Louisburg junior Emma Lohse drives around the Baldwin defense thanks to a screen from teammate Jordan Mynsted on Friday in Louisburg.

A month ago, Baldwin and Louisburg found themselves in a tight game going into the fourth quarter.

Fast forward to last Friday, the Bulldogs and Wildcats found themselves in almost the exact situation. Unfortunately for Louisburg, history repeated itself as Baldwin went on a big fourth quarter run.

Baldwin outscored Louisburg by 10 in the final frame and handed the Lady Cats a 45-36 setback at Louisburg High School.

“This was a tough loss for us,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “I felt like we played hard, but again we had a hard time finishing and getting our offense going.”

Louisburg (4-3) took a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter after holding the Bulldogs to just four points in the third.

Baldwin, however, went on an 11-0 run in the quarter, including several opportunities at the free-throw line to put the game away.

“Our defense has been super strong and consistent this season,” Lane said. “I felt like we did a great job pressuring Baldwin throughout the game, and we did a great job rebounding defensively. 

“Baldwin is such a fast team, the pace of the game sped us up offensively and we had a hard time finishing at that speed.”

The Bulldogs went to the free-throw line 34 times on the night and converted 23 of those attempts. The Lady Cats, on the other hand, went to the line just 11 times.

Louisburg junior Emma Prettyman was a factor on the inside for the Lady Cats as she finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, and also had three steals.

“I thought Emma Prettyman had a great game on both sides of the ball,” Lane said. “She did a great job defending and rebounding, and she worked hard on offense to get to the basket.”

Another junior, Adyson Ross, finished with nine points, five rebounds and three steals. Senior Jordan Mynsted was second on the team in rebounding with six.

Although the Lady Cats have shot under 30 percent from the floor in both of their games in 2022, Lane hopes things will turn the corner for them beginning tonight when they host Shawnee Mission South.

“The girls are ready to play tonight,” Lane said. “We are going to try a few new things so hopefully we can find our rhythm offensively.”

LOU 10 10 7 9 — 36

BAL 10 12 4 19 — 45

LOUISBURG (4-3): Emma Prettyman 2-7 7-8 11; Adyson Ross 4-10 1-2 9; Ava Baker 2-7 0-0 5; Jordan Mynsted 2-6 0-0 4; Emma Lohse 1-1 0-0 3; Brianne Kuhlman 1-3 0-1 2; Delaney Wright 1-10 0-0 2. Totals: 13-46 8-11 45. 3-point field goals: 2, (Lohse, Baker)

Louisburg junior Emma Prettyman rips the ball away from a Eudora player Friday at Eudora High School. The Lady Cats fell to the Cardinals, 48-34.

EUDORA — Every team coming off a two-week hiatus is bound to be a little rusty here and there, and that was what the Louisburg girls suffered from Friday at Eudora.

In its first game back from the holiday break, the Lady Cats struggled offensively to get any of kind of rhythm – that was until the fourth quarter.

By then it was too late, as early shooting woes and turnovers led to a 48-34 loss to Eudora at Eudora High School.

“I felt we played well defensively, but we just couldn’t get our timing down on offense,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “We had a lot of good looks at the basket, but just couldn’t get shots to fall.”

The Lady Cats (4-2) scored just 12 first half points, but still trailed just 19-12 at halftime thanks to their defense. Louisburg held Eudora to just 23 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers.

One of the differences in the game proved to be Eudora’s Harper Schriener. The Cardinal senior scored a game-high 22 points and pulled down 14 rebounds from the point guard spot.

Delaney Wright and Delanie Tally stayed with Schriener most of the night and made things difficult, but she still found ways to get big baskets down the stretch.

“Harper is a great basketball player, she is very smart and handles the ball so well,” Lane said. “I thought overall, we did do a good job guarding her. We also knew where she was at, and we knew when to double if needed. 

“I felt like Delaney Wright and Delanie Tally did a great job guarding Harper together to help us fight back into the game.”

Louisburg was down 30-13 midway through the third quarter, but the Lady Cats battled back to make it a game. A pair of Jordan Mynsted baskets brought the Lady Cats to within seven on a couple different occasions in the fourth, but could get no closer.

Eudora ended the game on a 9-3 run to seal the win over the Lady Cats. The Cardinals also did some damage at the free-throw line as they converted 23 of 33 opportunities, while Louisburg got to the line just 11 times.

“I was very proud of the girls to not give up and battle back the way they did,” Lane said. “The last nine minutes of the game we executed offensively and made a great comeback.” 

Mynsted led the Louisburg charge with a team-high 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Junior Adyson Ross also finished in double figures with 11 and eight rebounds.

