win the basketball game. Those guys have been working hard and I feel like they’re starting to understand themselves as a (team) and what kind of effort it’s going to take to help us be successful.”

And it was a team effort. Junior Aden Ramirez and sophomore Josh Galbreath finished the night with nine points apiece. Ramirez was the most productive Lion behind the line, using 3 seconds before the end of the game.

Next up, LHS will host Shawnee Mission East next Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm

On the FSHS side, the Firebirds (1-2) defeated Topeka-Washburn Rural 42-33 in the final round of the seventh-place tournament at the Varsity Classic in Prairie Village.

Despite the low final score, FSHS had several offensive contributors including seniors Wesley Edison and Dash Johnson, who finished with seven and six points, respectively, in the Firebirds’ first win of the 2023-24 campaign.

Additionally, sophomore Hueston Saunders scored eight points to help Free State to a victory at Shawnee Mission East High School Friday afternoon, as the Firebirds’ strong defense put them in position to knock off the No. 1 Blues.

“I think it will show that we can be a dangerous team,” FSHS coach Dwayne Paul said. “We present some problems to other teams and that makes me happy. I don’t think we have people who care who leads in scoring if we have more points than the other team and that’s a credit to these kids and their buy-in.”

FSHS will host Shawnee Mission West next Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm

O-South hands the LHS girls their first loss at home

In the Sunflower League championship game, the Lawrence High girls basketball team dropped its first home opener 58-30 to Olathe South on Friday night.

O-South freshman Eve Long chipped in with 23 points, helping the Falcons (1-0) outscore the Chesty Lions (1-1) in the second half. Leading LHS scoring, junior Brynnae Johnson finished the night with 15 points, including one of the Lions’ three 3-pointers.

Seniors Emma Roman Nose, Azura Clark and freshman Cami Nauholz paced the LHS offense with four points apiece. Senior Destiny Savanah scored 3 goals for LHS.

LHS will host Blue Valley West next Tuesday at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm