Nemaha Central uses big rally to steal tourney title from Lady Cats

Senior Alyse Moore splits two Nemaha Central defenders and draws a foul during Saturday’s Top Gun championship game in Wellsville.

WELLSVILLE — Early on the second half, the Louisburg girls basketball team was well on its way to accomplishing something great. 

Not only would a win give the Lady Cats their first ever Top Gun championship – after placing eighth a year ago – but it would also end Nemaha Central’s 36-game winning streak.

Louisburg, the No. 5 team in Class 4A, held a 14-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Nemaha Central – who made the Class 3A final four last year and is No. 3 in Class 3A – showed why the Thunder had won that many games in a row.

Nemaha Central pressured the Lady Cats, which helped the Thunder get back in the game, and eventually hand Louisburg a 52-48 loss Saturday in Wellsville.

As much disappointment as the Lady Cats felt after such an important game, they know there will be bigger opportunities on the horizon.

“The girls had mixed emotions after the game on Saturday,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “They were very sad because we lost, but proud of themselves for getting second after placing eighth last year. 

“This game will help us get better and show us how we need to play once we get to the postseason. Learning from this loss is so important for the future of this team.”

Foul trouble was a consistent problem for the Lady Cats as seniors Madilyn Melton and Megan Foote each had to sit for a majority of the first half and Melton was saddled with three fouls before halftime.

It meant other players had to step up like sophomore Emma Prettyman, who played the final two minutes of the second quarter, and got a rebound and a steal to help the Lady Cats preserve their 27-20 halftime advantage.

Despite Melton picking up her fourth foul early in the third quarter, the Lady Cats still went on an 8-1 run that ended on a steal and a basket from senior Alyse Moore to put Louisburg up 35-21.

From then on, Nemaha Central took control as its pressure defense led the Thunder to go on an 11-0 run to end third quarter.

“The third quarter was a roller-coaster for us,” Lane said. “We came out very hard from halftime and scored a couple of big buckets to take the lead. Nemaha started pressuring us more and took us out of our game. They were very aggressive on the ball and we did not handle the pressure very well.”

Louisburg (10-2) was able to fight back to start the fourth as junior Jordan Mynsted scored five straight points to help the Lady Cats to a 40-33 lead.

Again, the Thunder went on a 7-0 run to tie the game, but Melton kept the Lady Cats in it with a basket and a pair of free throws. She later fouled out with 2:34 left in the game and the Thunder did enough damage at the free-throw line to eek out the win.

Senior Brooklyn Diederich had a basket and junior Delaney Wright added a pair of free throws late to cut it to one, but Nemaha Central guard Cassidy Corby took advantage of her chances at the line.

Corby knocked down several late free throws and finished the game with 29 points and was 14-for-18 from the free-throw line.

As a team, Nemaha Central converted 24-of-35 opportunities, while Louisburg went to the line just 15 times and made nine.

“The fouls that were called did hurt us as a team,” Lane said. “Allowing Nemaha to shoot so many free throws put us at a disadvantage. When a team scores 24 points off free throws it’s hard to overcome that.”

Mynsted led the Lady Cats in scoring with 14 points, while Madilyn Melton added 10. Wright was third on the team with seven points.

Although it may not have showed in the scoring column, Moore made a big impact on the game for the Lady Cats. Moore finished with team-highs in rebounds (8), assists (5), deflections (3), steals (3) and blocks (1). She also added six points.

Moore would go to represent Louisburg on the Top Gun All-Academic Team.

“Alyse is such a great leader and it showed in the championship game and all week at Wellsville,” Lane said. “Her energy and positive attitude are felt by all the girls. She helps us get excited and ready to play. She had some really big plays in the championship, and her efforts helped us stay in the game.”

Following the contest, Melton, Mynsted and Foote were all named to the all-tournament team for their efforts throughout the week at Wellsville – one that provided many memorable moments.

“I cannot say enough about this team and how hard they play,” Lane said. “Their fight and hustle are impressive and their teamwork is improving each game. I am so proud to be their coach and I know they will never quit.”

Louisburg will try and get back on track as it will have big games this week against Paola and Ottawa – both teams who are in the Lady Cats’ substate. The Lady Cats will travel to Paola tonight.

“This is going to be a huge week for us,” Lane said. “Playing two sub-state opponents will help us see where we are and what we need to do to get better. Also playing one of our biggest rivals this week will make for a fun game. The girls are so excited and ready to fight.”

LOU 13 14 8 13 – 48

NC 10 10 12 20 – 52 

LOUISBURG (10-2): Jordan Mynsted 6-16 2-3 14; Madilyn Melton 4-6 2-2 10; Delaney Wright 1-1 4-4 7; Brooklyn Diederich 2-8 1-2 6; Alyse Moore 3-6 0-4 6; Megan Foote 1-4 0-0 3; Brianne Kuhlman 1-6 0-0 2. Totals: 18-47 9-15 48. 3-point field goals: 3, (Wright, Diederich, Foote)

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