Eighth-grade basketball improves despite struggles

By Andy Brown
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Updated: March 15, 2016

Louisburg eighth-grader Garrett Rolofson tries to drive past a Spring Hill defender during a home game earlier this season. The Wildcats ended their season with pair of losses against Baldwin and Eudora on Feb. 27.

The Louisburg Middle School eighth-grade boys basketball team didn’t have the season it had hoped for when it came to victories.

The Wildcats ended their season on Feb. 27 when they traveled to Eudora for a triangular with Baldwin. Louisburg left still looking for its first win of the season as it fell 45-29 to Eudora and 52-42 to Baldwin.

Although the Wildcats didn’t taste victory this season, Louisburg coach John Reece believes his team came a long way throughout the year.

“We did have a rough season in the wins column but it was not from a lack of hard work,” Reece said. “We needed about two more weeks and I know we would have gotten a win. The boys worked very hard all season and were very dedicated to the team.

“I feel that as a middle school coach you do not base your season on wins and losses, but in preparing them for the transition to high school and I feel we accomplished this task. If they keep playing basketball at LHS they will bring with them a team concept and a positive work ethic that will find them being very competitive at the next level.”

Louisburg’s Madden Rutherford drives the lane for a shot during a home game earlier this season.

The Wildcats looked like they were going to get that first win against Baldwin thanks to a big second quarter. Louisburg trailed 20-11 after the first quarter, but outscored Baldwin 21-8 in the second to take a 32-28 halftime lead.

Louisburg struggled to find much rhythm offensively in the third quarter as Baldwin outscored the Wildcats 15-4 to pull away for good.

The Wildcats got a big game from Madden Rutherford and Michael Waldron as each scored in double figures to keep Louisburg close. Rutherford scored a game-high 18 points and Waldron added 17 points to go along with three 3-pointers.

Against Eudora, Louisburg once again had a halftime lead with a chance at its first win.

The Wildcats trailed 10-9 after the first quarter, but outscored Eudora 12-6 in the second to take a 21-16 advantage at halftime. Eudora caught fire in the second half as it outscored Louisburg 29-8 to knock off the Wildcats.

Rutherford led Louisburg in scoring with nine points, while Brayden White and Charlie Koontz each finished with four points in the loss.

Playing for the Wildcats on varsity this season were Calvin Dillon, Garrett Rolofson, Charlie Koontz, Thomas Arnett, Michael Waldron, Madden Rutherford, Brayden White, Landon Johnson and Garrett Harding.

Playing for the Louisburg junior varsity were Kaden Oehlert, Trent Martin, Dalton Hilt, Tyler Shaffer, David Perentis, Andrew Krause, Ryan Haight, Drake Varns, Tanner Sturm, Deven Wieland, Indy Strumillo, Dane Dixon and Carter Anglin.