Damon Dennis, and his wife Karla, pose for quick picture during a timeout at a Louisburg High School basketball game Dennis was announcing. Dennis, who is better known as Doc D, is handing over his business at Louisburg Chiropractic Office to Dr. Jacob Polzin and is stepping away as the LHS team doctor after 28 years of service. His last day at the office is tomorrow (Saturday).

Almost every day of the week, if you were looking for Damon Dennis, he could be found at his office on 11 S. Broadway St., helping treat those pesky aches and pains, taking X-rays, or mending those beaten up athletes after a game.

Doc D – as he his affectionately known – opened Louisburg Chiropractic Office 28 years ago and has served as the Louisburg High School athletic team doctor for almost that same amount of time.

Dennis has seen it all. The walls in his office are lined with mementos from his years of service to both the community and the high school.

He has taped thousands of ankles, seen even more patients and has touched many lives during his time in Louisburg. That is why this week is one of the more emotional times in his life.

On Saturday, he will officially leave Louisburg Chiropractic Office and hand the reins over to Dr. Jake Polzin. Add to that, Dennis is also stepping away as LHS’ team doctor and will leave an absence on the sidelines and behind the mic that many in Louisburg have come to know.

“My decision to step down and sell the practice has turned out to be the hardest thing I have ever done,” Dennis said. “I have poured everything I have into my job and community. It has become my entire existence. I was taught from a young age to serve others and your community. I feel like the pressures I have put on myself have become unhealthy. I have put about 40 years work in to 28 and feel like there is never going to be a good time to make such a huge life change. 

“That being said, I feel like I need to make changes while I am still able to do the things that will be best for my family. Dr. Polzin came along and I think he will carry on the work at the office wonderfully. We are a lot alike in many ways. I could not have found anyone better to replace me.”

For many, Dennis has been a big part of people’s lives, especially in the athletic arena. He has served as the LHS team doctor since 1992 and has treated many athletes in those 28 years.

During the school year, Dennis would leave his place of business every day after 3 to go to the high school to tape up athletes from all different sports and made sure they were all ready to go for practice. After that was over, he would rush back to his office to finish the day treating his patients.

It would be hectic life for some, but it is one that he has treasured for the last nearly three decades.

“My time in practice has been a blessing,” Dennis said. “I truly care about all of the patients and people in the community that I have been involved with. I have tried to be a positive impact on the town through my involvement in different organizations. As with any business, there are bumps in the road. I genuinely appreciate everyone who has had a positive impact on me through these years. 

“I have poured my heart and soul in to every aspect of my business and involvement in the community, sometimes at the sacrifice of my wife, Karla. I am eternally grateful for her patience and love. Part of the reason why I am handing over the reigns is that I have a lot of making up for time to do.”

Dennis and his family have made a lot of sacrifices during his time and many of the Wildcat coaches – both former and present – appreciate what he has done for them and their players.

“As far as what he has meant to the community, it is immeasurable,” longtime former coach Gary Griffin said. “He came in the first year and made himself available to all the coaches and was there for whatever the kids needed from the medical stuff, to a new pair of shoes, or money to go to a team dinner. He was even there to lend an ear to a kid that was having issues from girlfriends, teacher issues or problems at home.

“For me personally, he was a cheerleader when times were not good, he was an advocate for kids when I didn’t always know what was going on behind the scenes. I trusted Doc like he was a member of the coaching staff. I told him a lot of things in confidence so I could get his advice knowing it would not go any further. As far as the community goes, he is a pillar and he is involved in everything and is held in high regards by most. It is really hard for Doc to tell anyone no, so most of his days are longer than just his office hours. Doc is going to be missed in so many ways. He is a very humble man and he is very deserving of slowing down and enjoying the fruits of his labor.”

A Small Beginning

Back in June of 1992 is when Dennis began to plant his roots in the town he would begin to call home.

Dennis purchased the small satellite office from Dr. Larry Fulk, who at the time also had a practice in Paola. Dennis was less than a year out of school and was eager to get involved in the Louisburg community.

Two months later, Dennis reached out to then Louisburg High School administrator Doug Chisam and asked if he could serve as the team’s doctor – free of charge. Since August of 1992, Louisburg High School would not be the same.

Dennis made trips over to the high school for treatment and would also follow many of the team’s to their games after work was over. It was a life that would go on to create many memories.

“Jim Knox, Don Meek and Doug Chisam were all very supportive and I am forever in their debt,” Dennis said. “I started out just going to all games, home and away, and every sport that I could.  At that time I was in the office from 6 am to 7 pm and then off to games 3-4 nights a week. The things I have always enjoyed about being the team doctor was the kids and the coaches. High school athletes have not changed since day one. They want someone who cares about and shows interest in what they are doing. I am still close with a lot of the students who have come through the high school and will continue to be. 

“My role evolved over the years. I began doing all the taping before practice and games, Impact testing, announcing basketball and other roles as the coaches requested. I enjoy helping others and that is how my role evolved in to so many other areas. Over the years, the coaches have included me and I will always be grateful to them for allowing me to be a part of the experience.”

His role got even bigger when the new high school was built and Dennis was asked if he would like to announce basketball games. He certainly didn’t mind having a mic in his hand and loved playing off the crowd and making sure the athletes felt a little extra special.

“We had a girls’ tournament and Dave Tappan asked me if I would announce the game,” Dennis said. “He thought it would be a nice touch to have an announcer. I am not sure he ever asked me to continue, I just did it. I had to be at games anyway and I like to talk, so it worked out. Dave never said to quit, so I just kept doing it.

“I really did enjoy that. I would try to throw in a little funny once and awhile just to see if people were listening. Dottie Cook had a birthday every game night for several years. Knowing the kids so well, it was fun to add their middle name or nickname at the game.”