Junior Emma Prettyman was also strong on the glass with a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with four points.

Louisburg will have to wait a little longer to rebound from the loss as its game with Bonner Springs that was scheduled for tonight, has been postponed due to a high number of covid cases within the Bonner program.

The Lady Cats will return to action Friday when they host Baldwin as they try to avenge one of their two losses on the year.

LOU 8 4 9 13 — 34

EUD 12 7 14 15 — 48

LOUISBURG (4-2): Jordan Mynsted 6-18 3-5 15; Adyson Ross 5-13 0-0 11; Emma Prettyman 1-7 2-2 4; Brianne Kuhlman 1-3 1-2 3; Emma Lohse 0-2 1-2 1. Totals: 13-52 7-11 34. 3-point field goals: 1, (Ross)

It was a successful, and eventful, 2021 for Louisburg High School athletics and for those who are connected to the Wildcat program. This past year created a lot of school history for LHS and several programs brought back state hardware.

Below are the top stories from 2021, along with a brief explanation of each. Included in the explanation is the link to the actual story from the event.

When putting the list together, I took a lot of things into account – whether it was team vs. individual, popularity of the sport, historical achievements and the interest it drew on the web site.

This year was a blast to cover and I am looking forward to seeing what 2022 will bring. Thank you to everyone for their support and can’t wait for it all to begin again.

10. Louisburg golf team qualifies for state

INDEPENDENCE — For the second time in as many seasons, the Louisburg boys golf team qualified for the state tournament.

Except this time, the Wildcat team is made up of a completely new roster.

The Louisburg group of Johnny Eberhart, A.J. Arriola, Johnny Thompson, Sam Wheeler, Dacey Wieland and Jackson Olson shot a 392 to finish third at the Class 4A regional meet at Independence Country Club. 

The Wildcats were just three strokes behind runner-up Field Kindley. Independence won the regional title with a 361.

Louisburg last went to state in 2019, but the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

Eberhart led Louisburg with an 87 and finished fourth overall and was the lone Wildcat to make the cut for the second day.

9. Compliment steps back from volleyball program after 15 seasons.

When Jessica Compliment walked off the floor following her team’s semifinal sub-state loss to Bishop Miege back in October of 2020, the only thought on her mind was how that match was more like a state championship battle.s

It wasn’t your normal match as the two perennial state contenders had to square off so early in the postseason. She was proud of her team and was looking forward to another season of helping Louisburg volleyball get to another state tournament.

Little did she know, it would be the last time she would find herself on the Lady Cat sideline.

In late January, Compliment submitted her resignation as head volleyball coach as she will be stepping away to spend more time with her growing family.

Compliment certainly left her mark on the Louisburg volleyball program as she finished her 15th season back in October and has an impressive resume to show for it.

In the decade-and-a-half as the Lady Cat coach, Compliment guided Louisburg to eight state tournament appearances and placed in the top four of seven of them.

She also finished nine wins shy of 400 as she posted a record of 391-226 and helped Louisburg to three state championship matches.

Shortly after, the district hired assistant coach Leanna Willer to take over the program.

8. Wildcat boys soccer wins Frontier League title, advances to regional title

It had the drama of a state championship match, but instead the No. 1 and 3 ranked teams in the state were playing for the Class 4-1A regional championship title.

Louisburg hosted Bishop Miege in hopes ending the Stags’ string of consecutive state championships.

Instead, the Wildcats once again saw their season come to a close after a 2-0 loss to the Stags at Wildcat Stadium and ended their season with a 12-5-1 record.

The loss was heartbreaking defeat for the Wildcats, who had their sights set on another state final four — and possibly — a state title. To make matters worse, it was to a Miege team that has handed Louisburg a loss in five of the last six postseasons.

Earlier in the season, the Wildcats were crowned as co-champions of the Frontier League with Spring Hill.

7. Wildcat wrestling medals two

SALINA — Cade Holtzen and Alec Younggren didn’t get to leave Salina with what they were hoping to earn.

Only a select few get to leave with the title of “state champion,” and both Louisburg seniors were close to reaching their goal. Despite that, both wrestlers helped the Wildcat team to their best state finish in nearly 11 years.

Younggren reached the championship match, only to finish second at 220 pounds, while Holtzen rallied back to medal third at 132 during the Class 4A Kansas State Wrestling Championships at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center. The two wrestlers combined to score 30 points, which put them 14th in the team standings.

Louisburg hadn’t finished that high since 2010, when Austin Hood won his first of three state titles and his brother Bryce, took second. The Wildcats were 10th that year.

