Coming off its first state championship appearance in school history, and recording its best finish in the program’s long tenure, the Louisburg boys basketball team knew those postseason honors would come its way.

They certainly did — athletes and coaches alike.

The Wildcats earned three All-Frontier League selections, were named to all-state teams and even had their head coach recognized.

Louisburg head coach Ty Pfannenstiel was named the Class 4A Coach of the Year by Sports in Kansas and Wichita Eagle as he guided the Wildcats to an 18-7 record and a spot in the Class 4A state championship, where they finished runner-up.

“I’m honored to win the award,” Pfannenstiel said. “I’m really just happy for our boys and the success they had this season. Coach of the Year is really a team award. It takes everyone working together as a group to accomplish what we did this season, and I just did my best to get the boys prepared for each contest. I can’t thank my assistant coaches (Drew Harding and Pete Skakal) and players enough for everything they have contributed to this program. It truly is a team effort.”

A few of the Wildcat players were also recognized on different levels.

Junior Julian Margrave was selected to the All-Frontier League first team and was the league’s top vote getter. Margrave averaged 17.7 points a game to go along with 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a contest.

Margrave was a Class 4A all-state first team selection by the Topeka Capital-Journal and was also named to their all-class third team. He was also a 4A first team selection by the Wichita Eagle.

He was named a first-team Class 4A all-state player by Sports in Kansas and third team in all classes.

“Julian had another big year for us,” Pfannenstiel said. “He was a unanimous first team selection for the second year in a row. He led our team in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots. Most teams focused so much attention on stopping Julian, that things really opened up for other guys. Even when Julian would have an off night offensively, he would still end up with double figures in scoring. 

“There’s a reason Julian is as good as he is, because he works really hard at it. He’s always the last one to leave the gym each night. I think he would stay there all night if I didn’t have to kick him out so I could go home and see my family. He is the definition of “gym rat.” He’s had two really good varsity years, each year better than the year before. I’m looking forward to him making another jump again next year.”

Senior point guard Weston Guetterman also received a lot of accolades as he was a second team All-Frontier League selection. Guetterman averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals a game.

Guetterman was also named to the Sports in Kansas all-state second team and was an honorable mention all-state selection by the Capital-Journal. He was selected third team all-state by the Eagle.

“Weston was really good for us this year,” Pfannenstiel said. “In my opinion, he was the best all-around point guard in our league. He had some big offensive nights for us, and does such a good job of initiating our offense. His performance in the state semifinals against Augusta was incredible. He was our third leading rebounder trailing Ben by just 2 rebounds, which is astounding because he’s our point guard. He also led our team in steals and assists. 

“Weston was an honorable mention as a junior, so I was glad to see our coaches put him on the second team, even though he probably deserved first team honors. It’s been a lot of fun coaching Weston during his four years and seeing him grow as a player. Weston is a great player and even a better kid.”

Senior guard Ben Guetterman was also recognized by the league coaches as he was named as an honorable mention for the second straight season.

Guetterman averaged 10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game for the Wildcats. He was also named as a Class 4A honorable mention by Sports in Kansas.

“Ben had a nice senior year,” Pfannenstiel said. “He averaged double figures in scoring for the past two seasons and was our second leading rebounder this year. Ben has had a great career. He’s a two-time honorable mention all league, which is quite an accomplishment. 

“Ben had some big nights for us this season. When he was clicking offensively, we were pretty tough to beat. The second Spring Hill game comes to mind, when it was the Guetterman show there in the first half. Ben is a hard working kid. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but he was just a great leader by example. I enjoyed my four years with him.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL

First Team

Julian Margrave, Louisburg, junior

Trey Moala, Paola, junior

Jaron Briggs, Piper, junior

Cooper Jones, Spring Hill, senior

Rylee Beach, Tonganoxie, senior

Second Team

Trent Stimac, Bonner Springs, junior

Jaden Hamm, Eudora, sophomore

Weston Guetterman, Louisburg, senior

Noah McCullough, Ottawa, junior

Heston Robbins, Tonganoxie, senior

Honorable Mention

Colby Zimmerman, Baldwin, senior

Jayce Smith, Bonner Springs, junior

Justin Fawcett, Eudora, senior

Ty Abts, Eudora, senior

Ben Guetterman, Louisburg, senior

Jake Titus, Ottawa, sophomore

Bo Robison, Paola, senior

Dilyn Taylor-Cantu, Piper, senior

Jamie Tyson, Piper, senior

Ryan Weber, Spring Hill, senior

Blake Poje, Tonganoxie, senior

Dallas Bond, Tonganoxie, senior

Andrew Wilson, Tonganoxie, junior

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

The Lady Cats placed third at the Class 4A tournament, made it to state for the first time in 47 years and recorded the best finish in school history.

With all that success comes a lot of accolades, and about a month after that successful run ended, they started to pour in for several Lady Cats.

Shortly after the state tournament, the all-league team was announced and Louisburg earned five spots on the team – which was the most in the Frontier League. The Lady Cats finished second in the league standings, one game behind champion Piper.

