Louisburg head girls basketball coach Adrianne Lane (left) and Harrisonville head coach BryAnn Middleton squared off with one another Thursday as the two sisters led their teams against each other for the first time.

Anchored on opposite sidelines Thursday at Harrisonville High School, Louisburg’s Adrianne Lane and Harrisonville’s BryAnn Middleton had a reunion of sorts.

At a glance, it might not seem that big of a deal for some, but if you were took look a little closer it touches many different levels.

Drexel Bobcat vs. Drexel Bobcat.

Louisburg Wildcat vs. Harrisonville Wildcat. 

Family vs. Family

Or more specifically, sister vs. sister.

That’s right, for the first time in a long while, Adrianne and BryAnn found themselves competing against each other — instead of competing together. Whether it was in high school at Drexel High, or later on in life, they both have had that competitive fire for the game of basketball.

After spending two years in high school on the same team, they went their separate ways to play college basketball. Throughout many of life’s journeys, they found their way back together on the court again — as coaches.

Not only was it a special moment for the two sisters, but it was also a big game for the respective teams.

For Adrianne, her team could clinch a top four seed, which would allow Louisburg to host sub-state.

And for BryAnn, this was a more special moment. Harrisonville had already clinched a conference championship, but it was Senior Night and she had to say goodbye to four players.

Neither team — or coach — wanted to lose and it had nothing to do with bragging rights.

“To be honest I was thinking more about senior night than coaching against my sister,” BryAnn said. “I knew it was going to be really special for our parents and daughters, but I think we both were just very concerned with our teams. We are both focused on the postseason and it was emotional for me because I’m losing 4 amazing players and people next season.”

“I knew going into the game that Harrisonville would play us tough,” Adrianne said. “I knew they would play great defense and would battle every possession. I felt like this was one of our more intense games the whole season.”

So there they were, screaming out instructions to their players in hopes of getting the win. Drawing up plays — plays and fundamentals they learned from when they were young.

You see, Adrianne and BryAnn were a part of state championship team at Drexel in 1996. Big sister BryAnn was a junior and Adrianne was a freshman.

It was see easy to see their competitive fires on the court and their coach had to find out the hard way one day in practice.

As a freshman, Adrianne was a member of the scout team, and with a player gone from practice, her coach, Brent Bartlett, decided to have her guard BryAnn. What happened next was unforgettable, you might say.

“Big, huge mistake,” BryAnn said. “She was not going to let me score and I was not going to let her stop me. It got pretty physical.”

“Let’s just say it ended with me pinning her against the wall, and she spit in my face, because that was her only defense,” Adrianne said. 

That seems pretty accurate.

“I think I put her on the floor and then when she got up she pinned me against the wall,” BryAnn said. “She had my legs and arms pinned so my only defense was to spit in her face. Not my brightest moment, but I didn’t want to lose.”

In the midst of the scrum, their coach — not sure what to do — decided to empty the gym. All except the two sisters. He had other ideas for them.

“After that the coach cleared the gym and made us run sprints,” Adrianne said. “And we ran hard.”

You would think after the tussle, their competitive fire would simmer a little. 

Nope.

“I think it was the hardest we had ever run, because again neither of us wanted to lose,” BryAnn said.

As rough as that day of practice was, it led to bigger and better things for the two sisters. Drexel went on to win the state championship that year and that team was eventually inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. 

BryAnn and Adrianne used all the running in practice and turned it into something good on the track. The two were members of the school’s 4×800 relay that won a gold medal at state that same year and finished second the following season.

“Being able to compete with my sister was always so rewarding,” Adrianne said. “She was quite the athlete and being able to be on her team, whether it was basketball or track relay team, was quite an honor. She worked so hard to be the great athlete she was.”

The two sisters then turned that success into college basketball careers, and then eventually into coaching. On Thursday, they were competing against each other once again.

They both knew their opponent well — not because of their players necessarily — but the two have similar ideas. When they have a chance to have family gatherings, basketball is always on the agenda.

“We are so busy keeping up with our schedules and our daughters’ schedules that we do not get a lot of time together,” BryAnn said. “When we are together that is almost all we talk about though. I love hearing her perspective and getting her advice. I love her take on new drills. I feel our philosophies are very similar and we realize that practice is where it is at and that is what you need to focus on the most to help your team and players level up.”

There to take it all in were their parents, Bryon and Lorrie Cook. Wearing neutral colors, they were there cheering on their daughters the best way they knew how — with smiles.

“I think my parents were probably the most excited they have been in a long time,” Adrianne said. “They spend most weekdays and weekends watching my family or my sisters family playing basketball. So having us all in one building was so exciting for them. I also know they are so proud of us and our programs. They are dedicated fans to both programs so I know they were cheering on every play.”

As the two teams traded shots in the first half, Louisburg got the best of Harrisonville with a big third quarter and held on for a 52-45 win. Adrianne got the bragging rights this time around, but neither coach was about to make this about them.

“I was so proud of the girls for finishing with a win,” Adrianne said. “It was a sweet win, but for me it was more about getting the 4 seed than anything.”

