Wildcats continue winning ways with victory over Baldwin

Junior Julian Margrave looks to haul in a pass in front of the basket Friday against Baldwin.

BALDWIN CITY – January certainly has presented its fair share of challenges for the Louisburg boys basketball team.

The Wildcats started off their season with three games in a row on the road, including last Friday’s game at Baldwin. This week, Louisburg is also playing three games at the Baldwin Invitational and the Wildcats wont’t play their first home game of 2021 until late this month.

Louisburg didn’t look road weary against Baldwin on Friday as the Wildcats took care of business in a 65-49 victory. It was the Wildcats’ third straight win as they continue their positive start to the new year and one that has put them as the No. 5 team in Class 4A.

“It was good to get another win.,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We played well in spurts, but we definitely weren’t as consistent as we were against Bonner. We were a bit out of rhythm offensively. We didn’t seem to move the ball as well and forced some shots. 

“You’re going to have those games where things are clicking on all cylinders, but you hope to fix those mistakes watching film and in practice and prepare for the next one.”

The Wildcats got off to a cold start to begin the game as they trailed by two points going into the second quarter, but began to heat up in the second.

Louisburg opened up a 28-23 lead at halftime, and still had five-point lead going into the fourth, when the Wildcats outscored Baldwin 20-9 in the final frame to pull away for the win.

Senior Ben Guetterman led the Wildcat offense as he finished with a game-high 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and ended four rebounds and three assists.

“Ben has been playing very well,” Pfannenstiel said. “He’s been shooting it better since the break, but he’s at his best when he’s moving and being active without the ball. He’s an aggressive and explosive offensive rebounder.

“Ben has his best games when he plays active within the three point line. When he plays that way and then can add a few makes from the perimeter is when he really sparks us offensively.”

Junior Julian Margrave also had a big night as he helped the Wildcats pull away. He ended up with 19 points, six rebounds and four blocks.

Senior point guard Weston Guetterman also scored in double figures with 14 points and had five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

“Julian had a stretch where he really took over,” Pfannenstiel said. “Our guys did a good job of getting him touches and he made some nice plays at the rim. We need to do a better job as a team of playing through Julian and then working off of that. If he’s getting touches inside, many times teams are double teaming him and that makes for great opportunities for other guys cutting to the rim or moving to get a good shot.”

Defense was also big for the Wildcats in the fourth quarter as they held Baldwin to single digits and forced 16 turnovers for the game. They turned those mistakes into 21 points to help turn the tide.

Junior Michael Seuferling, along with seniors Konnor Vohs, Andy Hupp and Dawson Barnes, have all provided Louisburg good minutes in that regard.

“Baldwin played tough,” We had to work for everything on both ends, but I’ve been pleased with our defensive effort this month – actually all year.  We’ve kept all of our opponents in the 40’s so far since break. We have guys that are really embracing their roles as defensive stoppers. 

“Michael Seuferling has played great defensively all year. He’s one of the best on ball defenders in our league. Konnor Vohs, Dawson Barnes and Andy Hupp have really been active on the defensive end as well. Those guys cause a lot of problems for other teams. Our goal is to make the other team uncomfortable all game long. Our kids have been playing with tremendous energy and effort and have executed really well.”

LOU 11 17 17 20 – 65

BAL 13 10 17 9 – 49 

LOUISBURG (6-2): Ben Guetterman 8-13 0-0 20; Julian Margrave 9-16 1-1 19; Weston Guetterman 5-12 2-2 14; Michael Seuferling 1-7 2-2 4; Maverick Rockers 1-1 0-0 3; Dawson Barnes 1-2 0-0 3; Konnor Vohs 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 26-57 5-5 65. 3-point field goals: 8, (B. Guetterman 4, W. Guetterman 2, Rockers, Barnes)