Tappan, who is currently the USD 416 assistant superintendent, worked as the LHS activities director and principal during many of Dennis’ years in Louisburg and the two became quick friends.

With that, Tappan is well aware of Dennis’ work ethic and commitment to Louisburg athletics. In fact, he has seen it firsthand.

“Most people know that Doc doesn’t take vacations very often,” Tappan said. “In fact, it usually takes a team of us to get him out of the office for more than a day. But in 2010, he and Karla scheduled a trip over Thanksgiving break to Chicago. Well, that was also the year of our run to the state football championship and there was no way he was going to miss it. In typical Doc D fashion, he lined things up to perfection. He takes a 5 a.m. flight from Chicago to Kansas City, has Karla drive him to the Legends off of I-70 and at about 6:30 I’m picking him up and we beat the team to Salina. When the bus finally rolls in, he looks at Coach (Gary) Griffin with a grin and says, ‘What took you so long?’ About four hours later we were celebrating a championship.

“The commitment that Doc D has demonstrated over the years to the students of Louisburg schools is second to none. From the football sidelines on a Friday night in the fall, to being behind the mic in the LHS gym during basketball season, Doc always supported the students, the coaches and the administration of USD 416. I am proud to call Damon Dennis my friend.”

Beyond The Call of Duty

Running a business can be difficult enough, but when you have other responsibilities on top of all that, it can be stressful at times.

The coaches at Louisburg High School never got that when working with Doc D. Veteran and young coaches alike were amazed at the dedication he displayed.

“Doc D is one of the most honest and honorable men I have ever met,” Louisburg soccer coach Kyle Conley said. “He has donated countless hours and years for helping Louisburg student athletes. He always went out of his way to help anyone and everyone. He wasn’t always just helping players. He would always check in on the coaches as well – checking on their well-being, their teams, and their families.

“Doc always went out of his way to make someone feel important and special. He was NEVER too busy for anyone. He will be greatly missed and he is irreplaceable. Thank you Doc D for everything that you have done for my teams, my family and for myself. You are someone I am lucky enough to call a friend.”

That dedication would not only be found after school in the evenings, but even before the sun came up as well.

“Doc D will be greatly missed,” Louisburg volleyball coach Jessica Compliment said. “He unselfishly devoted many hours to our athletes and was always a phone call or a text away. I can’t count how many times he would meet myself and an athlete or two at the school at 5:30 a.m. prior to departure for a volleyball tournament. Not only was he a great role model and mentor for the athletes, but he served as a great mentor to a young coach for the past 14 years. He will be greatly missed by many.”

However, where Dennis is most recognized was on the football sidelines. He did anything from tending to injured athletes, mentoring future trainers and handing out free food or candy to the student section before certain games.

It wasn’t gone unnoticed as many around the school and community know what Doc D has meant to the district.

“If Louisburg had a Mt. Rushmore, Damon would definitely be up there,” Louisburg graduate and longtime coach Jeff Lohse said. “Doc is one of the most selfless people that I know. He was always more than willing to help anyone out and never expected anything in return. I consider Doc to be a great friend of mine and this is definitely bittersweet. I wish him and Karla nothing but the best as they open up this new chapter in their lives. Damon will be missed but his legacy in Louisburg will live on forever.”

Dennis always made sure to welcome the new coaches to the district and made them feel a part of the family and that was the case with boys basketball coach Ty Pfannenstiel when he came to the school three years ago.

“Doc D is the most selfless man I know,” Pfannenstiel said. “What Doc gave to this school and community is unprecedented. He cared so much for all of our athletes, there’s no way we are going to be able to replace what he brought to this school. I feel bad for whoever is going to come in and try to fill his shoes – he set the bar way too high.”

Dennis has been on the sideline for many of Louisburg’s greatest athletic achievements, including three state football appearances and has watched many athletes along the way achieve great individual accomplishments.

He knows that he has been blessed to be able to be a part of Wildcat athletics in one form or another the last 28 years.

“As for favorite memories, it is not always about the wins and losses,” Dennis said. “The things I have most enjoyed is the time spent with athletes and coaches. The things that go on in the locker room, before and after games were the fun part. I have had a behind the scenes view of some pretty amazing people. 

“Obviously the 2010 state football championship is at the top of the list. We had gone to the championship twice and come home in second on two occasions. It was a great group to be around and a great experience. If I had to choose a group of kids that really stand out the most, it would be the seniors my first year here (class of 1993). They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I was appreciated. I still speak to members of that class often and consider them friends. It was a really special group. I also loved seeing kids accomplish their dreams of success. Louisburg has had its share of champions and athletes that have gone on to do some amazing things.”

In his last week at the office, Doc D has seen a lot of visitors that have come to thank him for everything he has done. Although Dennis won’t be around as much as he used to, he wants people to know that this isn’t a farewell – but more of a see you later.

“I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their kind words,” Dennis said. “There has been talk of various activities surrounding my career change that have been proposed. While I genuinely appreciate this, I don’t think I can handle the attention. My emotions have gotten the better of me and I am not sure that I can handle any celebrations publicly, unless everyone wants to see me cry.

“I am not going away. I just won’t be at 11 South Broadway or at the high school every day. Thank you to everyone that has supported me as I have made every effort to support my community.”

No, Doc – thank you…

Kansas high school sports has been absent since the middle of March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that all could change very soon.

During its board of directors meeting earlier this month, the Kansas State High School Activities Association made a change to its summer regulations. Starting on June 1, school employed coaches may begin summer programs as long as it is permitted by the community’s health authorities and the school district.