When the final buzzer sounded the two teams lined up to shake hands. As the two sisters came together, there was nothing but love between the two of them.

No spitting or pinning each other up against the scorer’s table, just admiration for what both have accomplished.

“From what I have seen, my sister has improved the Harrisonville girls basketball program tremendously,” Adrianne said. “Her work ethic is shown in this program as well as her dedication. I am so proud of her and how she has given herself to this program, the girls on her team are so lucky to have her.”

“I’m very excited for (Adrianne) and her sub-state this season,” BryAnn said. “Sounds like there is a chance we will get to go support them in Salina again this year. We are there when we can be.”

Just like any family would.

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week 11 of the winter sports season, sponsored by Prime Accounting Solutions.

EMMA PRETTYMAN, SENIOR, GIRLS BASKETBALL

Louisburg senior Emma Prettyman put together a big week for the Lady Cat basketball team as she helped Louisburg to a pair of wins to end the regular season. Prettyman finished the week with a team-high 23 rebounds and eight assists in wins over Paola and Harrisonville. She also added 14 points.

Prettyman had a big performance against Harrisonville as the Lady Cat forward had a team-high 15 rebounds to go along with seven points and four assists. The victory helped Louisburg earn the No. 4 seed and host the upcoming sub-state tournament.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the winter season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.

Previous winners

Week 1: Adyson Ross

Week 2: Colin Brown

Week 3: Colyer Wingfield

Week 4: Kaven Bartlett

Week 5: Trace Eslinger

Week 6: Jay McCaskill

Week 7: Andrew Jamison

Week 8: Brianne Kuhlman

Week 9: Colton Prettyman

Week 10: Elijah Eslinger

Louisburg senior Ava Baker (left) celebrates with teammate Emma Prettyman after a big basket Thursday at Harrisonville High School.

HARRISONVILLE. Mo. — There was a lot riding on Louisburg’s regular season finale and it came against a different kind of opponent.

The Lady Cats ventured outside league play Thursday and traveled to Harrisonville. A victory meant they would host the sub-state tournament and a victory is exactly what they got.

Louisburg used a big third quarter to take a 10-point lead and the Lady Cats were able to hold on for a 52-45 victory over Harrisonville.

With the win, Louisburg earned the No. 4 seed in the sub-state tournament and will host No. 13 Chanute on Wednesday. If the Lady Cats advance, they will also host the sub-state championship game on Saturday.

“This was a big win for the girls,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “We needed the win, and I felt like the girls played like they knew we needed to win. I thought we did a great job finishing the game. We made several free throws down the stretch to finalize it.”

It was close for much of the contest as the Lady Cats held just a one-point lead at halftime, however they put together an offensive showing in the third.

Louisburg responded with 19 points in the frame and took a 10-point lead going into the final quarter. Senior point guard Brianne Kuhlman led the charge with seven points in the third and senior Delanie Tally also hit a pair of 3-pointers before having to sit with foul trouble.

“At halftime we talked a lot about finishing better in the lane, and in the second half I thought the girls came out and did a better job of that,” Lane said.

Harrisonville didn’t go away, however, as it trimmed the Louisburg lead to just 48-45 late in the fourth quarter. The Lady Cats were able to seal it late with four free throws from Ava Baker and Kuhlman.

Tally had a big night for the Lady Cats despite dealing with foul trouble. She finished with a team-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Senior forward Emma Prettyman dominated the glass with a team-high 15 rebounds to go along with seven points and a team-best four assists and two steals.

Kuhlman also had a strong outing as she tallied 11 points to go along with seven rebounds from the point guard spot. Senior Adyson Ross added 10 points and three assists.

Baker tallied eight points and three rebounds in the win. 

“Delanie had a great night, with four 3-pointers and had a couple 2’s down the stretch,” Lane said. “She played with confidence and I was so proud of her for keeping her head up even when she got into foul trouble.

“Brianne had a heck of a game, as she scored all her points in the second half and she did a great job getting to the basket. She made four really big free throws for us down the stretch as well. Emma P really dominated the lane and she made some big free throws as well.”

Now all focus is on the postseason as the Lady Cats try to earn a spot in the Class 4A state tournament. Their journey begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they host Chanute in the sub-state semifinals.

If they advance, Louisburg will plays the winner of Parsons and Holton on Saturday for the sub-state championship.

“We are very excited for the postseason,” Lane said. “If we play well like we have been all season, I feel like we have a great chance to get to Salina. That being said, we will work hard this week and be prepared for whoever we are playing.”

LOU 12 10 19 11 — 52

HAR 11 10 10 14 — 45

LOUISBURG (14-6): Delanie Tally 6-14 0-0 16; Brianne Kuhlman 3-6 4-5 11; Adyson Ross 3-12 4-6 10; Ava Baker 2-8 2-2 8; Emma Prettyman 2-8 3-6 7.  Totals: 16-56 13-19 52. 3-point field goals: 7, (Tally 4, Baker 2, Kuhlman)

Louisburg sophomore Gavin Lohse fights for a rebound Thursday at Harrisonville High School. In a battle of Wildcats, Louisburg fell 51-43.