6. Louisburg cross country qualifies both teams for state, medals four.

WAMEGO — It wasn’t the finish Louisburg wanted following the Class 4A state cross country meet, but the Wildcats left with more than their fair share of hardware.

Louisburg was awarded four state medals following the meet at Wamego Country Club, including three on the girls side for the second straight season.

The Lady Cats had hoped to earn a team plaque for the second year in a row, but took fifth overall with 144 points. Eudora won the girls championship with 56, Baldwin was second with 64 and Winfield was third with 93.

Sophomore Emma Vohs led the charge for Louisburg as she finished sixth overall. Sophomore Maddy Rhamy and senior Reese Johnson also medaled for the Lady Cats.

In his first year with the boys program, senior Jaden Vohs had a strong final run for the Wildcats as he medaled 12th overall.

5. Louisburg cheer finishes runner-up at state competition

TOPEKA — The Louisburg High cheer program knows a thing or two about being one of the last teams left standing at the Game Day Showcase.

Louisburg, which won a state title in 2019 and took third in 2020, found itself one of the two teams left standing.

When the final results were announced in November, the judges awarded the Wildcat cheer squad the state runner-up plaque. Paola won the state title, while Baldwin made it a Frontier League sweep as it took third.

4. Wildcat girls take fourth at state soccer

WICHITA — The Louisburg girls soccer team may have left the Class 4-1A Kansas State Girls Soccer Championships with a pair of losses, but the Wildcats took a lot of pride in what they accomplished.

For the fourth straight season, Louisburg advanced to the state final four and the Wildcats finished fourth in the state – a far cry where many people thought they would end up. The Wildcats lost a pair of 2-1 matches to Mulvane and then to McPherson in the third-place match at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita.

Louisburg, which lost 12 seniors from a season that didn’t happen due to COVID, returned just three varsity players. Despite all that, they ended up being one of the top teams in the state.

3. Louisburg girls basketball snaps 47-year state drought, takes third at state

SALINA — The tears were abundant following Louisburg’s loss to McPherson in the Class 4A state semifinal game.

The Lady Cats saw their season come to an end after their 58-46 loss to the Bullpups in Salina, but as hard as the finality of it was to take, they know what is the bigger picture.

Before the game even started, Louisburg already wrapped up its best finish in program history and became the first Lady Cat team to place at state as it finished third.

A season that finished with a 19-5 record and a third place state trophy, is one that will always be remembered in Louisburg history.

“It means the world to me to finish third at state,” senior Megan Foote said. “Obviously it wasn’t how we wanted to finish, but that’s okay. I’m still beyond proud of this group and the accomplishments we have made. We are the best girls basketball team in Louisburg history. I’d say to be a part of that, is pretty awesome. I’m honored.”

For the last three quarters of the game, Louisburg actually outscored McPherson 43-37, but it was the first quarter that the Lady Cats weren’t able to overcome.

McPherson scored the first 15 points of the first quarter and took a 21-3 lead going into the second period.

2. Wildcat basketball advances to first-ever state title game, finish runner-up

SALINA — The result of the state championship game is not what the Louisburg boys basketball team will focus on several years from now.

The fact that the 2020-21 Wildcats recorded the best finish in school history, will be more than enough for them to fondly reminisce about.

Louisburg, which played in its first-ever state championship game in Salina, fell to state power Bishop Miege, 94-40. As disappointing as the result was, many of the Wildcats were looking bigger picture.

“We will forever live in history with this senior class and with this team,” senior Weston Guetterman said. “Until someone wins it at least, we are going to be the bar that everyone looks to. It is a proud moment for all of us.”

In the state semifinal, the Wildcats got a revenge victory with a come-from-behind 58-55 win over Augusta to advance to the state title game.

1. Wildcat track wins second state championship; Wright wins three state titles.

WICHITA — On the 10th anniversary of the Louisburg boys’ first state track championship, this year’s team wanted to do something to commemorate the historic event.

The Wildcats decided they wanted to win one of their own.

Louisburg edged out Andale for the state championship Friday during the Class 4A Kansas Track and Field Championships at Cessna Stadium in Wichita.

It is just the second track championship for Louisburg and just the fourth team state championship in school history. 

The first one was a golf title in 1977, and then football won its first state title in 2010. The track team followed with its first later that school year in 2011 and the Louisburg cheer squad won a state title in 2019.

“There are no words to describe how incredibly proud I was of the entire team,” Louisburg coach Andy Wright said. “It was a total team effort. It was a moment I will never forget as a coach, and how exciting that it came down to the final race.  Everyone gave it their all, and I just couldn’t happier as a coach to see all of that hard work pay off for them with the greatest reward.”

