Lady Cats hold on to defeat Piper in 2021 finale

(From left) Sierra Hahn, Tehya Harvey and Ava Baker celebrate with teammate Adyson Ross (11) following the team’s 29-26 victory over Piper on Thursday in Louisburg.

Offensively, it wasn’t the Louisburg girls’ night Thursday in their home matchup with Piper.

The Lady Cats just couldn’t seem to get much to fall. So instead, they turned to their defense.

Louisburg forced 17 Piper turnovers, and recorded 12 steals, en route to a 29-26 come from behind win over the Pirates to close out the 2021 portion of its schedule.

It was an important win for the Lady Cats after losing their first game of the season in the final seconds, two days earlier against Baldwin.

“Thursday’s win against Piper was a great win for our team,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “It showed us that we can win close games and moving forward I hope that win gives us the confidence we need as a team to finish close games.”

The Lady Cats (4-1) were able to get some big minutes for their bench, especially from juniors Delanie Tally and Emma Lohse.

Lohse provided a spark in the first half with a quick four points and two steals to help keep Louisburg in the contest.

Then in the fourth quarter, Tally hit a pair of 3-pointers that accounted for six of the team’s eight points in the final period of a tight contest.

“The bench was great,” Lane said. “Emma and Delanie have played excellent the past two games. Emma’s defense and hustle brings energy to our team and I was so proud of Delanie. She was super confident and stepped up and made two huge 3’s for the team to put us ahead.”

Louisburg scored just five points to open the game, but rallied to tie the game at 15-all before halftime. Piper took a one-point lead going into the fourth before Tally hit a pair of 3-pointers to put the Lady Cats ahead.

Louisburg’s defense took care of the rest as it held Piper to just four points in the final period and ended the 2021 year on a good note.

“Piper’s defense was very tough,” Lane said. “They were solid on the inside and they did a great job rebounding. As the game went on I thought the girls adjusted to the zone and did better moving the ball and looking for the open player.”

Junior Adyson Ross led the Lady Cats in scoring with 10 points, while junior Emma Prettyman had a team-high six rebounds. Junior Brianne Kuhlman also had a team-best three steals.

Louisburg is back in action on Jan. 7 when the Lady Cats travel to Eudora for a Frontier League matchup. 

LOU 5 10 6 8 — 29

PIP 9 6 7 4 — 26

LOUISBURG (4-1): Adyson Ross 5-12 0-0 10; Delanie Tally 2-4 0-0 6; Emma Lohse 1-4 2-2 4; Emma Prettyman 2-4 0-0 4; Delaney Wright 1-6 1-2 3; Ava Baker 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 12-41 3-5 29. 3-point field goals: 2, (Tally 2)

Baldwin edges Louisburg on free throw in final seconds

Everything seemed to be going Louisburg’s way on the road at Baldwin.

The Lady Cats held a 12-point lead early in the second half and were well on their way to fourth straight win.

Baldwin had other ideas as it scored 25 second half points and rallied to defeat Louisburg, 35-34, in the final seconds.

With one second remaining in regulation, Baldwin’s Riley Smith was fouled. She made 1 of 2 free throws and the Lady Cats didn’t have time to get another shot off.

“Losing to Baldwin was very hard,” Lane said. “I felt we played great and did everything we needed to do until the last 2 and half minutes. We executed our offense, and defensively the girls played so well as we held Baldwin’s best two girls to 16 points total. Losing is always tough, but we will learn from this loss and become a better team from it.”

Louisburg held a 5-point lead late, but Baldwin eventually tied it on a 3-pointer from Karly Neufeld. After a couple missed Louisburg free throws, Smith drove the lane and was fouled with one second remaining.

The Lady Cats had big second quarter as they scored 16 points in the frame to take a 20-10 halftime lead. Louisburg, however, scored just four points in the fourth to allow Baldwin to get back in it.

Senior Jordan Mynsted led the Lady Cats as she posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Emma Prettyman had nine rebounds.

Emma Lohse finished with six points, while Adyson Ross and Delaney Wright each finished with four. Delanie Tally had a team-high three steals.

LOU 4 16 10 4 — 34

BAL 3 7 14 11 — 35

LOUISBURG: Jordan Mynsted 4-10 2-2 10; Emma Lohse 3-5 0-0 6; Adyson Ross 2-8 0-1 4; Delaney Wright 1-5 2-4 4; Emma Prettyman 1-6 2-3 4; Brianne Kuhlman 1-6 1-2 3; Delanie Tally 1-2 0-2 3. Totals: 13-44 7-14 34. 3-point field goals: 1, (Tally)