Coaches at Louisburg High School are making plans to move forward beginning the first of June, but they must meet some guidelines to do so.

In the first two calendar weeks in June, athletes will need to attend a conditioning session each day. Those must be completed to be able to participate in a coach’s camp or organized competition.

If an athlete is playing football, they must complete an extra five days of conditioning before being able to participate in competition.

The first two weeks of conditioning sessions will not involve weights, indoor facilities or sporting equipment to ensure safety. Masks will be optional at workouts, but six feet of distance will be in place along with no more than the 90 gathering restriction under the phase 3 guidelines put out by the state.

Then on June 15, barring no setbacks, conditioning will include indoor weight sessions and indoor facilities will be allowed. Coaches will also be able to hold camps and competition throughout the summer.

“I think the guidelines were set to help ensure the safety of all student athletes accords the state, along with their physical health as well as the preparation for the season,” Louisburg football coach Robert Ebenstein said. “Challenges may be there, but overall they are irrelevant as all the teams in the state have to follow the same guidelines. Our school administrators have been very supportive throughout this process.”

Along with the new changes, KSHSAA also lifted the moratorium period at the end of the summer and will allow teams to practice all the way up to the beginning of the school year. Fall sports, however, will take precedence from Aug. 1 through Aug. 15.

For some programs, the changes won’t be much different as what they have experienced in the past, other than practicing social distancing through the first two weeks of conditioning.

“We are still allowed to compete in leagues and camps after all athletes have completed 10 days of conditioning/training,” Louisburg volleyball coach Jessica Compliment said. “Our summer weights program is changing some this summer, so it gives the players a chance to acclimate back into workouts before putting a ball in their hands.

“When you really look at the schedule, we lost the first two weeks in June (in terms of volleyball skill work), but we gained the moratorium week and have full contact until August 16. The fall season starts on August 17. Normally, we can’t have contact, outside of weights and conditioning, after mid-July. This actually gives us about four weeks on the back end of summer to work with the athletes.”

Still, the new-look summer won’t be without its challenges – especially in the first 10 days of the summer calendar. However, the coaches and athletes will gladly work around the new rules in order to get back together and competing again.

“I think the new guidelines will help kids get back to some normalcy as long as everything continues to get better, but the six feet of social distancing could be challenging when you are coaching a team sport,” Louisburg soccer coach Kyle Conley said. “We will find a way to overcome these challenges and help the kids develop as much as possible.”

Coaches have already altered their camp schedules for the summer, and that information, along with a list of camps, can be found here.

As for Louisburg cross country, the runners will also be going through a conditioning period like everyone else. They will meet at the football practice field at 7 a.m. for an hour every morning beginning June 1 and that will continue through the summer.

Since school has been out since the middle of March, coaches have tried to find a way to stay in touch with their players – and like with online schooling – the zoom platform has been a big help for coaches.

“Football has been doing online zoom workout together for those currently in high school every Monday, Wednesday and Friday while we have been out of school, so I have still been seeing them and they have been doing some cardio,” Ebenstein said. “We have as normal of a summer planned as possible. We will have our weights sessions, our team camp, review/skills night, and we will have our contact camp that KSHSAA is allowing.”

With everything going on around the state and the country, everything is still in limbo and dates could have to be altered once again depending on what local officials decide. Even with all that, the coaches believe there will be a fall season.

“I am confident our fall season will be played,” Conley said “It may have some things that are different, but we will play. I know that the boys are very anxious in having conversations with some of them.”

Many of the coaches and players are just ready to return to some kind of routine following the spread of COVID-19 and they hope sports can give that to them.

“As of right now, our season is scheduled, and we’ll plan accordingly if told differently,” Compliment said. “But for right now, (activities director Michael) Pickman has stressed that for most of the athletes, a return to summer weights/conditioning/activities will be their first taste of ‘normalcy.’ I’m excited to get back at it and see the athletes and students again.”

Michael Pickman (left) was hired as Louisburg High School’s new activities director and assistant principal last week following the USD Board of Education meeting. Current Louisburg AD, Scott Hinkle (right), will move to the middle school to serve in the same capacity starting next school year.

Louisburg High School will have a little different look to its activities department for the 2020-21 school year.

Following the USD 416 Board of Education meeting on April 13, Michael Pickman was hired to serve as the school’s new assistant principal and activities director. Pickman will replace Scott Hinkle, who has been in that position for the last two years.

Hinkle will remain in the district and will move over to the middle school to serve in the same capacity.

“I had known for a while that I wanted to continue my education by getting a second master’s degree, but I didn’t really know which area,” Pickman said. “I talked with current administration and was both inspired and encouraged to explore administrative leadership. This is the job I wanted because it meant staying in Louisburg and continuing to work with the staff and coaches who I know have, can and will achieve great things when it comes to our students and student athletes.

“We are a Louisburg family and I want my daughter in the Louisburg community and school system, so I wouldn’t have done this anywhere else. The atmosphere from district leadership to the building leadership is top notch and I am ready to grow as an educator and work alongside (principal) Jeremy (Holloway) and the administrative staff at the high school and the amazing coaches and support them.”

Pickman has taught English at the high school for the last seven years and has also worked in the Prairie View, West Franklin and Maur Hill Prep school districts.

He has also spent a lot of time in the athletic arena as he has served as the Wildcat boys and girls soccer assistant coach, alongside head coach Kyle Conley, for the last five-plus years.

“It will be tough to give up all aspects of it, but the magic of these soccer programs will be especially difficult,” Pickman said. “Kyle has been an amazing person to coach with and his passion is contagious. Getting to start the girls program with him and the immediate success has been amazing. State finals and big wins and the atmosphere – some don’t ever get to experience that – and lastly the players, both boys and girls who have graduated and those who remain to carry on the greatness are why I said yes to coaching. They make the whole experience amazing and fun.