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — It wasn’t the best of shooting nights Thursday when Louisburg ventured outside of league play to take on Harrisonville..

The Wildcats shot just 25 percent from the floor and were 43 percent from the free-throw line. However, there they were, down just two points midway through the final quarter.

Unfortunately for Louisburg, Harrisonville scored the final six points of the game and handed the Wildcats a 51-43 defeat in their regular season finale.

“It’s amazing we were still in the game with the way we shot the ball,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We were getting decent looks, we just couldn’t get them to fall. Our guys actually had really good composure and kept grinding.”

Harrisonville jumped out to a quick 13-6 lead after the first quarter and then scored the first seven points of the second to go up 14 points. The Wildcats clawed back to make it a nine point contest at halftime.

Louisburg (8-12) played strong defense at times as it forced 18 Harrisonville turnovers. The Wildcats were also active on the glass with 15 offensive rebounds in the game and that led to 14 second chance points.

The Wildcats got some of those in the second half as it trimmed the lead to seven going into the final quarter.

A free throw from Colyer Wingfield made it four point game with two minutes remaining, and after a Harrisonville free throw, junior Nathan Parker hit a 3-pointer with 1:25 left to make it a 2-point contest.

The Wildcats got the ball back after a blocked shot from Mason Dobbins, but a 3-pointer from Parker rimmed out that would have given Louisburg the lead. Instead, Harrisonville went to the free-throw line and put the game away.

“Our guys always keep battling,” Pfannenstiel said. “When shots aren’t falling, you just have to keep getting stops and getting more opportunities on the offensive end. We were much better in the second half. We gave ourselves a chance in the end. Credit to the boys for continuing to fight.”

Wingfield led the Wildcats in scoring with 13 points and also had seven rebounds. Dobbins added a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with nine points, two blocks and two steals.

Parker came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points.

The loss put the Wildcats as a No. 13 seed in the sub-state tournament and will travel to No. 4 Bishop Miege for a 7 p.m. tipoff tomorrow at Bishop Miege High School.

Louisburg knows going up against the defending state champions will be a tough challenge.

“We are excited to play in the postseason,” Pfannenstiel said. “Not everyone gets a chance to play this week, so we are going to make the most of it. Like we do each game, I expect our guys to play hard and represent our school the right way. Our kids have worked really hard, so I know they will make our community proud.”

LOU 6 11 11 15 — 43

HAR 13 13 9 16 — 51

LOUISBURG (8-12): Colyer Wingfield 5-21 2-4 13; Mason Dobbins 4-7 1-6 9; Nathan Parker 2-7 2-2 8; Trey Myers 2-9 0-1 5; Conlee Hovey 1-3 1-2 3; Gavin Lohse 1-2 0-0 2; Brady Hickey 0-5 1-2 1; Myles Vohs 0-0 1-2 1; Brock Vohs 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 15-60 9-21 43. 3-point field goals: 4, (Parker 2, Myers, Wingfield)

Louisburg senior Colyer Wingfield scored a team-high 16 points and helped the Wildcats to a 52-41 win over Paola on Tuesday.

Nothing like ending a losing streak and doing it against your rival — and on Senior Night nonetheless.

That’s exactly what Louisburg did Tuesday as the Wildcats used a big fourth quarter to get a 52-41 win over Paola and snap a 6-game losing streak in the process.

It was the perfect way for the Wildcats to send their five seniors — Cade Gassman, Trey Myers, Isaiah Whitley, Mason Dobbins and Colyer Wingfield — out with a win in their final home game.

“It was a great team win,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We had a lot of guys step up and make plays. It was definitely the best we’ve played as a whole.”

All five of the seniors contributed in the victory, but it was a pair of underclassmen who sparked the Wildcats in that pivotal fourth quarter. Junior Brady Hickey and sophomore Myles Vohs came off the bench to score eight of the team’s 20 points in the final frame. 

Wingfield also scored six of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats outscore Paola 20-8 and pull away.

The Wildcats shot the ball well throughout the game, despite it being and back-and-forth contest through the first three quarters. Louisburg shot 58 percent from the field and knocked down six 3-pointers.

“We were really effective on offense,” Pfannenstiel said. “I feel like after most of these games we have talked about our offensive woes, but in this one our offense is what bailed us out.  Putting the ball in the hole solves a lot of problems.

“We were great in the fourth. Brady and Myles came in and gave us a big spark. They brought energy, played great defense, and made some big shots.  We also made our free throws down the stretch so that’s what sealed it.”

Vohs was the team’s second leading scorer with nine points and Hickey finished with seven. Both players had key 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.

Dobbins finished the game with a team-high six rebounds and five points. Gassman and Whitley added five points, while Myers added a basket in his final home game.

It is a group of seniors that Pfannenstiel has come to enjoy and that has brought a lot to the program.

“This is a fun group,” Pfannenstiel said. “They’ve worked hard and bought into the work and preparation it takes to play at this level.  They are truly program guys. They’ve hit the weight room, put in the time over the summers, and have made a lasting impact on our program. And best of all, they are good kids. Just a fun group to be around.”

