Melton reaches 500 rebound milestone in sub-state victory

Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton recorded her 500th career rebound last Saturday in the Lady Cats’ sub-state championship victory over Fort Scott.

In the midst of all the excitement of winning a sub-state championship and becoming the first team to qualify for state in 47 years, Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton reached a milestone of her own.

Melton recorded 11 rebounds in the Lady Cats’ sub-state victory over Fort Scott on Saturday and that ninth one was special.

Late in the fourth quarter, Melton pulled down her 500th career rebound, and at the time had no idea that she was even close.

Head coach Adrianne Lane called a timeout right after it happened and her teammates let her know exactly what she had accomplished. 

“Reaching a goal like 500 rebounds is a huge accomplishment,” Melton said. “I play with some amazing girls and we all work hard to get those rebounds. To reach this is exciting. These type of goals are set as a freshman and we work four years to reach them.”

Melton is the second Lady Cat to reach such a milestone in less than a month. In February, senior Alyse Moore reached the 500-rebound mark on the road against Shawnee Mission South.

Rebounding is a job that both players take very seriously.

“Playing with Alyse and the rest of the seniors has been an amazing journey,” Melton said. “Alyse is a gifted player and the teammate everyone should have.  To share an accomplishment like this with her is quite an honor. I am thankful to play with a team that trusts us to get the job done under the goal.”

They have certainly done that as the Lady Cats are onto the Class 4A state semifinals and both players have been big reasons why.

“I am super proud of her,” Moore said. “It is pretty cool to think that between us we have more than a 1,000 rebounds together. It was cool to see her reaction when she came off the floor. She has earned this and I am so proud of her accomplishment.”

No one appreciates the ability to rebound more than the head coach.

“Rebounding is a huge part of our game, we hit the boards hard on offense and defense as a team,” Lane said. “Having two seniors reach the 500 rebound milestone this year shows how hard we work to rebound. Madilyn pulling down 500 career rebounds is so exciting and I am so proud of her.”