“So it will be hard, but I would also not have gone anywhere else to do a different job and so I will still be able to support the soccer players and every other student and athlete through my new opportunity and to do so the Wildcat Way.”

As for Hinkle, he spent the last two years as the LHS activities director after coming from Liberal High School. He is excited that his new position at the middle school will allow him to spend more time with family.

“I really enjoyed my time at the high school, even though it was only two years,” Hinkle said. “I am leaving behind a great workplace with a great culture and an unbelievable staff. It was not an easy decision.  

“I made the move to the middle school to get back some evenings and weekends. I have been an athletic director for 11 years at the high school level in my career, and I was ready to free up some time. I know I am joining another great staff at LMS, and look forward to the new challenge ahead of me.”  

Louisburg sophomore Julian Margrave was a unanimous selection to the All-Frontier League first team and was one of three Wildcats to be named to the team.

The Frontier League was one of the
better leagues in the state in Class 4A as it sent two teams to the state
tournament this past season.

Among them were several talented
players and Louisburg had three players recognized on the all-league list that
came out last weekend – among them was one of the best players in the league.

Sophomore Julian Margrave earned
first-team honors, while juniors Weston Guetterman and Ben Guetterman were both
named to the honorable mention squad for a Wildcat team that finished their
season with an 8-13 record.

“This is the best our team has been represented in my three years so I’m pleased,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “When Piper, Bonner, and Tongie joined the league last year, that made it even tougher to make the all-league teams, so it’s impressive that we were well represented. I thought Julian, Weston and Ben all had great seasons and were very deserving.

“I’m glad the coaches of this league
recognized them for that. These things just don’t happen. These kids work
for it. When your best players are your hardest workers, you’re always
going to have a chance. Our expectations are high for next year and I look
forward to continue working with these guys.”

Margrave was a unanimous selection for the
first team among the league coaches and was among the top scorers in the league.
As a sophomore, Margrave averaged 16.3 points a game to go along with seven
rebounds.

“Julian
had an incredible year,” Pfannenstiel said. “He meant a lot to our team,
especially on the offensive side, so for him to take on that role as a
sophomore and produce the way he did was very impressive. He was the
second leading scorer in the Frontier League this season, which is incredible
when you think about the great players and teams in this league.

“Julian
works hard. He’s always the last one to leave the gym every day, so it doesn’t
surprise me one bit that he had such a breakout year. Julian was a
unanimous selection for first team, so that shows you what the coaches in this
league think of him as well. I’m just glad we have him for another two
years. He’s just scratched the surface of what kind of player he is going
to develop into.”

Point
guard Weston Guetterman and shooting guard Ben Guetterman both had strong
seasons for the Wildcats as they were among the league leaders on the team in
scoring.

Weston
averaged 11.2 points, to go along with four assists and a four rebounds a game.
Ben finished the year as he averaged 11.1 points a contest and 5.5 rebounds.

“Weston was so valuable for us at the point
guard position,” Pfannenstiel said. “He was the primary ball handler for us and
did a great job of handling the defensive pressure that teams would put on us. Not
only did he control the ball for us, but he was a big scorer for us as well. He
had some big nights for us offensively and brought a lot of energy and
leadership each night.

“Ben had a big year and he is an explosive
offensive player and a very good rebounder. His biggest offensive nights were
when he had big offensive rebound numbers. Ben is a kid that when he plays with
confidence, teams have a tough time stopping him.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL

First Team

Tamar Bates, Piper, junior

Christian Arndt, Piper, senior

Julian Margrave, Louisburg,
sophomore

Trey Moala, Paola, sophomore

Kobe Johnson, Ottawa, senior

Alex Johnson, Spring Hill, senior

Second Team

Ty Shelley, Piper, senior

Rishaud Dockery, Bonner Springs,
senior

Cade Gollier, Ottawa, senior

Cooper Jones, Spring Hill, junior

Dallas Bond, Jr., Tonganoxie,
junior

Honorable mention

Dilyn Taylor Cantu, Piper, junior

Jaron Briggs, Piper, sophomore

Noah McCullough, Ottawa, sophomore

Heston Robbins, Tonganoxie, junior

Weston Guetterman, Louisburg,
junior

Ryan Weber, Spring Hill, junior

Gabe Eskina, Piper, senior

Ethan Byers, Bonner Springs,
senior

Trent Stimac, Bonner Springs,
sophomore

Ben Guetterman, Louisburg, junior

Ryan Wokutch, Paola, senior

Jordan Barth, Baldwin, senior

Matthew Garber, Baldwin, senior

Ty Abts, Eudora, junior

Noah Watkins, Eudora, senior

Tucker Shackelford, Eudora, senior

Rylee Beach, Tonganoxie, junior

Louisburg junior Weston Guetterman drives to the basket for two of his 17 points Wednesday during the Class 4A sub-state semifinal in Iola. Guetterman tied the game with three seconds left on a lay-up to send it to overtime.

IOLA – Louisburg found itself down 20 points on the road in the fourth quarter Wednesday against Iola in the Class 4A sub-state semifinals and its season looked lost.

The end of the Wildcats’ year appeared imminent – that was until they put together their best quarter of basketball all season. Louisburg scored 32 fourth quarter points and rallied to force overtime

Unfortunately for the Wildcats,
that rally didn’t extend to the extra period. Iola controlled the overtime and
ended Louisburg’s season with a 77-68 win.

