Lady Cats spoil Paola senior night with big road win

Louisburg senior Jordan Mynsted splits two Paola defenders as she goes up for a shot Tuesday at Paola High School.

PAOLA — The Louisburg girls basketball team picked a good time to play one of its best game of the season — if not THE best.

Louisburg traveled to Paola on its Senior Night and left with a 51-33 victory over the Panthers on Tuesday to complete a season sweep. The Lady Cats also snapped a 5-game losing streak in the process.

The Lady Cats led by just five points going into the fourth quarter, but Louisburg scored 21 points in the final period to pull away.

“The girls had so much team energy going into the fourth quarter, but we also played together as a team,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “In my opinion this was the best team win we have had all season.”

Defensively, the Lady Cats (8-11) made things difficult on the Panthers as they held Paola to just 18 percent shooting. They were also able to keep Paola senior Kate Ediger in check.

Ediger, who still scored 16 points and had seven rebounds, found it difficult to score thanks to the defense of junior Adyson Ross as the rest of the team.

“Adyson did a great job guarding Ediger,” Lane said. “She contested every one of Ediger’s shots and then she did a great job boxing her out and rebounding when she missed. The rest of the team did a great job rebounding and helping when Adyson needed it.”

Despite missing on its first attempt, the Panthers had second-chance opportunities with 18 offensive rebounds, but the Lady Cats didn’t allow the easy shot.

Louisburg also forced 16 Paola turnovers and turned those into 12 points, which also played a big role in the victory.

The Lady Cats had small lead at halftime and led 30-25 after the third quarter, but the Lady Cats hit several big baskets and made their free throws down the stretch. Louisburg was 19 for 24 from the free-throw line for the game.

Senior Jordan Mynsted and Ross helped carry the Lady Cats offensively. Mynsted finished with a game-high 18 points, pulled down six rebounds and was 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.

Ross also finished in double figures with 11 points, five rebounds and a team-high four assists. Junior Delanie Tally had eight points in the win.

“The win was huge for our team,” Lane said. “We came in with energy and we played hard the entire game. This was a total team win, this win was earned and felt by the entire team. This win will help the girls go into the post season with positive attitudes and the will to win.”

Louisburg got a late minute addition to its schedule as the Lady Cats will host Chanute in a girls-only game Friday that will end its regular season. Freshmen will start at 4:30, while JV and varsity will follow.

With its regular season nearly in the books, the Lady Cats are still waiting to see who their postseason opponent will be. 

The top four teams by record on each side of the state will host the sub-state tournament. Brackets are schedule to be released Saturday.

LOU 8 14 8 21 — 51

PAO 8 8 9 8 — 33

LOUISBURG (8-11): Jordan Mynsted 4-12 10-11 18; Adyson Ross 3-13 4-6 11; Delanie Tally 2-5 2-4 8; Emma Prettyman 3-6 0-0 6; Brianne Kuhlman 1-3 3-3 5; Ava Baker 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 14-43 19-24 51. 3-point field goals: 4, (Tally 2, Ross, Baker)