Louisburg will try for back-to-back wins as it heads into postseason play. The Wildcats will try and improve their seeding tonight as they travel to Harrisonville for their regular season finale. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

“Paola was a huge win for us,” Pfannenstiel said. “Hopefully it’s a good confidence booster. Not only was it good for us to just get a win, but it was really important for us seeding wise. The Harrisonville game is going to have a lot of implications as well.  We really need to get another one.”

LOU 11 13 8 20 — 52

PAO 15 8 10 8 — 41

LOUISBURG (8-11): Colyer Wingfield 7-9 0-0 16; Myles Vohs 3-3 2-4 9; Brady Hickey 2-3 2-2 7; Cade Gassman 2-5 0-0 5; Isaiah Whitley 2-3 0-0 5; Mason Dobbins 2-2 1-2 5; Conlee Hovey 0-0 2-2 2; Trey Myers 1-3 0-2 2; Gavin Lohse 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 19-33 8-14 52. 3-point field goals: 6, (Wingfield 2, Hickey, Gassman, Vohs, Whitley)

Louisburg senior Adyson Ross finished with a double-double Tuesday against Paola on Senior Night and helped the Lady Cats to a 47-39 win.

As the ball was thrown into the air for the opening tip — the whistle blew and a technical foul was called on the Louisburg bench.

Normally, technicals are followed with frustration, anger and probably a bunch of yelling. Not in this case. Instead, the smiles could been seen up and down the Lady Cat bench.

It was Senior Night for Louisburg on Tuesday against Paola and the Lady Cats wanted to honor their seven seniors in the proper way. Only five could start, but that didn’t stop head coach Adrianne Lane from starting all seven.

One of the seven included senior Tehya Harvey, who has been out all season with a knee injury and Harvey was able to suit up and take the floor one last time.

“As a coach I have never had to worry about having too many seniors to start on senior night,” Lane said. “I wanted all of the girls to get the opportunity to start because all seven of them deserved to be honored on Senior Night.

“Tehya was very excited to suit up and be on the court with her teammates. I think this was a very special moment for her and I am so glad she got the opportunity to get on the court this season.”

Along with Harvey, seniors Adyson Ross, Delanie Tally, Emma Lohse, Emma Prettyman, Brianne Kuhlman and Ava Baker made it a memorable one as they left the floor with a 47-39 win over Paola.

The Lady Cats got out to a fast start and never looked back as they took a 17-point lead at one point in the second half. Louisburg has now won five of its last six games as the postseason draws near.

“The girls were very excited to get the win against Paola,” Lane said. “They started off great and played hard. I feel the girls have started playing so well together and their trust for each other is shown on the floor.”

It showed early on as the Lady Cats took a 15-8 lead after the first quarter and then held Paola to just four points in the second quarter. Louisburg led 28-12 at halftime.

Ross was a big part of the Louisburg success as she finished with a double-double to end her regular season home career. She finished with a team-high 14 points and had 10 rebounds.

Baker was second on the team with eight points. Prettyman had a strong performance under the basket with seven points, eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.

With the Lady Cats’ recent success, they have shot up the Class 4A standings and are currently in the mix for the No. 4 seed, which would allow them to host the upcoming sub-state tournament.

Even with all that success, the Lady Cats (13-6) will need to win one more to stay in contention for a top four seed. Louisburg will travel to Harrisonville (Mo.) tonight for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in its regular season finale.

Along with all that, it will also be a special night for Lane. Her sister, BryAnn Middleton, is the Harrisonville head coach and Lane is excited for the opportunity to go up against her big sister.

“It will be a fun game for my family,” Lane said. “Harrisonville won its last game to make them conference champs, so they are having a great season. I think it will be a defensive battle.

“We both coach very similar philosophies, so I think the game will come down to who can take care of the basketball and finish in the lane.”

LOU 15 13 11 8 — 47

PAO 8 4 10 17 — 39

LOUISBURG (13-6): Adyson Ross 6-14 2-2 14; Ava Baker 4-5 0-1 8; Emma Prettyman 3-7 1-3 7; Emma Lohse 2-2 0-0 4; Ashley Branine 2-6 0-0 4; Brianne Kuhlman 1-4 2-2 4; Delanie Tally 1-12 1-2 4; Ashlyn Kuhlman 0-0 2-2 2. Totals: 19-51 8-12 47. 3-point field goals: 1, (Tally)

Louisburg freshman Colin Brown finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly Saturday at the Class 5-1A state swim meet in Lenexa. Brown became the school’s first state medalist in boys swim.

LENEXA — For the first time in its four years of existence, Louisburg found its way up to the podium of the Class 5-1A state boys swim meet.

Wildcat freshman Colin Brown earned the school’s first state medal in boys swimming Saturday at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center in Lenexa. 

Brown recorded a time of 56.46 seconds in the finals of the 100-yard butterfly to take eighth overall. He swam a season-best time of 55.85 in the preliminaries Friday to garner a spot in the finals.

“Colin’s swim in the medal finals on Saturday was so fun to watch,” coach Mary Argeropoulos said. “Hardware from state is not easy to earn and he did a marvelous job all season working toward that final.”