Tom Koontz led the Wildcats with four state medals, including a state championship in the 110-meter hurdles.

On the girls side, Delaney Wright made some history of her own. 

Wright was the favorite to win state titles in her three events at the Class 4A State Track and Field Championships.

She didn’t disappoint. 

Wright not only won three state championships, but she won them in convincing fashion, breaking two school records in the process. The Louisburg junior won the long jump, 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash on her way to an historic day in Wichita.

“My experience at state track this year was amazing,” Wright said. “The people competing there were super nice and my teammates made it more fun. It meant a lot to pull off winning three state titles.”

Wright became the first female Wildcat athlete to win three state titles in the same year as she helped the Lady Cats to a fifth place finish in the team standings – also the highest finish for Louisburg girls track and field.

“I can’t say enough how awesome of a competitor Delaney is,” Louisburg girls coach John Reece said. “I know she went to state with one thing on her mind – win.  She did just that and truly performed to her best. Winning three different events is an incredible feat.”

(From left) Sierra Hahn, Tehya Harvey and Ava Baker celebrate with teammate Adyson Ross (11) following the team’s 29-26 victory over Piper on Thursday in Louisburg.

Offensively, it wasn’t the Louisburg girls’ night Thursday in their home matchup with Piper.

The Lady Cats just couldn’t seem to get much to fall. So instead, they turned to their defense.

Louisburg forced 17 Piper turnovers, and recorded 12 steals, en route to a 29-26 come from behind win over the Pirates to close out the 2021 portion of its schedule.

It was an important win for the Lady Cats after losing their first game of the season in the final seconds, two days earlier against Baldwin.

“Thursday’s win against Piper was a great win for our team,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “It showed us that we can win close games and moving forward I hope that win gives us the confidence we need as a team to finish close games.”

The Lady Cats (4-1) were able to get some big minutes for their bench, especially from juniors Delanie Tally and Emma Lohse.

Lohse provided a spark in the first half with a quick four points and two steals to help keep Louisburg in the contest.

Then in the fourth quarter, Tally hit a pair of 3-pointers that accounted for six of the team’s eight points in the final period of a tight contest.

“The bench was great,” Lane said. “Emma and Delanie have played excellent the past two games. Emma’s defense and hustle brings energy to our team and I was so proud of Delanie. She was super confident and stepped up and made two huge 3’s for the team to put us ahead.”

Louisburg scored just five points to open the game, but rallied to tie the game at 15-all before halftime. Piper took a one-point lead going into the fourth before Tally hit a pair of 3-pointers to put the Lady Cats ahead.

Louisburg’s defense took care of the rest as it held Piper to just four points in the final period and ended the 2021 year on a good note.

“Piper’s defense was very tough,” Lane said. “They were solid on the inside and they did a great job rebounding. As the game went on I thought the girls adjusted to the zone and did better moving the ball and looking for the open player.”

Junior Adyson Ross led the Lady Cats in scoring with 10 points, while junior Emma Prettyman had a team-high six rebounds. Junior Brianne Kuhlman also had a team-best three steals.

Louisburg is back in action on Jan. 7 when the Lady Cats travel to Eudora for a Frontier League matchup. 

LOU 5 10 6 8 — 29

PIP 9 6 7 4 — 26

LOUISBURG (4-1): Adyson Ross 5-12 0-0 10; Delanie Tally 2-4 0-0 6; Emma Lohse 1-4 2-2 4; Emma Prettyman 2-4 0-0 4; Delaney Wright 1-6 1-2 3; Ava Baker 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 12-41 3-5 29. 3-point field goals: 2, (Tally 2)

Baldwin edges Louisburg on free throw in final seconds

Everything seemed to be going Louisburg’s way on the road at Baldwin.

The Lady Cats held a 12-point lead early in the second half and were well on their way to fourth straight win.

Baldwin had other ideas as it scored 25 second half points and rallied to defeat Louisburg, 35-34, in the final seconds.

With one second remaining in regulation, Baldwin’s Riley Smith was fouled. She made 1 of 2 free throws and the Lady Cats didn’t have time to get another shot off.

“Losing to Baldwin was very hard,” Lane said. “I felt we played great and did everything we needed to do until the last 2 and half minutes. We executed our offense, and defensively the girls played so well as we held Baldwin’s best two girls to 16 points total. Losing is always tough, but we will learn from this loss and become a better team from it.”

Louisburg held a 5-point lead late, but Baldwin eventually tied it on a 3-pointer from Karly Neufeld. After a couple missed Louisburg free throws, Smith drove the lane and was fouled with one second remaining.