“It was a tough game,” Louisburg
coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We were flat and we played poorly for three
quarters. It would have been real easy to pack it in, but we made a heck of a
comeback in the fourth quarter to give us a shot. Things just didn’t go our way
in overtime.”

Things weren’t going the Wildcats’
way through the first three quarters as Iola shot better than 55 percent from
the field, while Louisburg struggled to get things going offensively as it
scored 16 first half points. The Wildcats trailed 30-16 at halftime, despite
getting out to a 6-0 lead to start the game.

Louisburg (8-13) was behind 50-30
to start the fourth quarter and Iola was in firm control of the game, but the
early in the final period, the Wildcats were able to catch a break.

Iola point guard Calvin Delich was
issued a double technical foul and was ejected from the game, which helped give
the Wildcats new life as they began their improbable comeback.

“That was huge,” Pfannenstiel
said. “He was their point guard and we were able to get points out of it with
the clock stopped. Plus, it took out a ball handler and a key to their offense.”

The Wildcats then turned up the
pressure defensively and were able to get several key stops and force turnovers
down the stretch. The Wildcats forced 18 turnovers for the game, many of those
coming in the fourth quarter and they scored 19 points off those Iola mistakes.

Louisburg was down 57-45 midway through the quarter, but went on an 11-0 run thanks to five straight points from Julian Margrave, a basket from Garrett Rolofson and back-to-back scores from Weston Guetterman to cut the lead to one.

It was a two-point game with under
10 seconds remaining, when Guetterman drove to the basket and converted the
lay-up with three seconds left to tie the game and force overtime.

“Weston is aggressive and when he can
get downhill and get the ball to the rim he is a force in there,” Pfannenstiel
said. “He has been out with some sickness, and every timeout that we called he
was coughing in the huddle, so for him to gut it out like he did – we really
needed that. All our kids made plays to get it to overtime, but we just didn’t
quite have enough.

“We picked up some full-court
pressure and picked up some turnovers and our defense definitely sparked our
offense. We were just playing with a lot more energy. Moving forward, we have
to understand that we have to play hard for 32 minutes. Every team is good, and
every team has good players, and if you don’t execute and play with energy then
you can get yourself in a pretty big hole. We had no margin for error in the
fourth, but just fell short.”

Iola outscored the Wildcats 15-6
in the overtime to pull away as it converted at the free-throw line to seal the
win. Iola would go on to face Piper in the sub-state championship, but Piper
won 68-30 and was one of two Frontier League teams to make it to state. Ottawa
was the other team as it defeated Independence, 48-42.

Margrave helped bring the Wildcats
back as the Louisburg sophomore scored a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds.
Guetterman also finished in double figures with 17 points and added a team-high
six assists and four steals.

Rolofson, a senior, made an impact
in his final game as a Wildcat as he tallied 12 points and nine rebounds, while
junior Ben Guetterman added nine points. Fellow senior Michael Waldron also had
a team-high four steals to go along with six points.

“It’s tough,” Pfannenstiel said of
the loss. “I told the guys that I wasn’t prepared to give that (end of the
season) speech and really it is hard to find the right thing to say after a
game like that. The one thing I can say is that they are good kids and they
showed great commitment to this program. They represented and school with a lot
of character and pride. That is what we will remember the most of these guys is
what they have done for our program and their commitment to the offseason
workouts and being good kids and role models.

“We thank our seniors for
everything they have done for us and they were a big part of our program. We
also have a lot of young kids on the court and hopefully we can use this game
as motivation to get better for next year.”

LOU               10           6             14           32           6 – 68

IOLA              15           15           20           12           15 – 77

LOUISBURG (8-13): Julian Margrave
9-23 3-4 23; Weston Guetterman 6-17 4-5 17; Garrett Rolofson 4-8 3-4 12; Ben
Guetterman 3-10 2-2 9; Michael Waldron 2-9 0-0 6; Konnor Vohs 0-2 1-2 1.
Totals: 24-69 13-17 68. 3-point field goals: 7, (Waldron 2, Margrave 2, W.
Guetterman, Rolofson, B. Guetterman)

PAOLA – Despite getting off to a
good start, Friday’s game with Paola didn’t have the ending the Louisburg boys
basketball team was looking for.

The Panthers scored 40 points in
the second half and took advantage of some Wildcat miscues as they handed
Louisburg a 64-52 loss at Paola High School in the final game of the regular
season.

“It’s
always tough to lose, because there’s been so much time and effort invested in
preparing for it,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “Paola has some
explosive athletes and they made some big plays down the stretch. Defensively,
we were really good in the first half. We started the second half very poorly
which gave Paola some confidence and momentum.”

Turnovers
helped give Paola the momentum it was looking for as the Wildcats turned it
over 18 times, which led to 17 points for the Panthers. It erased a good start
for Louisburg.

The
Wildcats (8-12) took a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter and held
on to it as they led the Panthers 29-24 at halftime.

The
second half wasn’t as kind to Louisburg as the Wildcats were outscored 15-6 in
the third quarter and they weren’t able to regain the lead. Louisburg did put
up 17 points in the final frame, and eventually cut Paola’s lead to 53-49, but
it wasn’t enough as the Panthers pulled away – thanks in part to Paola’s
20-for-23 performance at the free-throw line.

“The turnovers
hurt us,” Pfannenstiel said. “Turnovers are empty possessions. You aren’t going
to win many games turning it over 18 times.  We have to do a better job of
valuing each possession. Paola shot it a lot better in the second half,
which gave them some extra energy.  We made a run there at the end, but
couldn’t get over the hump.  It was a good high school basketball
game.  We just have to make a few more plays to be able to win on the
road.”