In all, Louisburg sent four swimmers to the state meet in Brown, Brayton Brueggen, Colton Prettyman and Andrew Jamison and the Wildcats turned in several times that earned spots in the consolation finals. As team, the Wildcats finished 15th overall with 44 points.

The OZ-PA-LOU team also had swimmers from Paola and Osawatomie that swam in the consolation finals in Paola’s Landen Terflinger and Osawatomie’s Luke Hebert.

“We were thrilled to represent OzPaLou at state this season,” Argeropoulos said. “The boys worked so hard and it definitely paid off. We are so proud of their season and final performances at state. Each swimmer had at least one personal best time and competed fiercely in the pool.”

The 200 medley relay of Brueggen, Brown, Jamison and Prettyman set a new personal best Friday in the prelims, only to set another one Saturday in the consolation finals.

The Wildcat quartet finished 10th overall with a time of 1:48.26 and set the tone for a successful day.

In the consolation finals of the 200 freestyle, Brown finished 13th overall in 1:52.62 seconds and Terflinger was 16th in 1:57.70. Terflinger was also 11th in the 500 freestyle in 5:20.

Jamison improved on his time in the 100 breaststroke as he took 12th overall in the consolation finals in 1:05.83. Prettyman just missed out on the finals as he took 18th in 1:06.81, while Jamison missed the finals of the 200 individual medley and finished 17th in 2:11.52

Hebert scored points for the Osawatomie side as he took 12th in the 100 butterfly in 56.37.

The 400 freestyle relay Brueggen, Jamison, Brown and Prettyman ended the meet strong. After advancing to the consolation finals Friday, the team improved their time Saturday.

Louisburg finished 12th in the event with a time of 3:33.73. It was the end to what was an historic season for Louisburg boys swim.

“There were so many fun aspects of the state meet but perhaps my favorite was watching these young men support, cheer for, console, push and encourage one another each and every practice and meet,” Argeropoulos said. “We are looking forward to the 2023-2024 season.”

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week 10 of the winter sports season, sponsored by Edward Jones-Craig Holtzen.

ELIJAH ESLINGER, SENIOR, WRESTLING

Louisburg senior Elijah Eslinger has been perfect the last month on the wrestling mat and that continued Saturday at the Class 4A regional tournament in Baldwin. Eslinger won the 285-pound regional title with a 3-0 record and recorded a pair of pins in the process. A week prior, Eslinger also took home the Frontier League heavyweight crown.

Eslinger, who captured a state medal last season, is looking to do so again this weekend in Salina. He is currently ranked No. 4 in the state with a 38-5 record and has recorded nine pins in the last month.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the winter season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.

Previous winners

Week 1: Adyson Ross

Week 2: Colin Brown

Week 3: Colyer Wingfield

Week 4: Kaven Bartlett

Week 5: Trace Eslinger

Week 6: Jay McCaskill

Week 7: Andrew Jamison

Week 8: Brianne Kuhlman

Week 9: Colton Prettyman

Louisburg senior Kaven Bartlett celebrates after winning the 138-pound regional crown Saturday during the Class 4A regional tournament at Baldwin.

BALDWIN CITY — In what was their most important tournament of the season, several Louisburg wrestlers put together their best performance.

The Wildcats qualified six for state following Saturday’s Class 4A regional wrestling tournament at Baldwin. The top four in each weight class earn a state bid.

Seniors Kaven Bartlett (138 pounds) and Elijah Eslinger (285) earned regional titles, while sophomore Jay McCaskill (157) finished as a regional runner-up. Junior J’Lee Collins (126) and sophomore Ashton Moore (175) took third, while senior Trace Eslinger (215) came in fourth.

Almost all them had revenge on their minds as four of them avenged a loss from earlier in the season. As as team, the Wildcats finished fifth in the regional standings with 117 points.

“I think the team was ready to go Saturday, and they wrestled beyond their potential in so many cases,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “We’ve taken six to state seven times in our program’s history, and it’s the third most we’ve taken. 

“Quite a few of our qualifiers ended up getting revenge wins on Saturday — J’Lee against his Baldwin opponent in the first round, Kaven against his Holton opponent in the finals, Ashton against his Perry-Lecompton opponent in the blood round, and Trace against his Ottawa opponent in the blood round. The regional tournament is such a sweet time to get a revenge win.”

Bartlett’s revenge win was a big one as he squared off with Holton’s Cale Hein in the finals. The Louisburg senior lost to Hein less than a month ago at the Baldwin Invitational.

In the same gym as that loss, Bartlett got the regional title with a 2-1 decision that came down to the final seconds as Bartlett was able to hold Hein down on a late scramble.

“Last year I fell short of becoming a regional champ in the finals so finally getting it this year felt amazing,” Bartlett said. “Last time I wrestled the Holton kid I was still recovering from my messed up hip and I wasn’t 100 percent. This time around was different. I was fully healed and ready for anything he threw at me.”

Elijah Eslinger dominated the heavyweight division as he earned the No. 1 seed and he showed why. Elijah pinned Santa Fe Trail’s Alex Strother in 1:14 in the first round and followed it up with a 3-0 decision of Topeka-Hayden’s Hunter Diederich in the semifinals.

