Wildcat girls win season opener over Wellsville in dominant fashion

The Louisburg girls basketball team opened its season in convincing fashion last Tuesday, using a dominant second quarter to pull away from Wellsville Eagles for a 51–29 win in the Wildcats’ home debut.

The Wildcats trailed 10–9 after the first quarter but erupted for a 15–3 run in the second, fueled by strong interior play from Kinley Scott and McKenna Lohse. Scott finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Lohse added 13 points and eight boards of her own as Louisburg controlled the paint throughout.

Head coach Adrianne Lane said her team’s togetherness set the tone early in the year.

“The girls played great against Wellsville, they played together and did a great job executing,” Lane said. “We ran the floor really well and played great defense. The girls deserved that first win — they played together and battled every possession.”

Louisburg shook off early jitters before taking command as Wellsville got a lot of second chance points to take a one-point lead going into the second quarter.

“We all were a little nervous to start, but once we got started I felt like the girls played with confidence and played together,” Lane said. “Kenna and Kinley both did a great job running the floor and finishing in transition.”

Ella Bockelman and Maddie Yoder each scored seven points, with Yoder knocking down the Wildcats’ lone three-pointer. Morgan Latham added six.

Louisburg outscored Wellsville 27–16 in the second half to secure the season-opening victory.

LOU       9               15            12            15 – 51

WEL       10               3            10            6 – 29

LOUISBURG: Kinley Scott 5-10 4-9 14; McKenna Lohse 6-11 1-1 13; Ella Bockelman 3-4 1-2 7; Maddie Yoder 3-5 0-0 7; Morgan Latham 2-8 2-2 6; McKinley Harmon 1-7 0-0 2; Emersynn Deere 0-2 2-2 2. Totals: 20-50 10-16 51. 3-point field goals: 1, Yoder

Wildcats stumble in league opener at Tonganoxie

Three days after its strong start, Louisburg hit early offensive struggles on the road in its Frontier League opener, falling 47–14 to Tonganoxie on Friday.

Tonganoxie’s defensive pressure — led by standout duo Addy Schooler and Alyssa Schoeneck — forced the Wildcats into difficult shots all night. Schooler posted 14 points and six rebounds, while Schoeneck filled the stat sheet with 13 points, six rebounds and eight steals.

Louisburg managed just six first-half points and was held to two baskets in the second half. Ellia Gibbons led the Wildcats with four points, while McKinley Harmon hit the team’s lone three-pointer.

Lane said Tonganoxie’s speed and physicality dictated the game.

“Tonganoxie is a tough team, they play super fast and they are super physical,” Lane said. “They have several players who played great minutes, I feel like Tongie will be a very tough team to beat in our league this year.”

Louisburg struggled to match the pace but remains focused on growth.

“We had a hard time with the pace of the game — they played super fast and super aggressive,” Lane said. “All we can do is learn and get better after the tough loss, and I know this group of girls is up for the challenge.”

The Wildcats return to action this Tuesday when they host Ottawa in another Frontier League matchup.

LOU                         6               3               2               3 – 14

TON                         15            12            19            1 – 47

LOUISBURG (1-1): Ellia Gibbons 2-7 0-0 4; McKinley Harmon 1-3 0-0 3; Kinley Scott 1-7 1-2 3; McKenna Lohse 1-6 0-0 2; Talen McMurray 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 6-39 1-4 14. 3-point field goals: 1, Harmon