The Lady Cats had big second quarter as they scored 16 points in the frame to take a 20-10 halftime lead. Louisburg, however, scored just four points in the fourth to allow Baldwin to get back in it.

Senior Jordan Mynsted led the Lady Cats as she posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Emma Prettyman had nine rebounds.

Emma Lohse finished with six points, while Adyson Ross and Delaney Wright each finished with four. Delanie Tally had a team-high three steals.

LOU 4 16 10 4 — 34

BAL 3 7 14 11 — 35

LOUISBURG: Jordan Mynsted 4-10 2-2 10; Emma Lohse 3-5 0-0 6; Adyson Ross 2-8 0-1 4; Delaney Wright 1-5 2-4 4; Emma Prettyman 1-6 2-3 4; Brianne Kuhlman 1-6 1-2 3; Delanie Tally 1-2 0-2 3. Totals: 13-44 7-14 34. 3-point field goals: 1, (Tally)

Junior Ava Baker records one of Louisburg’s 12 steals on the night Friday in the Lady Cats’ 48-22 victory over Anderson County in their home opener.

The Louisburg girls basketball team didn’t have the best start to its home opener Friday against Anderson County.

In the second quarter, however, the Lady Cats flipped a switch and never looked back.

Louisburg outscored the Bulldogs by 15 in the second quarter and held the Bulldogs to just six points combined in the second and third quarters. It all added up to a 48-22 rout over Anderson County.

“Our defense was great again,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “We had great ball pressure and caused several turnovers. Once we figured out that we needed to adjust to their height, we did a great job offensively.”

The Lady Cat defense caused the Bulldogs fits most of the night as they forced 27 turnovers, which led to 13 Louisburg points. They also held Anderson County to just 21 percent shooting.

Louisburg (3-0) led just 10-8 at the end of the first quarter, but came to life in the second as it outscored Anderson County 18-3 to end the first half with a 28-11 lead.

Defense was again front and center in the third quarter as the Lady Cats held the Bulldogs to just three points again and all but sealed the win.

Offensively, it wasn’t Louisburg’s best performance of the season as it just shot 27 percent for the game. However, the Lady Cats knocked down seven 3-pointers from five different players to help open the floor.

Junior Adyson Ross scored a team-high 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and also had five rebounds and three steals.

Senior Jordan Mynsted also scored in double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds to go along with four blocked shots. Junior Ava Baker also came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers and also had three steals.

Another senior, Delaney Wright, had five points and three steals, while junior Emma Lohse came off the bench to score five points and also pulled down five rebounds. Junior Emma Prettyman had a team-high seven rebounds.

Louisburg will try for its fourth win in a row tonight as the Lady Cats travel to Baldwin for a 6 p.m. tip.

“Baldwin will be our toughest competition so far this season,” Lane said. “They are super quick and run the floor well. We are planning to slow them down with tough defense and be in control on offense. We also need to be smart on our shot selection.”

LOU 10 18 7 13 — 48

AC 8 3 3 8 — 22

LOUISBURG (3-0): Adyson Ross 3-7 5-7 13; Jordan Mynsted 3-12 4-4 10; Ava Baker 2-4 0-0 6; Emma Lohse 2-6 0-1 5; Delaney Wright 1-6 2-6 5; Emma Prettyman 2-8 0-0 4; Delanie Tally 1-3 0-0 3; Brianne Kuhlman 1-8 0-0 2. Totals: 15-56 11-18 48. 3-point field goals: 7, (Ross 2, Baker 2, Lohse, Wright, Tally)

Louisburg senior Jordan Mynsted goes up for a shot Tuesday against Burlington. Mynsted finished with a game-high 16 points.

BURLINGTON — The Lousiburg girls basketball team is now 2-for-2 on the young season.

The Lady Cats, the No. 2 ranked team in Class 4A, took care of business on the road as they downed Burlington 43-31. Louisburg used a strong third quarter to pull away.

It was a good mixture of play on both ends of the floor that allowed the Lady Cats to leave Burlington with a win.

“The girls played much better as a team against Burlington,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “They didn’t force shots and showed patience on offense. We moved the ball well and our defense was tough again. I thought we did a great job guarding (Caydence) Doebele in the lane. When she caught it, we walled up, doubled her and boxed out.”

Louisburg held a 23-15 lead at halftime, but the Lady Cats blew the game open in the third quarter and never looked back. They outscored Burlington 18-6 in the frame and took a 20-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

“The girls executed well in the third quarter, so it was encouraging to see them battle this early in the season,” Lane said. “We always talk about coming out hard in the second half and they did a great job. If we are going to be successful at the end of the season, we have to be consistent in each quarter, and I do think the girls realize their potential after how well they did third quarter on Tuesday.”