In the finals, Elijah took care of business with a 37 second pin of Tonganoxie’s Gavin Rhoads.

After finishing seventh at the Husky Invitational a month ago, Eslinger hasn’t lost a match and is ready for the challenge of state.

“To me, qualifying for the state tournament is exciting and I am ready to go to Salina,” Elijah said. “After I did so poorly for the BVNW tournament, I think that set a fire under me that helped me win these last tournaments. Ultimately though, I want to do better than I did last year at state.”

McCaskill earned a spot in the regional championship for the first time in his career despite dealing with an injury that forced him to miss three weeks of competition prior to regionals.

The Louisburg sophomore opened with a 30 second pin of Baldwin’s Brayden Hirschmann, and then earned a state bid with another 30-second pin in the semifinals against Eudora’s Mason Cox.

McCaskill found himself against Tonganoxie’s Gannon Sonntag in the finals, but lost a 6-0 decision. Despite the loss, McCaskill is looking forward to state.

“It meant a lot to qualify especially after losing by one point in the blood round last season,” McCaskill said. “I feel like I have been wrestling pretty well, especially compared to last year, but I still have a lot of room to grow and improve being only a sophomore.”

Collins battled his way through the 126-pound bracket as he went 3-1 on the day to earn a state bid. He opened with a 14-5 major decision over Baldwin’s Gunnar Reichard after losing to him earlier in the season, before falling 18-4 to Holton’s Asher Larsen in the semifinals.

The Louisburg junior bounced back nicely with a 44 second pin of Ottawa’s Colton Ray in the consolation semifinals to earn a state bid. He ended his day with an 11-8 decision over Santa Fe Trail’s Blake Slavin in the third place match.

“I would have to say the moment I found I won the match that had qualified me for state I was ecstatic,” Collins said. “Qualifying has been my goal all season and after taking sixth at league I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to do it.”

Moore also found his way to the semifinals of 175 pounds after a late pin of Eudora’s Braedon Speer in the quarterfinals. He then squared off with Wellsville’s David Signs in the semifinals, where he fell by a 2-0 decision.

The Louisburg sophomore punched his ticket to state as he got a 6-3 decision over Perry-Lecompton’s Christian Conklin in the blood round. Moore lost to Conklin less than a month ago at the Baldwin Invitational after he was just coming back from an injury.

Moore went on to finish third by injury default as Speer was unable to compete in the third place match.

“Qualifying for state meant a lot to me,” Moore said. “Qualifying for state is a goal I have for myself every year and it felt great to be able to do it.”

As for Trace Eslinger, his state bid was years in the making and one that saw him battle through injuries the last two years. 

Now healthy, Eslinger got that chance. After a loss to Baldwin’s Conner Murry in the quarterfinals, Trace battled back to record two straight pins to reach the blood round.

It was there that Trace avenged a loss and got a state bid at the same time as he recorded a 6-2 decision of Ottawa’s Cooper Stone. Trace later fell to Murry again in the third place match, but that didn’t let that dampen his excitement.

“Qualifying for state means a lot to me,” Trace said. “It has been a goal of mine since freshman year and after losing two seasons to injuries and giving up 25 pounds I feel like I’ve really earned this.”

Even with all the excitement, the Wildcats still left with some disappointment, especially when it came to sophomore Brayden Yoder.

The Louisburg 190-pounder battled throughout the day. After losing a 3-1 decision to open the day to the regional runner-up in Jeff West’s Keaton Shelman, he held on to win a 2-1 overtime decision of Tage Skocny from Santa Fe Trail.

Yoder then pinned Royal Valley’s Cyrus Harding, which set up a blood round match against Wellsville’s Carter Wilmarth. Yoder found himself ahead in the third period, only to have a questionable call change all that.

The Louisburg sophomore forced overtime, before falling in a 6-5 decision. 

“Brayden’s blood round loss was absolutely heart-breaking,” Bovaird said. “I hate to see a kid lose the way he did. There was a controversial situation where his opponent scored a reversal and in the scramble, Brayden’s hand got caught in the kid’s singlet. The referee stopped the match, and at the time, we thought Brayden would be winning 5-4 and that he would just be giving up a penalty point for grabbing the singlet. After the head official conferred with his assistant, they awarded a two-point nearfall because he had a ‘silent count’ in his head and they felt that the singlet grabbing prevented the Wellsville kid from getting back points.

“I’ve never seen that sort of call happen like this, and the frustrating thing is that the referee never once signaled nearfall — not even a 1-count. It was a scramble in which Brayden’s hand got caught. The referee waited nearly 10 seconds before stopping the match to confer with his assistant. Going back and watching the film, the hand getting caught in the singlet had nothing to do with Brayden fighting off his back. It’s just frustrating that things went down that way, but at the same time, Brayden gave it everything he had. He went through the overtime periods like a warrior and battled it out.”

For the six Wildcats whose seasons are still alive, the will compete at the Class 4A Kansas State Wrestling Championships starting at 10 a.m. on Friday and the tournament continues through Saturday in Salina.