Junior
Ben Guetterman led the Wildcats in scoring with a game-high 22 points,
including four 3-pointers, and sophomore Julian Margrave also scored in double
figures with 11. Senior Michael Waldron added eight, while junior Weston
Guetterman had seven points and seven assists.

Paola
had four players in double figures, including a team-high 17 points from Ryan
Wokutch and 14 points from Trey Moala.

Louisburg
will try and start fresh as the Wildcats earned the No. 10 seed in the Class 4A
East playoffs and will travel to No. 7 Iola for a 7 p.m. tipoff Wednesday. The winner
of that game will play the winner of No. 2 Piper and No. 15 Atchison for the
sub-state championship on Saturday.

“The postseason is always an amped up
time,” Pfannenstiel said. “Your season is on the line. In the senior’s case,
their high school career is on the line.  We have a great opportunity in
front of us and it’s moments like these that motivate us to work so hard all
year. Our kids will be ready.”

LOU               13           16           6             17 – 52

PAO               8             16           15           25 – 64

LOUISBURG (8-12): Ben Guetterman
8-14 2-3 22; Julian Margrave 3-7 4-4 11; Michael Waldron 3-6 0-0 8; Weston
Guetterman 2-8 3-4 7; Garrett Rolofson 1-5 0-0 2; Charlie Peters 1-1 0-0 2.
Totals: 18-42 9-11 52. 3-point field goals: 7, (B. Guetterman 4, Waldron 2,
Margrave)

Sophomore Maverick Rockers drives to the basket for two points after a steal Tuesday against Metro Academy at Louisburg High School.

It wasn’t the way the Louisburg
boys basketball team wanted to end its home season.

A victory against Metro Academy on
Tuesday would have given the Wildcats a chance at hosting a first-round playoff
game, but instead, they might have played their last home game of the season.

Metro Academy used a big fourth
quarter run to help pull away and hand Louisburg a 54-48 loss. The Wildcats are
now 8-11 on the season, and will need to beat Paola on Friday, along with some
other help to be able move up the seed line for the playoffs.

“We talked about what was on the
line going into this game,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “If we would
have won our last two games, then we could have hosted a first round game. Not
that it is completely out the window, but we are looking at a 9 or 10 seed
right now.”

Louisburg got out to a fast start
as it outscored Metro Academy 15-5 in the first quarter and the Wildcats
increased it to a 14-point advantage early in the second. It was then when the
Mavericks started to gain confidence.

Metro Academy finished the first
half on a 14-5 run to cut into the Louisburg lead and eventually took a small
lead early in the fourth quarter.

“I thought we were really good defensively
in the first quarter,” Pfannenstiel said. “Some of those things we struggled
with against Bonner Springs last week, we watched those on film and we were
better in that first quarter. I thought we were very disciplined, but that is a
talented Metro team. I think they return four guys off of last year’s team that
made it tough on us last year. They have some shooters and good posts that are
explosive. A lot of them are seniors and are big, physical kids. We just didn’t
get done and hats off to them as they made some plays.”

Louisburg junior Konnor Vohs broke
a tie early in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats the lead,
but Metro Academy went on a 10-0 run to take a seven-point lead with 2 minutes
and 30 seconds left in the game and the Wildcats weren’t able to bounce back.

The Wildcats were without starting
point guard Weston Guetterman, who was out with an illness, but sophomore
Maverick Rockers started in his place and he, along with Vohs, helped pick up
some of the scoring slack. The two players combined to score 15 points to help
keep Louisburg in it.

“I thought both of them played
really, really well,” Pfannenstiel said. “I was pleased with everything that
those guys did. They handled the ball well and took care of the ball. I think
they combined for like two turnovers and that is impressive versus some kids
that could really guard. They both were able to score some points for us and
ran the offense, so I was definitely pleased with that.”

Three-point shooting wasn’t a problem for the Wildcats as they knocked down seven on the night and shot close to 50 percent from behind the arc. It was the inside that gave Louisburg some issues.

The Wildcats shot just 31 percent
from 2-point range and they had problems finding easy baskets.

“We struggle to finish on the
inside and for some reason it is hard for us to finish when we get into the
paint,” Pfannenstiel said. “If you look at our 2-point percentage, it is not
what you would expect. We have to get better there. Some of it is we are taking
tough, contested runners where if we make that extra pass off the drive that we
could get a higher percentage shot. It is not always the guys driving the ball,
it is also the guys off the ball that have to make plays too to give us some
opportunities. We shot it well from the outside, but we have to finish on the
inside and find ways to execute offensively.”

Junior Ben Guetterman led
Louisburg in scoring with nine points and had six rebounds, while sophomore Julian
Margrave had a team-high eight rebounds. Senior Garrett Rolofson also finished
with six boards.

Louisburg will try and bounce back
to win its regular season finale when it travels to Paola. Tipoff is set for
7:30 p.m., as the Wildcats try and avenge a loss to the Panthers from earlier
this season.

“It shouldn’t take anything
special to get us motivated to play Paola,” Pfannenstiel said. “We have a sour
taste in our mouths from the last time we played them and have an opportunity
to go to their place and get a win. We have played well over there the last
couple of years, so I think it will be a good environment and is always a great
rivalry.”

LOU               15           9             15           9 – 48

MA                5             14           18           17 – 54

LOUISBURG (8-11): Ben Guetterman
3-16 2-2 9; Konnor Vohs 3-4 0-0 8; Maverick Rockers 3-5 0-0 7; Garrett Rolofson
2-5 1-2 6; Michael Waldron 2-5 1-2 6; Charlie Peters 2-4 1-2 6; Julian Margrave
3-11 0-0 6. Totals: 18-50 5-8 48. 3-point field goals: 7, (Vohs 2, Rolofson,
Rockers, Guetterman, Waldron, Peters)

Louisburg junior Weston Guetterman gets on the floor for a loose ball Friday during the Wildcats’ game in Bonner Springs.