Senior Jordan Mynsted provided a bulk of the scoring for the Lady Cats as she finished with a game-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds.

Another senior, Delaney Wright, was perfect from the floor as she finished with nine points and five rebounds.

Junior forward Emma Prettyman had a big night on the boards as she led Louisburg with eight. Junior point guard Brianne Kuhlman had a team-high three assists.

Louisburg was also strong on the defensive end of the floor as it forced 15 turnovers and had seven steals. The Lady Cats also out rebounded Burlington 37-34.

Now the Lady Cats will get a chance to play on their home floor tonight as they host Anderson County in their home opener. 

“It is going to be a lot of fun for the girls,” Lane said. “They are super excited to play at home and STUCO is having a pep rally during advisory today. Anderson County is very young this year, so I feel that if we play well we have a good chance to pull out a win.”

LOU 10 13 18 2 — 43

BUR 5 10 6 10 — 31

LOUISBURG (2-0): Jordan Mynsted 6-14 4-6 16; Delaney Wright 4-4 0-0 9; Brianne Kuhlman 2-8 1-2 5; Adyson Ross 2-8 0-0 5; Emma Lohse 1-3 0-0 3; Ava Baker 1-3 0-0 3; Delanie Tally 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 17-54 5-8 43. 3-point field goals: 4, (Lohse, Wright, Ross, Baker)

Louisburg junior Emma Prettyman goes up for two of her 10 points Friday at Tonganoxie High School during the Lady Cats’ 36-27 win.

TONGANOXIE — The Louisburg girls basketball team couldn’t have asked for a better start to its season Friday at Tonganoxie.

The Lady Cats scored 13 straight points to begin the game, and held the Chieftains scoreless in the first quarter, as they won 36-27 to get their season started off on the right foot.

“The girls were super excited on Friday to play our first game, and we were we glad to get our first win,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane. “I do not think the girls were nervous, but they were very excited and so glad to be back on the court together.”

Louisburg was able to control the game inside as forwards Jordan Mynsted and Emma Prettyman recorded a bulk of the Lady Cats’ points in the paint.

Mynsted scored a team-high 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Prettyman had 10 and eight rebounds. Mynsted also finished with four steals and two blocks.

“Jordan and Emma did a great job finishing on the inside, rebounding, and making their put backs,” Lane said. “They both have been working super hard and I think their efforts showed on Friday.”

The Lady Cats also controlled the game on the defensive end as well. Louisburg forced 25 Tonganoxie turnovers and scored 14 points off those Chieftain mistakes.

Junior Brianne Kuhlman led Louisburg with five steals on the night, while juniors Emma Lohse, Adyson Ross and Ava Baker each had two steals. Baker also had a pair of blocked shots.

“Our defense was tough,” Lane said. “Any time we can hold a team to under 30 points shows how tough we are on defense. We started off very intense on the defensive end, we were in the correct spots and we rotated great when we helped and we finished with blocking out. The girls did a great job.”

There were still aspects that Lane would like to see her team get ironed out, especially the offensive side of the ball where the Lady Cats shot just 27 percent for the game.

Still, she knows that will only get better and hopes it starts tonight when the Lady Cats travel to Burlington for a 6 p.m. tip.

“I think the biggest thing we need to work on after our first game is shot selection and having patience on offense,” Lane said. “If we can have more patience, I think we will not be as rushed on offense and in return score more points.”

LOU 13 8 10 5 — 36

TONG 0 9 11 7 — 27

LOUISBURG (1-0): Jordan Mynsted 5-15 2-2 11; Emma Prettyman 4-9 2-2 10; Adyson Ross 2-12 1-2 5; Delaney Wright 1-10 0-0 3; Emma Lohse 1-3 0-0 2; Brianne Kuhlman 1-8 0-0 2; Sierra Hahn 1-1 0-0 2; Delanie Tally 0-3 1-2 1. Totals: 14-51 6-8 36. 3-point field goals: 2, (Mynsted, Wright)

Louisburg senior Delaney Wright saves a ball from going out of bounds during the state tournament last season. Wright is one of three seniors returning this season.

It was a season to remember for the Louisburg girls basketball team a year ago.

The Lady Cats reached the state tournament for the first time in 47 years and went on to finish third in Class 4A. It was a great time to be Louisburg fan.

This year’s version of the Lady Cats will look a little different after losing four all-league players to graduation. Despite the losses, Louisburg still has a good foundation to build upon as they return several key pieces from last season’s team.