106

Will Showalter (14-26) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Quarterfinal – Maverick Hug (Holton) 21-15 won by decision over Will Showalter (Louisburg) 14-26 (Dec 5-2)
• Cons. Round 1 – Luke Owings (Wellsville) 16-21 won by major decision over Will Showalter (Louisburg) 14-26 (MD 10-2)

113

Broden Vargo (2-17) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Quarterfinal – Jayden Westgate (Baldwin) 29-9 won by fall over Broden Vargo (Louisburg) 2-17 (Fall 0:28)
• Cons. Round 1 – Cesar Sandoval (Holton) 15-18 won by fall over Broden Vargo (Louisburg) 2-17 (Fall 2:06)

120

Keegan Rogers (7-22) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Matthew Tracy (Hoyt-Royal Valley) 21-14 won by fall over Keegan Rogers (Louisburg) 7-22 (Fall 1:37)
• Cons. Round 1 – Keegan Rogers (Louisburg) 7-22 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 2 – Clayton Crookham (Tonganoxie) 18-18 won by fall over Keegan Rogers (Louisburg) 7-22 (Fall 1:47)

126

J`Lee Collins (22-17) placed 3rd and scored 15.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – J`Lee Collins (Louisburg) 22-17 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – J`Lee Collins (Louisburg) 22-17 won by major decision over Gunnar Reichard (Baldwin) 22-19 (MD 14-5)
• Semifinal – Asher Larsen (Holton) 27-10 won by major decision over J`Lee Collins (Louisburg) 22-17 (MD 18-4)
• Cons. Semi – J`Lee Collins (Louisburg) 22-17 won by fall over Colton Ray (Ottawa) 16-21 (Fall 0:44)
• 3rd Place Match – J`Lee Collins (Louisburg) 22-17 won by decision over Blake Slavin (Carbondale-Santa Fe Trail) 25-14 (Dec 11-8)

132

Mika McKitrick (13-24) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Mika McKitrick (Louisburg) 13-24 won by fall over Carson Bell (Wellsville) 12-13 (Fall 1:37)
• Quarterfinal – Braeden Moore (Tonganoxie) 32-1 won by fall over Mika McKitrick (Louisburg) 13-24 (Fall 0:31)
• Cons. Round 2 – Mika McKitrick (Louisburg) 13-24 won by fall over Gavin Akin (Hoyt-Royal Valley) 16-14 (Fall 1:26)
• Cons. Round 3 – Trevor Kaub (Ottawa) 20-14 won by fall over Mika McKitrick (Louisburg) 13-24 (Fall 1:46)

138

Kaven Bartlett (36-4) placed 1st and scored 21.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Kaven Bartlett (Louisburg) 36-4 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Kaven Bartlett (Louisburg) 36-4 won by major decision over Ethan Williams (Baldwin) 25-18 (MD 16-5)
• Semifinal – Kaven Bartlett (Louisburg) 36-4 won by decision over Koy Randel (Wellsville) 19-19 (Dec 8-3)
• 1st Place Match – Kaven Bartlett (Louisburg) 36-4 won by decision over Cale Hein (Holton) 30-11 (Dec 4-1)

144

Colin Robinson (4-18) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Alex Clobes (Eudora) 12-18 won by fall over Colin Robinson (Louisburg) 4-18 (Fall 3:59)
• Cons. Round 1 – Colin Robinson (Louisburg) 4-18 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 2 – Bennett Minnick (Perry-Lecompton) 18-25 won by tech fall over Colin Robinson (Louisburg) 4-18 (TF-1.5 3:57 (16-1))

157

Jay McCaskill (24-7) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Jay McCaskill (Louisburg) 24-7 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Jay McCaskill (Louisburg) 24-7 won by fall over Brayden Hirschmann (Baldwin) 11-12 (Fall 0:30)
• Semifinal – Jay McCaskill (Louisburg) 24-7 won by fall over Mason Cox (Eudora) 22-15 (Fall 0:30)
• 1st Place Match – Gannon Sonntag (Tonganoxie) 19-10 won by decision over Jay McCaskill (Louisburg) 24-7 (Dec 6-0)

165

Vance Hahn (2-29) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Vance Hahn (Louisburg) 2-29 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Colton Brusven (Tonganoxie) 26-9 won by fall over Vance Hahn (Louisburg) 2-29 (Fall 0:34)
• Cons. Round 2 – Vance Hahn (Louisburg) 2-29 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 – John Sink (Ottawa) 18-14 won by fall over Vance Hahn (Louisburg) 2-29 (Fall 3:33)

175

Ashton Moore (18-6) placed 3rd and scored 16.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Ashton Moore (Louisburg) 18-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Ashton Moore (Louisburg) 18-6 won by fall over Braedon Speer (Eudora) 21-9 (Fall 5:46)
• Semifinal – David Signs (Wellsville) 32-3 won by decision over Ashton Moore (Louisburg) 18-6 (Dec 2-0)
• Cons. Semi – Ashton Moore (Louisburg) 18-6 won by decision over Christian Conklin (Perry-Lecompton) 28-9 (Dec 6-3)
• 3rd Place Match – Ashton Moore (Louisburg) 18-6 won by injury default over Braedon Speer (Eudora) 21-9 (Inj. 0:00)