BONNER SPRINGS – After a pair of
wins got the Louisburg boys basketball team back on the right track, the
Wildcats stumbled a bit Friday at Bonner Springs.

Louisburg, despite a late second half rally, could not complete the season sweep over Bonner Springs as the Wildcats fell, 61-54, after defeating the Braves earlier this season. It was a loss where several things didn’t go the Wildcats’ way.

“We just have to find some
consistency,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “Against Spring Hill we
were really good defensively, and I think against Eudora we were really good
offensively. This time, we were just okay on each end. I didn’t think we were
great defensively, especially in the first half. Our plan was to keep them out
of the paint and kind of pack in our defense and make them settle for outside
jumpers. We struggled early to keep them out of the paint and they had some
good looks.

“We have to find some consistency,
though, and our record shows that. We might be good for a couple games and then
we struggle a little. We struggled a little offensively and settled for too
many outside jumpers, especially in the first half.”

The Wildcats, who are currently
8-10 on the season, struggled in the turnover department – which turned out to
be to the different in the game. With the game tied at 11 going into the second
quarter, Louisburg committed five turnovers that led to fast break points for
Bonner Springs.

That allowed the Braves to build a
lead it wouldn’t give back. In all, the Wildcats committed 18 turnovers on the
night, which led to 25 Bonner Springs points.

“Turnovers hurt us for sure and
those led to some run-out layups for them,” Pfannenstiel said. “We came out in
a 1-3-1 defense to start the second half, and I think that worked and we did a
good job rebounding, but then we would turn the ball over. That puts us down
and forced us to get out of our zone, which I thought had a chance to slow them
down a little bit.

“When you give up three
possessions in a row on easy baskets like that it is tough. You can’t fault our
defense there, it was those turnovers that led to their offense. You aren’t
going to win many games if you turn the ball over that many times.”

Despite all that, the Wildcats
were able to make one final run at the Braves early in the fourth quarter.

Senior Michael Waldron and sophomore Julian Margrave hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the Bonner lead to three. Junior Ben Guetterman then got a steal and a score to trim the Braves’ lead to 51-50.

Bonner Springs, however, would go
on a 9-0 run to extend the lead back to 10 points and the Wildcats weren’t able
to recover.

Margrave and senior Garrett
Rolofson each had a double-double to lead the Wildcats. Margrave finished with
a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Rolofson added 11 points and 10
boards.

Guetterman also finished in double
figures with 15 points. Junior Weston Guetterman had a team-high seven assists
to go along with six rebounds.

“We were able to make a run there
to get back in it and I was proud of the guys for that,” Pfannenstiel said. “I
thought maybe we had turned the corner, but that is how basketball goes
sometimes. We will do what we can to get a little more consistent because that
is what it is going to take to make a run here.”

Louisburg returns to action
tonight when it hosts Metro Academy in its final home game of the season.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

LOU               11           15           16           12 – 54

BON              11           21           16           13 – 61

LOUISBURG (8-10): Julian Margrave
6-14 3-4 17; Ben Guetterman 6-19 1-3 15; Garrett Rolofson 4-8 3-3 11; Michael
Waldron 2-7 0-0 6; Weston Guetterman 2-10 0-0 5. Totals: 20-58 7-10 54. 3-point
field goals: 7, (B. Guetterman 2, Waldron 2, Margrave 2, W. Guetterman 1)

Sophomore Julian Margrave gets to the basket for two of his 20 points Tuesday against Eudora. The Wildcats knocked down 13 3-pointers in their win over the Cardinals.

The Louisburg boys basketball team
picked a good time to have its best shooting night of the season Tuesday
against Eudora.

The Wildcats, who lost to Eudora earlier in the year, returned the favor in a 64-50 victory over the Cardinals. As impressive as the win was, it was how the Wildcats did it that made all that more memorable.

Louisburg knocked down 13
3-pointers on the night – a season high – and in comparison made just eight
two-pointers. The Wildcats shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and was able
to hold off a late Eudora comeback in the second half to get their second
straight victory.

“We played with a lot more
confidence early on and we were playing free,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel
said. “The ball was going through the hoop and we were feeling pretty good
about things. That is the type of offensive team that I think we can be. We have
kind of struggled offensively lately in getting into a rhythm, so for us to put
up 40 in the first half was big.

“In the second half, we wanted to
be patient with the lead, but we still wanted to have that mentality where we
are looking to score. Even though we didn’t score as well, we were still
patient with the ball. My biggest concern was our defense in the second half.
We have to be better defensively. Eudora was able to come back and make it
tight, but for our kids to respond and extend the lead was good.”

Sophomore Julian Margrave was big in the first half for Louisburg as he scored 16 of his 20 points in the first two quarters to help give the Wildcats a 40-21 lead at halftime. Junior Ben Guetterman also shined as he had 11 of his 16 points in the first half as well.

The Wildcats (8-9) did much of their damage from behind-the-arc early as 10 of their 13 3-pointers came in the first and second quarters.

“Sometimes you get hot and I think we are a group that can do that,” Pfannenstiel said. “Hopefully we are getting hot at the right time and we can continue that. The best thing is that they were all good shots and were in rhythm. Julian got hot there in the first half and was definitely wanting the ball. He was really good in the first half as was Ben and (Michael) Waldron. Weston shot the ball really well too.”

Weston Guetterman was key for the
Wildcats in the second half as Eudora made a run at the Wildcats. The Cardinals
put the pressure on Louisburg as they eventually cut the lead to five midway
through the fourth quarter.