“Our mindset going into the season is very positive,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “The returners want to continue our successful from last year and build success with the new players.

“Practice has been going well so far. This year being my second year has been easier because the returners know what I expect out of them. The returners can also help the new players when needed as well.”

One of those veteran players is senior Jordan Mynsted. The Louisburg forward was one of the team’s top scorers from a year ago and earned second team All-Frontier League honors.

Mynsted was second on the team as she averaged almost 11 points a game and had four rebounds a contest. She will be asked to do much of the same this year.

“Jordan has been putting in a lot of work in the off season,” Lane said. “I do think she is going to be a huge offensive threat and she is going to be hard to guard. Her work has developed her game and I think it is going to show on the floor.”

Louisburg also returns its defensive stopper from a year ago in senior Delaney Wright. The Lady Cat guard was consistently asked to guard the team’s best player and will be the defensive leader this season.

“Our team is going to really rely on Delaney on the defensive side of the ball,” Lane said. “Most games she will be guard the other teams best player. Delaney is very unselfish and her spark on the defensive side of the ball always puts excitement into the team.”

The Lady Cats also bring back point guard Brianne Kuhlman, who started all of last season as a sophomore. Now as a junior, she will continue to run the offense.

Junior Adyson Ross, who provided a spark off the bench as a sophomore, will be in the starting lineup along with Kuhlman, Wright and Mynsted. Junior forward Emma Prettyman will also get the start for the Lady Cats.

Senior Sierra Hahn, along with juniors Emma Lohse, Ava Baker, Delanie Tally and Tehya Harvey, will all look to provide big minutes off the bench.

“The returners are super important,” Lane said. They have done a great job leading our team so far this season. They have been super positive and helpful with all the girls. With the positivity coming from the seniors and returners, our team is really starting to develop and I think they can all see how great we can be.

“Some underclassmen who have done a great job in practice and have really stepped up are Emma Prettyman, Delanie Tally, Adyson Ross and Emma Lohse. It’s going to be fun getting to see them get some game time this year after all their hard work last year and this summer.”

The Lady Cats hope they can end their season at the state tournament again like last year as they begin the preseason ranked No. 5 in Class 4A. Louisburg will also try for its first league crown since 2008 and its first outright title since 1999.

“This season I have big expectations for this team,” Lane said. “I would like to see us win 15-plus games again and I would also like to have a run at the league title.”

There hasn’t been a whole lot of good to talk about in the last year or so.

Our life has changed around us. We are having to deal with a new normal and there are a lot uncertainties as to what our future holds. 

It is an unnerving time for a lot of people and our country seems more divided than ever. Still, to get by in this difficult time, you have to look for positives.

For me, the last school year brought me some of the best moments in my journalistic life. The 2020-21 school was arguably one of the most successful seasons in Louisburg High School history from top to bottom, and I was more than grateful to be there for it all.

Just look at what was accomplished last year:

• Boys cross country qualified for state for the first time in school history.

• Girls cross country placed at state for the first time in its history as they took third in Class 4A. Maddy Rhamy, Lola Edwards and Reese Johnson also earned medals.

• Boys soccer had its best finish in school history with a 3rd place state finish.

• Boys basketball advanced to the state championship game for the first time and took second.

• Girls basketball advanced to the state tournament for the first time in 47 years and recorded its best finish in third.

• Wrestlers Alec Younggren and Cade Holtzen took second and third, respectively, at the state tournament.

• Boys golf qualified for state as a team.

• Girls soccer made an improbable run to advance to its fourth straight state final four and the Wildcats took fourth.

• Delaney Wright won three state track titles in the long jump, 200 dash and 400 dash and broke all three school records in the process.

• Maybe perhaps the best accomplishment of all, the Louisburg boys track and field team won the Class 4A state championship as they edged out Andale for the title.

Just a year removed from losing their spring season due to COVID-19, the Wildcats came back stronger than ever and it showed. It was an exciting time to be a Louisburg sports fan.

However, with so much positivity from last season, it is time to turn the page and focus on what the 21-22 season has in store.

First day of fall practice begins this Monday and the football, volleyball, cross country and boys soccer team all have a chance to do some special things this season. I am fortunate I will be able to be there once again to cover it all.

As I talked about earlier, there is a lot of negativity going on in the world right now, but I am more than thankful to have a job where I can get away from all that and cover all the special moments. 

Last season was a much-needed get away for me and it was an unbelievable journey to see all the Wildcat history that was made.

This year has another chance to be a special one. There is no way to predict what will happen, but I do know there is a chance for even more history and records to fall this upcoming year.

