O’Keefe’s 18 points lifts Lady Cats

By Andy Brown
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Updated: February 24, 2015

Louisburg senior Kallie O’Keefe scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the Lady Cats’ 52-36 victory over Spring Hill on Friday.

SPRING HILL — The Louisburg girls basketball team picked the right time to flip the switch as it was in danger of losing its second straight game.

The Lady Cats put together a big fourth quarter Friday in Spring Hill as they outscored the Broncos by 14 points in the frame and ended up cruising to a 52-36 victory. Senior Natalie Moore hit a shot at the buzzer to end the third quarter to help set up the final push.

“Natalie’s shot at the buzzer to end the third quarter seemed to give us some good momentum to start the fourth,” Louisburg coach Shawn Lowry said. “We pushed the tempo more in that final quarter and some of the younger players made some plays for us.”

Spring Hill had a tough time containing forward Kallie O’Keefe as she made impacts on both ends of the floor. The Louisburg senior finished with a game-high 18 points and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds. O’Keefe also had two steals to add to her line.

“Kallie was active in the offense and the others did a good job of getting her the ball in good positions,” coach Lowry said.

The Lady Cats (10-8) took a 25-20 lead into halftime before Spring Hill made a mini run. The Broncos eventually tied the game at 32-all before Moore’s shot at the buzzer gave Louisburg the lead and the momentum back. Louisburg outscored Spring Hill 18-4 in the final quarter.

Moore had another solid game at both ends of the floor for Louisburg as she was second on the team in scoring with 15 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds.

Louisburg also got good production from its underclassmen as junior Megan Lemke was second on the team with seven rebounds and five points. Sophomores Paige Buffington and Emalee Overbay also scored some crucial baskets for the Lady Cats and each had four points.

“It’s always good to get wins as we get closer to the end of the regular season,” coach Lowry said. It’s also a challenge preparing and playing against a team that we could see in a couple of weeks in substate.”

Spring Hill, along with Paola and Fort Scott, will join Louisburg in substate action in two weeks and the Lady Cats will see another one of those opponents later this week.

Louisburg will host Paola on Friday for senior night after the Lady Cats nearly knocked off the unbeaten and No. 2-ranked team in Class 4A, Division I earlier this month. It will be the final time Moore, O’Keefe and Kirstin Lowry play in front of their home crowd.

Tonight, the Lady Cats will also try for another revenge victory when they travel to De Soto. Tipoff is set for approximately 6 p.m.

“This week gives us an opportunity to play two very good teams and obviously Paola that has yet to be beaten and is someone we hope to have a chance to play in substate,” coach Lowry said. “More importantly, this week is the final time that our three seniors will play on their home court. We know De Soto will be another tough game tonight but it’s another opportunity to help prepare us for the postseason.”

LOUISBURG 10 15 9 18 – 52

SPRING HILL 8 12 12 4 – 36

LOUISBURG (10-8): Kallie O’Keefe 7-10 4-9 18; Natalie Moore 5-13 5-6 15; Megan Lemke 1-2 3-4 5; Paige Buffington 2-5 0-0 4; Emalee Overbay 2-2 0-0 4; Kirstin Lowry 1-8 0-0 3; Madisen Simpson 1-7 0-0 3. Totals: 19-47 12-19 52. 3-point field goals: 2, (Simpson, Lowry)