190

Brayden Yoder (32-14) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Brayden Yoder (Louisburg) 32-14 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Keaton Shelman (Meriden-Jefferson West) 21-6 won by decision over Brayden Yoder (Louisburg) 32-14 (Dec 3-1)
• Cons. Round 2 – Brayden Yoder (Louisburg) 32-14 won in tie breaker – 1 over Tage Skocny (Carbondale-Santa Fe Trail) 13-21 (TB-1 2-1)
• Cons. Round 3 – Brayden Yoder (Louisburg) 32-14 won by fall over Cyrus Harding (Hoyt-Royal Valley) 24-16 (Fall 2:14)
• Cons. Semi – Carter Wilmarth (Wellsville) 37-8 won in tie breaker – 1 over Brayden Yoder (Louisburg) 32-14 (TB-1 6-5)

215

Trace Eslinger (24-19) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Conner Murry (Baldwin) 28-13 won by fall over Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 (Fall 0:54)
• Cons. Round 2 – Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 won by fall over Branden Gregory (Eudora) 2-24 (Fall 0:40)
• Cons. Round 3 – Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 won by fall over Mason Charvat (Topeka-Hayden) 7-14 (Fall 1:28)
• Cons. Semi – Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 won by decision over Cooper Stone (Ottawa) 12-8 (Dec 6-2)
• 3rd Place Match – Conner Murry (Baldwin) 28-13 won by fall over Trace Eslinger (Louisburg) 24-19 (Fall 1:49)

285

Elijah Eslinger (38-5) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Elijah Eslinger (Louisburg) 38-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Elijah Eslinger (Louisburg) 38-5 won by fall over Alex Strother (Carbondale-Santa Fe Trail) 9-5 (Fall 1:14)
• Semifinal – Elijah Eslinger (Louisburg) 38-5 won by decision over Hunter Diederich (Topeka-Hayden) 10-5 (Dec 3-0)
• 1st Place Match – Elijah Eslinger (Louisburg) 38-5 won by fall over Gavin Rhoads (Tonganoxie) 20-15 (Fall 0:37)

Louisburg senior Layne Ryals signed his letter of intent earlier this month to play football at Missouir S&T this coming fall.

Kicking a football is nothing new to Layne Ryals. It is something he has done for most of his young life.

Ryals doesn’t appear to stopping anytime soon, either.

During a signing ceremony on Feb.1, Ryals made it official in front of family and friends at Louisburg High School. Ryals signed his letter of intent to play football for Missouri S&T.

“It is a dream I have had since I started playing in the second grade,” Ryals said of the opportunity to play college football. “It is really surreal and it has all happened really quickly.”

The Louisburg senior was one of the top kickers – not only in the Frontier League — but in the state as well. Ryals earned all-league and all-state kicking honors following the Wildcats’ season that ended with a Frontier League championship.

Ryals nailed 5 of 7 field goal attempts this past season, to go along with 38 of 39 extra point attempts. He made several big kicks for the Wildcats throughout the year.

“Layne was a huge part of who we were over the last few years,” Louisburg football coach Drew Harding said. “Obviously, Layne was a really good specialist for us handling all kicking duties but he was also a really good defensive player for us. He was the brains of our defense a lot of times and we will definitely miss him in that aspect for sure. 

“I’m very excited for Layne to kick at Missouri S&T.  This is something he has worked hard at for a long time and I know he was interested in going there from the start.”

Kicking is something Ryals has worked at for years, ever since he was out practicing in his front yard with a pretty special coach.

“When I first got into football, my mom (Janelle) was also playing football at the time and she was the kicker for the team,” Ryals said. “I grew up in a soccer family and it has always been something that I have practiced and worked at. 

“We used to practice kickoffs in the front yard. When we first started when I was little, they would go about 10 yards. Obviously, it went a little further as I got older.”

Ryals registered several touchbacks during the high school season and didn’t give the opponent a chance to return kicks on a regular basis.

He hopes to do the same for Missouri S&T, a Division II program based out of Rolla, Mo.

“They said I had a good chance of playing as a freshman — kicking and punting,” Ryals said “I definitely have to work at it because there is always going to be competition. I hope to be able to do something as freshman, whether it is just kickoffs, punting or just field goals. I know I need to put in a lot of work for that.”

The Louisburg senior visited a few schools, and sent tapes to others in hopes of garnering interest following his junior season. He spent time attending camps, or just working on his own with his long snapper and holder — J.R. Rooney and Corbin Hamman. 

All that led to an opportunity with Missouri S&T, which seemed to be the perfect fit for Ryals and his educational career.

“I want to use my football skills to help pay for a good education that I can use in my future,” Ryals said. “I wasn’t looking for anything crazy. I knew that engineering is what I wanted to do so I looked at about every D-1 and D-2 engineering school in the Midwest. Went to camps all summer and Missouri S&T was the one that showed the most interest in me and believed in me.

“S&T is one of the top engineering schools in the United States. The campus in beautiful and all the buildings are super advanced. The coaching staff is great and they had a pretty good season last year. They have a lot of good players coming up too so it should be fun.”