Louisburg girls basketball looks to rebuild as new season begins

After graduating seven seniors and navigating a difficult Frontier League, the Louisburg girls basketball team enters the 2025-26 season knowing it will have a different look to it.

The Wildcats finished 5-16 a year ago and return just two varsity players in senior forwards Morgan Latham and McKenna Lohse, both of whom were steady contributors in the post. Latham averaged close to six points and five rebounds per game, while Lohse added five points and four boards.

Louisburg head coach Adrianne Lane said the group has embraced the challenge of starting fresh.

“Practice has been great so far. This group is working very hard and they are very coachable,” Lane said. “Since we do not have a lot of returning varsity players, the girls have been very willing to learn new things and very willing to put these new things into action.”

Experience will be one of the Wildcats’ biggest hurdles.

“The biggest challenge will be lack of experience on the varsity level,” Lane said. “But I do feel that this group is willing to put in the effort and hard work to be ready for the varsity level.”

Even so, Louisburg believes it can lean heavily on its post players. Junior Kinley Scott, who saw varsity action last season, joins Latham and Lohse to give the Wildcats one of their most reliable areas.

“Having Kenna and Morgan back this year is huge for our program. They are doing a great job working with the younger girls and helping them learn the new plays,” Lane said. “Getting Kenna and Morgan touches in the lane will be very important. Most of our offenses revolve around the bigs, and I think Kenna and Morgan and the other bigs are ready.”

Lane also expects Scott to make a significant leap.

“Kinley has been playing very well in practice and I am excited to see how she does in the games,” Lane said. “She is a huge threat with the basketball and I think we will see a lot of offense out of her this year.”

But if the Wildcats are strong inside, the guard spots will feature fresh faces. Juniors Maddie Yoder and Ellia Gibbons, who received limited varsity time last season, are set to anchor the backcourt. Yoder will run the offense at point guard.

“Maddie Yoder will play a big part this year. She will be the point guard and she does a great job taking care of the basketball,” Lane said. “She is very fun to watch and makes some great passes.

“Ellia is another returner, she works very hard and plays hard. She will bring some excitement to the floor as well as hustle.”

Juniors Ella Bockelman and McKinley Harmon will also see extended minutes on the wings as Louisburg builds a new rotation.

The Wildcats open their season tonight at home against Wellsville, tipping off at 6 p.m., and Lane believes the foundation is in place for steady growth.

“This group is willing to put in the effort and hard work,” she said. “I’m excited to see how far they can go.”