In battle of ranked teams, Wildcats come up short to SM South

Louisburg junior Michael Seuferling drives to the basket on a Shawnee Mission South defender Monday in Louisburg.

The atmosphere was that of a big postseason game – the Louisburg High School gymnasium was rocking thanks to two opposing sections that wanted to come out victorious. 

The game itself wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of it all, but a pair of ranked teams battled it out Monday. Shawnee Mission South (No. 6 in 6A) and Louisburg (No. 2 in 4A) went back-and-forth at each other in what was close game – at least until the end.

Shawnee Mission South used a late run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 50-38 win over Louisburg, but all was not lost for the Wildcats.

“This game, I think, gives us a little more confidence that we can go toe-to-toe with anybody, no matter what class they are,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We are disappointed and we had a chance to win that game if we execute a little better, but the guys will have right kind of confidence after this game. I always tell them to be confident and not cocky.”

The Wildcats (13-6) played confident, especially early on. The Raiders took a 10-7 lead in the first, but the Wildcats flipped the script and went on a 10-1 run of their own that went into the second quarter.

Louisburg’s Julian Margrave hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 10-all, then after free throws from Konnor Vohs and Dawson Barnes, Margrave hit another basket to put the Wildcats up 15-10.

Ben Guetterman hit a short jumper and a 3-pointer to put Louisburg up 20-14, but the Raiders ended the first half on a 9-2 run to take a one-point halftime lead.

Margrave hit his second 3-pointer of the game to put the Wildcats up two to start the second half, but South’s defense proved to be too much down the stretch as the Wildcats scored 13 points the rest of the game.

“The second half we were trying to drive the ball, and I think the officials were letting some stuff go on both ends,” Pfannenstiel said. “We had some good looks and some of those didn’t fall. We weren’t as good offensively in the second half, but we always tell ourselves that if we play great defense you are always going to have a shot. The way we defended tonight really made them work on the offensive end. To hold a team like that to 50 is an accomplishment, but we have to score the ball a little bit better.”

Margrave and Ben Guetterman led the Wildcats in scoring with 10 points each, while Margrave also had a team-high eight rebounds. 

Junior Michael Seuferling finished with a team-high four assists.

Despite the loss, the Wildcats had a good time playing in the atmosphere that was helped by the addition of a 40-member Shawnee Mission South student section that had the opportunity to see a live event for the first time all year since the game was held in Louisburg.

“It was just a fun game,” Pfannenstiel said. “The atmosphere was good and I think that will be a sub-state type atmosphere. I thought our guys answered really well to that. That was a great student section that South brought. Good for them to finally be able to watch again because that is what high school is about is to experience those things with their friends. 

“Glad they got to see a great basketball and game and hopefully that will reinvigorate our student section and get more kids here. Our players loved that environment and they were playing hard and played really well.”

Louisburg will now host rival Paola on Senior Night tonight as the Wildcats will honor seniors Weston Guetterman, Ben Guetterman, Konnor Vohs, Andy Hupp and Dawson Barnes. 

It will be the final regular season game for Louisburg before it begins postseason play this Tuesday.

“Whoever we play from here on out, starting with Paola, no one is going to lay over just because they see our record or ranking,” Pfannenstiel said. “The guys need to be confident, go over their preparation in practice, and play hard.”

LOU 13 9 9 7 — 38

SMS 10 13 13 14 — 50

LOUISBURG (13-6): Ben Guetterman 4-9 1-1 10; Julian Margrave 4-13 0-0 10; Weston Guetterman 2-6 2-6 6; Maverick Rockers 2-2 0-0 5; Michael Seuferling 2-7 0-0 4; Konnor Vohs 0-2 2-2 2; Dawson Barnes 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 14-41 6-11 38. 3-point field goals: 4, (Margrave 2, B. Guetterman, Rockers)

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