Lady Cats bounce back thanks to hustle plays

By Andy Brown
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Updated: January 12, 2017

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg sophomore Carson Buffington gets on the floor for a loose ball Tuesday in the Lady Cats’ home game with Frontenac. Buffington finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds in the 50-27 win.

Following Friday’s 30-plus point loss to state-ranked Baldwin, the Louisburg High School girls basketball team walked off the floor with one of the worst feelings possible.

Not only did the Lady Cats lose the game, they were beaten to loose balls, struggled defensively and it was a performance they just wanted to put behind them.

Before they did that, however, they wanted to use that game as motivation. Louisburg didn’t want to experience that feeling again – and four days later – the Lady Cats changed all that.

The Lady Cats were on the right end of a blowout game this time around as they downed Frontenac 50-27 on Tuesday at Louisburg High School.

They were on the floor for loose balls, smothered Frontenac on defense and were aggressive on the glass – a total turnaround from Friday.

“We talked at practice that one game, good or bad, doesn’t define us,” Louisburg coach Shawn Lowry said. ‘I said that is all about how we respond and react. That is who they are, that is their character that showed (Tuesday).

“I was really proud of the defensive effort and we got on the floor immediately. Anything that went on the floor we were battling for. They were disappointed in themselves last week and letting someone beat them to loose balls. That won’t be happening with this group and it showed.”

Senior Chloe Renner goes up for a basket Tuesday against Frontenac.

In between all those floor burns, the Lady Cats (4-4) were also efficient offensively, especially in the first half. Louisburg jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter and outscored Frontenac 16-5 in the second to take a 33-14 halftime lead.

Senior Madisen Simpson provided Louisburg with a big boost offensively, especially from behind-the-arch as she finished with 22 points, including four 3-pointers.

Sophomore Carson Buffington provided the Lady Cats with a presence down low with a double-double. Buffington scored 10 points and pulled down a team-high 15 rebounds to go along with several tussles on the floor for loose balls.

Senior Chloe Renner came off the bench to finish with nine points and six rebounds.

“We took care of the ball against a defense that we don’t see a lot of and only had a couple days to prepare for,” Lowry said. “I thought the girls did a nice job with that and understanding what they were supposed to do. We have some girls that are just flat out battling for everything and I can’t say that enough. From the seniors, on down the line, everyone was just working hard.

“Carson was playing like a crazy woman out there and she was all over the floor for loose balls and rebounds and that was really fun to see.”

Defensively, the Lady Cats frustrated Frontenac and held the Raiders’ best post player, Kaylee Harper, to 13 points. Harper scored nine of Frontenac’s first 11 points before picking up her second foul and the Lady Cats took advantage.

“She is a good player,” Lowry said of Harper. “She is a nice player and we will see some other ones like that here pretty soon. It was a nice challenge for us to get to play someone like that. I thought everyone did a real nice job defensively.”

Louisburg forced 14 steals and turned those into easy baskets in transition. Senior Paige Buffington was especially active as she had a team-high eight steals to go along with seven assists offensively.

The Lady Cats also rebounded well as they pulled down 17 offensive boards, which turned into several second chance opportunities.

“It is contagious in that when someone lays out for a play, it feeds, but it can be contagious the other way,” Lowry said. “The moping and putting your head down is also contagious. We want to start out that we will battle for everything.”

Louisburg will try for its second straight win Friday when it hosts De Soto for homecoming. Tipoff is set for approximately 6 p.m.

“It is a big game for us and for where the league is at right now,” Lowry said. “It is on our home floor and we are excited to play, especially after Tuesday.”

LOU 17 16 9 8 – 50

FRON 9 5 8 5 – 27

LOUISBURG (4-4): Madisen Simpson 22, Carson Buffington 10, Chloe Renner 9, Kennia Hankinson 3, Haley Cain 2, Tayler Lancaster 2, Paige Buffington 2. Totals: 16-52 13-20 50. 3-point field goals: 5, (Simpson 4, Hankinson)