Weston had the answers for Louisburg as he scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as Eudora made an effort to take away Margrave and limit his looks. He also had seven points in the final two minutes to help keep the Cardinals at arm’s length.

“They were trying to pressure Julian
and made it hard for him to get touches,” Pfannenstiel said. “If they are going
to take him away, that just means other guys are going to have to step up and
Weston did that for us in the second half. He really took over when we needed
someone too and hit some shots to stop some of those Eudora runs.”

Defense was also a priority for the Wildcats in the first half as they held Eudora to 21 points and scored 20 points off of 13 Eudora turnovers. Ben Guetterman led the Wildcats with four steals and Michael Waldron added three.

Ben Guetterman finished with a team-high eight rebounds and Garrett Rolofson added two blocks.

It was also Senior Night for Louisburg and the Wildcats honored seniors Waldron, Rolofson and Noah Bell prior to the contest. The crowd was fired up early as all three seniors started and Bell, who is better known as Roll Tide, scored his first-ever varsity basket to begin the game.

The Wildcats used that momentum to
build a big lead over the Cardinals and they never looked back.

“Roll Tide was fired up,”
Pfannenstiel said. “I have never seen a kid take the court with that big of a
smile on his face. It was just ear to ear. He was excited for his opportunity
and he was able to get himself a bucket. It was good for him and it was fun to
see.

“Michael has played really well defensively, especially the last two games for sure. We put him on their best players and I think he really loves that role. He has done a good job of keeping of their best scorers frustrated. Rolo has just been solid for us all year and has been our most consistent defender and rebounder. He guards the other team’s best big and he is really playing good basketball for us right now.”

The Wildcats will try and make it three straight wins tonight as they travel to Bonner Springs for Frontier League matchup. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

LOU               18           22           7             17 – 64

EUD               10           11           15           14 – 50

LOUISBURG (8-9): Weston Guetterman
6-11 5-8 64; Julian Margrave 7-10 2-2 20; Ben Guetterman 5-11 2-2 16; Michael
Waldron 1-4 0-0 3; Garrett Rolofson 1-3 0-1 2; Noah Bell 1-4 0-0 2. Totals:
21-44 9-13 64. 3-point field goals: 13, (W. Guetterman 4, B. Guetterman 4,
Margrave 4, Waldron 1)

Louisburg senior Garrett Rolofson puts up a shot over a couple Spring Hill defenders Friday during the Wildcats’ homecoming win over the Broncos.

It had been a rough stretch for
the Louisburg boys basketball team as of late as the Wildcats had lost four of
their last five games heading into Friday’s game against Spring Hill.

One of those four losses were to
the Broncos and the Wildcats, at the time, didn’t look like themselves.

All that changed last Friday as
Louisburg got a 44-34 revenge win over Spring Hill on homecoming to help put
the Wildcats back on the right track.

It all started on the defensive
end for the Wildcats as they held Spring Hill to 30 percent from the floor.
They were also able to take away Spring Hill guard Cooper Jones and held one of
the team’s top scorers to just two points.

“Our focus was to play with energy
and toughness and I thought our kids played really, really well,” Louisburg
coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “Defensively, we wanted to harass them, especially
(Cooper Jones and Alex Johnson) because they run a lot of their stuff through
them. Our goal was to frustrate those guys and to hold Jones to two points is
an accomplishment for our kids. That was our plan going in and I thought our kids
executed that really well.”

It certainly wasn’t easy for the Wildcats (7-9) as they found themselves down for much of the first half, but did have a one-point lead going into halftime.

Sophomore Maverick Rockers hit a
3-pointer late in the first quarter to give the Wildcats a one-point lead. In
the second quarter, Michael Waldron knocked down a 3-pointer and Julian
Margrave hit a bucket late to help Louisburg to a 23-22 halftime advantage.

Margrave and Ben Guetterman came
up with big baskets at the right time for Louisburg in the second half as the
two players provided much of the offense in the final two quarters. Margrave
scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Guetterman
also scored in double figures with 10.

“We had good possessions at the
right time,” Pfannenstiel said. “The kids are progressing offensively and I
want us to be patient. When we were in the halfcourt, we had good shot
selection, but we needed to be aggressive when it comes to driving the ball.
That was definitely big for us and Julian and Ben really hit some big shots for
us down the stretch.”

The Wildcats also had to deal with
a little bit of foul trouble in the first half as starting point guard Weston
Guetterman had two fouls in the first quarter, but the Wildcat bench was able
to provide crucial minutes to help keep their team in the game.

That led to a big second half on
both sides of the floor for Louisburg, especially on the defensive end, as it
held Spring Hill to just 12 points in the final two quarters.

“We had some kids step up for us
and it was a good team effort, even with some guys getting in foul trouble,”
Pfannenstiel said. “Michael Seuferling played very good defense, as did Konnor
Vohs and Maverick Rockers. All those guys really helped with Weston being out
with two fouls. The main thing was that our defense was really good. We always
preach that our defense has to be good every night. It was a slow it down and
grind it out win.”

Louisburg will try to make it
back-to-back wins tonight when it hosts Eudora for Senior Night. Tipoff is set
for 7:30 p.m.

LOU               13           10           9             12 – 44

SH                  12           10           6             6 – 34

LOUISBURG (7-9): Julian Margrave
7-16 6-7 21; Ben Guetterman 3-11 4-4 10; Michael Waldron 2-6 0-0 5; Garrett
Rolofson 2-3 0-0 4; Maverick Rockers 1-1 0-0 3; Weston Guetterman 0-3 1-3 1.
Totals: 15-44 11-14 44. 3-point field goals: 3, (Rockers, Waldron, Margrave)