New look Louisburg girls basketball team excited for season

Louisburg guard Jillian Asher is one of seven juniors who will lead the Lady Cats this season.

There aren’t many years when a varsity basketball team will feature a totally different look to it going into a new season.

However, it is one of those years for the Louisburg girls basketball team.

The Lady Cats return zero starters from a season ago — and have no players who logged any significant varsity minutes in the 22-23 campaign.

On the other hand, Louisburg will feature a group of seven juniors who are looking forward to putting their fingerprints on the program.

“In my nine years of coaching I have never started a season with zero seniors, and not only that, but zero players with little to no varsity experience,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “Of course this is a challenge, but with the group of juniors that I have I know they are ready to step up and give this program all they have. These group of juniors are very competitive and they will battle every game.”

Louisburg reached the sub-state championship game a season ago, but the Lady Cats had to say goodbye to a big class of seven seniors and now they will have a new group looking making their own mark.

With a lot of new players, practice has been important to start the season and Lane has liked what she has seen so far.

“Practice has been going well,” Lane said. “They are hard workers and they bring a lot of energy every day. We have practiced together with all teams a lot so far this season. The freshman group is strong so they make practice very competitive.”

Juniors Jillian Asher, Ally Brown, Sabra Brueggen, Ashlyn Kuhlman, Sami Lane, Addy Stohs and Shylar Whiting will get a bulk of the minutes for the Lady Cats this season, but it is a group that has played together for awhile.

After a solid junior varsity season a year ago, they are looking to find success at the varsity level with the help of some sophomores off the bench. Although they logged a few varsity minutes at times last season, it will be their first opportunity as varsity leaders.

“This group works extremely hard, they have come every day with a positive attitude and they are willing to learn,” coach Lane said. “If they can keep team first, I do believe they will have a successful season.”

Asher will serve as the team’s point guard, while Brown, Sami Lane and Whiting will play on the wing. Kuhlman will split time on the wing and in the post, while Brueggen and Stohs will play underneath the basket.

“They have played together for many, many years, they know each other and they know where each other will be on the court,” coach Lane said. “I think we will be quick and be able to transition well on offense and defense. The program as a whole is strong, our freshmen come in with a lot of talent and there are several JV players who are very strong as well.”

Like most seasons, the Lady Cats will have a difficult schedule, including matchups against Frontier League programs. Louisburg opens its season Friday at home against Tonganoxie.

“I think the Frontier League is tough,” coach Lane said. “I believe Baldwin will be one of the top teams this year. They will be quick and tough. Ottawa will also be a strong team. They are always physical and play extremely hard. Spring Hill will be tough again this year, as they have several returning starters from last year.”