Three Wildcats earn postseason honors; Pfannenstiel named 4A Coach of the Year

Coming off its first state championship appearance in school history, and recording its best finish in the program’s long tenure, the Louisburg boys basketball team knew those postseason honors would come its way.

They certainly did — athletes and coaches alike.

The Wildcats earned three All-Frontier League selections, were named to all-state teams and even had their head coach recognized.

Louisburg head coach Ty Pfannenstiel was named the Class 4A Coach of the Year by Sports in Kansas and Wichita Eagle as he guided the Wildcats to an 18-7 record and a spot in the Class 4A state championship, where they finished runner-up.

“I’m honored to win the award,” Pfannenstiel said. “I’m really just happy for our boys and the success they had this season. Coach of the Year is really a team award. It takes everyone working together as a group to accomplish what we did this season, and I just did my best to get the boys prepared for each contest. I can’t thank my assistant coaches (Drew Harding and Pete Skakal) and players enough for everything they have contributed to this program. It truly is a team effort.”

A few of the Wildcat players were also recognized on different levels.

Junior Julian Margrave was selected to the All-Frontier League first team and was the league’s top vote getter. Margrave averaged 17.7 points a game to go along with 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a contest.

Margrave was a Class 4A all-state first team selection by the Topeka Capital-Journal and was also named to their all-class third team. He was also a 4A first team selection by the Wichita Eagle.

He was named a first-team Class 4A all-state player by Sports in Kansas and third team in all classes.

“Julian had another big year for us,” Pfannenstiel said. “He was a unanimous first team selection for the second year in a row. He led our team in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots. Most teams focused so much attention on stopping Julian, that things really opened up for other guys. Even when Julian would have an off night offensively, he would still end up with double figures in scoring. 

“There’s a reason Julian is as good as he is, because he works really hard at it. He’s always the last one to leave the gym each night. I think he would stay there all night if I didn’t have to kick him out so I could go home and see my family. He is the definition of “gym rat.” He’s had two really good varsity years, each year better than the year before. I’m looking forward to him making another jump again next year.”

Senior point guard Weston Guetterman also received a lot of accolades as he was a second team All-Frontier League selection. Guetterman averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals a game.

Guetterman was also named to the Sports in Kansas all-state second team and was an honorable mention all-state selection by the Capital-Journal. He was selected third team all-state by the Eagle.

“Weston was really good for us this year,” Pfannenstiel said. “In my opinion, he was the best all-around point guard in our league. He had some big offensive nights for us, and does such a good job of initiating our offense. His performance in the state semifinals against Augusta was incredible. He was our third leading rebounder trailing Ben by just 2 rebounds, which is astounding because he’s our point guard. He also led our team in steals and assists. 

“Weston was an honorable mention as a junior, so I was glad to see our coaches put him on the second team, even though he probably deserved first team honors. It’s been a lot of fun coaching Weston during his four years and seeing him grow as a player. Weston is a great player and even a better kid.”

Senior guard Ben Guetterman was also recognized by the league coaches as he was named as an honorable mention for the second straight season.

Guetterman averaged 10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game for the Wildcats. He was also named as a Class 4A honorable mention by Sports in Kansas.

“Ben had a nice senior year,” Pfannenstiel said. “He averaged double figures in scoring for the past two seasons and was our second leading rebounder this year. Ben has had a great career. He’s a two-time honorable mention all league, which is quite an accomplishment. 

“Ben had some big nights for us this season. When he was clicking offensively, we were pretty tough to beat. The second Spring Hill game comes to mind, when it was the Guetterman show there in the first half. Ben is a hard working kid. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but he was just a great leader by example. I enjoyed my four years with him.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL

First Team

Julian Margrave, Louisburg, junior

Trey Moala, Paola, junior

Jaron Briggs, Piper, junior

Cooper Jones, Spring Hill, senior

Rylee Beach, Tonganoxie, senior

Second Team

Trent Stimac, Bonner Springs, junior

Jaden Hamm, Eudora, sophomore

Weston Guetterman, Louisburg, senior

Noah McCullough, Ottawa, junior

Heston Robbins, Tonganoxie, senior

Honorable Mention

Colby Zimmerman, Baldwin, senior

Jayce Smith, Bonner Springs, junior

Justin Fawcett, Eudora, senior

Ty Abts, Eudora, senior

Ben Guetterman, Louisburg, senior

Jake Titus, Ottawa, sophomore

Bo Robison, Paola, senior

Dilyn Taylor-Cantu, Piper, senior

Jamie Tyson, Piper, senior

Ryan Weber, Spring Hill, senior

Blake Poje, Tonganoxie, senior

Dallas Bond, Tonganoxie, senior

Andrew Wilson, Tonganoxie, junior