Football numbers are up and the Wildcats are poised for a big season, while the cross country, volleyball and boys soccer team all return several key pieces to make a run in the postseason – and that is just what the fall will hold.

The seasons can’t get here soon enough and I am ready to cover it all once again. Hope to see you all out there supporting the Wildcats and maybe you can forget all those stresses in life — even if it is just for a few moments.

Success has seemed to follow Alyse Moore wherever she goes. 

It isn’t by chance, however — Moore has made her own luck.

Whether it was helping the Louisburg girls basketball team to its best finish in school history, eclipsing the 500 rebound plateau or earning a state medal and breaking the school record in the javelin, Moore had a big year for Wildcat athletics.

Those were just some of the reasons Moore was named the 2021 Louisburg Sports Zone Female Athlete of the Year.

“It means everything to me to be honored as the Female Athlete of the Year,” Moore said. “I am super thankful to have gotten the opportunity to be an athlete at Louisburg and it is great to be able to be rewarded for that.”

Moore began the school year as the starting outside hitter for the Louisburg volleyball team and ended as an honorable mention All-Frontier League player.

She was second on the Lady Cats with 174 kills and also played well on defense as she was second on the team with 195 digs. She also had 19 aces.

“Alyse is an extremely hard worker and was a joy to coach for four years,” former Louisburg volleyball coach Jessica Compliment said. “Her hard work and leadership paid off as a multi-sport athlete, and I enjoyed seeing her excel in each sport. She had a way of bringing out the best in her teammates and pushed herself and her teammates to be the best they could be. Alyse is very deserving of this award, and I am very happy for her.”

On the basketball court, Moore made an even bigger impact as she helped the Lady Cats to a third place finish at the Class 4A state tournament, which the program’s best finish in school history. It was also the first state appearance for the program in 47 years.

Along with eclipsing the 500 career rebound mark, Moore was also an honorable mention all-league player. She led Louisburg in rebounding with 8.6 boards a game to go along with 7.3 points and 1.7 steals.

She also earned honorable mention all-state honors from Sports in Kansas and the Wichita Eagle.

“Alyse is very talented in several different sports, but I feel Alyse is deserving because of her hard work and effort,” Louisburg basketball coach Adrianne Lane said. “No matter what season, Alyse would work hard and contribute to her team. It was an honor coaching Alyse in basketball. She would do whatever the team needed to win and she set a great example for everyone with her effort in practice and her positive attitude.”

It was that tournament run that stuck out to Moore the most and it was a time she will never forget.

“I would have to say my all time favorite memory from this year was the Labette County game that brought us to Salina,” Moore said of the team’s state quarterfinal win. “I have never played in such a loud and fun environment and I am so lucky to have been able to have that experience and get to be in the final four with all of my best friends. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life.”

That success continued over to the javelin as Moore recorded her state straight state medal in the event as she finished fourth. In the process, Moore also broke a 20-year-old school record with a throw of 149 feet.

Next season, Moore will throw for the University of Kansas track and field team as she continues to try and improve in an event she just started trying three years ago.

“Alyse is an amazing student-athlete,” Louisburg girls track coach John Reece said. “She has a great work ethic and that carries over into competition and her leadership as a teammate. She was always willing to put in the extra time needed to make herself even better. This showed with her breaking a longtime javelin record and competing on the big stage at the state meet.

“Since having her in the classroom to now, she has held a high standard for herself and has achieved great things. She will be an asset at the next level and I expect to read about her doing great things in the future.”

Moore also made a little more history following the team’s state tournament run in basketball. She became the first female athlete in school history to participate in four different state athletic events.

As as sophomore in 2019, she went to state in both softball and track. Moore has also placed at the state tournament with both the volleyball and basketball teams.

“To be able to be the first female athlete in school history to participate in the state tournament in four different sports is honestly a dream come true,” Moore said. “It is an amazing opportunity to be able to compete at the state tournament even once, and to be able to do that in four different sports makes me beyond proud. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and my teammates and I can’t thank them enough.”

Playing in multiple sports has taught Moore different things when it came to competing and other aspects of team sports. It was a memorable four years for the recent Louisburg grad.

“Each sport is slightly different in their own way, but I love each and every one of them and I still have a tough time deciding which one was my favorite,” Moore said. “I loved the crazy celebrations on the court in volleyball. I loved the bond that you create with your teammates in basketball, and I loved the reflection of hard work and technique in track. I enjoyed each sport so much.

“I am so thankful for my time at LHS and for all of my amazing coaches and teammates. I also would like to thank my parents for motivating me every day to work hard and be a good person while doing so. I am going to miss being able to play sports in front of such a supportive community and with unbelievably great people.”