Loss in state semifinals gives Lady Cats best finish in school history

The Louisburg girls basketball team hoists the Class 4A third-place state trophy Friday following their state semifinal loss to McPherson at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.

SALINA — The tears were abundant following Louisburg’s loss to McPherson on Friday in the Class 4A state semifinal game.

The Lady Cats saw their season come to an end after their 58-46 loss to the Bullpups in Salina, but as hard as the finality of it was to take, they know what is the bigger picture.

Before the game even started, Louisburg already wrapped up its best finish in program history and became the first Lady Cat team to place at state as it finished third.

A season that finished with a 19-5 record and a third place state trophy, is one that will always be remembered in Louisburg history.

“It means the world to me to finish third at state,” senior Megan Foote said. “Obviously it wasn’t how we wanted to finish, but that’s okay. I’m still beyond proud of this group and the accomplishments we have made. We are the best girls basketball team in Louisburg history. I’d say to be a part of that, is pretty awesome. I’m honored.”

For the last three quarters of the game, Louisburg actually outscored McPherson 43-37, but it was the first quarter that the Lady Cats weren’t able to overcome.

McPherson scored the first 15 points of the first quarter and took a 21-3 lead going into the second period.

“The girls were excited and nervous going out in the first quarter,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “They had never experienced a game like this before, or a venue. McPherson started out on fire, so that didn’t help our nerves either.”

Bullpup senior, and Pittsburg State commit, Grace Pyle scored 13 of her team-high 21 points in the first quarter and she was tough for the Lady Cats to stop early on.

“We were all very nervous going into that game,” senior Brooklyn Diederich said. “We have never experienced anything like that atmosphere. We knew that McPherson was a solid team, especially with them having the 5A player of the year (Pyle) from the last season on their team. We beat McPherson in the last three quarters. So if we weren’t as nervous the first quarter, I think we could have won.”

Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton helped bring the Lady Cats back as she scored nine of her team-high 21 points in the second quarter and a pair of free throws from Foote trimmed McPherson’s lead to 31-22 at halftime.

The Lady Cats went on another run to begin the third quarter. Louisburg was down 35-24, but Melton made back-to-back baskets, and junior Jordan Mynsted made one of her own to trim the McPherson lead to just five 

“I knew the girls were not going to give up,” Lane said. “Once we started running our press breaker and offense, we did a great job getting back into the game. They found their rhythm and battled each possession to get us within five points.  

“I think we surprised McPherson when we came back and I did feel the momentum turn in our direction in the third quarter. The 20-point lead was too much for us to overcome.”

McPherson put the game away early in the fourth quarter as it went on a 10-4 run to build its lead back up to 16.

“I think there were a lot of nerves before the game just because none of us had ever been in that position before and it kind of showed in the first quarter,” senior Alyse Moore said. “Once we started to realize that we were there for a reason, I think everyone trusted in one another and we just started to chip away at getting ourselves back in a good position. 

“I am so proud of my team and how hard that we worked to get ourselves back within five. “I think it says a lot about our character and the fight that each and every one of us has.”

Melton led Louisburg in scoring with 21 points in her final game as a Lady Cat. She also finished with a team-high seven rebounds and four blocks.

Moore was close to a double-double with eight points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Adyson Ross and Mynsted finished with seven and six points, respectively.

As the final buzzer sounded, reality began to set it for many of the Lady Cat players and their coach.

“This season has been so much fun for me,” Lane said. “It has been an honor coaching this team and I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity; not only coaching these young ladies, but I have loved getting to know them outside of the classroom.

“Seeing the seniors’ season come to an end was very sad. They welcomed me this year and I will miss them greatly. I really wish I could have coached them for more than one year, but I know all four of the seniors will do great things with their lives and I wish them the best.”

Melton, Moore, Diederich and Foote all played their final game as a Lady Cat player as all four have been a big part of the Louisburg program throughout their four-year career.

“This season exceeded my expectations and was by far the best season out of the four years that I have been here,” Moore said. “The way that Coach Lane stepped up and had as much success as she did in just one season is incredible and I am so thankful for all of her hard work and dedication. All of the coaches and my teammates made this season amazing and I will never forget it. 

“It was heartbreaking when the reality hit me that my Wildcat career would be over, but at the same time I couldn’t be more happy to end it on that note and with that team. It makes me so proud knowing that everything that we had been working for came true. I am going to miss it so much, but I am beyond thankful that I got to go out on such a high note.”

LOU 3 19 12 12 — 46

MCP 21 10 12 15 — 58

LOUISBURG (19-5): Madilyn Melton 7-9 6-6 21; Alyse Moore 4-6 1-2 8; Adyson Ross 3-4 0-0 7; Jordan Mynsted 3-7 0-0 6; Brooklyn Diederich 1-5  0-0 2; Megan Foote 0-3 2-2 2. Totals: 18-37 8-9 46. 3-point field goals: 2, (Melton, Ross)