“I was very surprised how well our team was represented with all-league nominations,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “Our league is very tough and we have several good 4A and 5A teams. That being said, I do think playing in such a tough league made us better and ready for the postseason.”

Senior Madilyn Melton earned several postseason honors for the Lady Cats, including a spot on the All-Frontier League first team.

Melton led the Lady Cats in scoring with 10.9 points a game and was second on the team in rebounding at 6.5. She also led the team with 2 blocks a contest.

She was also named to the Sports in Kansas Class 4A all-state first team, and was named second team by the Topeka-Capital Journal and third team by the Wichita Eagle.

“Madilyn had a huge season and she was a consistent player for our team,” Lane said. “We could always count on her to score, but I was most impressed with her help-side defense and rebounding ability. 

“She played a huge role on both ends of the court for us. She ended her career with 990 points, which is now the most points a female basketball player has every scored at LHS.”

Louisburg had two selections on the all-league second team in senior Megan Foote and junior Jordan Mynsted.

Mynsted was second on the team in scoring with 10.8 points a contest and had 4.4 rebounds a game.

As for Foote, she averaged 8.6 points a game and 4.3 rebounds. She also had a team-best 2.6 steals a contest.

Foote earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Capital-Journal, Wichita Eagle and Sports in Kansas, while Mynsted was an also an honorable mention selection by Sports in Kansas.

“Megan was great on both sides of the ball this year,” Lane said. “Some games we had her guard the other team’s best player and she stepped up and worked really hard. Other games she was our leading scorer, her 3-point shot was hot this season, and other teams had to know where she was. 

“Jordan is a natural scorer, she gave our team a spark when she came in the game. She was instant offense in most games and her presence was always felt by the other team. They had to adjust their defense to be able to guard her.”

Seniors Alyse Moore and Brooklyn Diederich were honorable mention all-league selections as both played big roles for the Lady Cats.

Moore 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

As for Diederich, she averaged 5.1 points a contest and was one off the team’s best on-ball defenders. She was named an all-state honorable mention by Sports in Kansas.

“Alyse is an amazing team player,” Lane said. “She will do whatever it takes for us to win and be successful. Her rebounding and hustle helped our team be successful this season. Alyse averaged 8.6 rebounds this season, which led the Frontier League.

“Brooklyn is all hustle; her effort and hard work were felt by the team the entire season. She did a lot of really good things away from the basketball, she is always in the right position and always willing to step and help if needed. She was on the floor more than she wasn’t.”

The postseason honors didn’t stop there as Lane was named as a finalist for the Class 4A Girls Coach of the Year by Sports in Kansas. That honor eventually went to Bishop Miege’s Terry English.

In all, Lane led Louisburg to a 19-5 record on a year, a third place finish at state, the best finish in school history and second place in the Frontier League.

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE GIRLS BASKETBALL

First Team

Riley Smith, Baldwin, junior

Harper Schreiner, Eudora, junior

Madilyn Melton, Louisburg, senior

Evelyn Vazquez, Piper, senior

Alli Frank, Spring Hill, senior

Second Team

Jenna Harvey, Baldwin, senior

Mariyah Noel, Bonner Springs, sophomore

Jordan Mynsted, Louisburg, junior

Megan Foote, Louisburg, senior

Jessica Thomas, Piper, senior

Honorable Mention

Wren VanCleave, Bonner Springs, sophomore

Jayla Pierce, Eudora, senior

Brooklyn Diederich, Louisburg, senior

Alyse Moore, Louisburg, senior

Sofia Ficken, Ottawa, junior

Kirsten Evans, Ottawa, junior

Kate Ediger, Paola, junior

Dakiah Yates, Paola, junior

Jennifer Guilbeaux, Piper, senior

Jenna Weber, Spring Hill, sophomore

Cate Milory, Spring Hill, junior

Morgan Brusven, Tonganoxie, senior

Raegan Seba, Tonganoxie, junior

The Louisburg boys basketball team raises the Class 4A state runner-up trophy Saturday following it loss to Bishop Miege at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.

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 Saturday 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.”

Bishop Miege, which won its sixth state title, was the heavily favored team coming in. The Stags lost just one game all year – to Blue Valley Northwest — and defeated Class 6A state champion Blue Valley North earlier in the season.

The Stags featured a roster of college bound players and brought a 7-footer off the bench.

“It means a lot that we made history,” junior Julian Margrave said. “Even though we wanted the championship, and I wouldn’t say that we were satisfied with second, but we are pretty happy with what we got. We have all put in a lot of hard work, but we just ran up against a tough team.

“It was exciting and I think we were ready to going into the game against Miege. We know who they are, but we felt good about ourselves. We were ready for a dogfight.”

Louisburg, which faced off with 6A teams in Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission South earlier in the year, had yet to see a team with the talent that Bishop Miege sported.

“It was nice that we were able to schedule Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission South, and that was huge for us and see the speed of the game,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “That kind of competition was good for us, but Miege is on a whole other level. They have big guys and bring a 7-footer off the bench. They are quick and have guards that can shoot. We needed them to have an off night and they were just playing really well.

“I don’t think I’ve coached against a team that has had a 7-footer, much less brought one off the bench. He seemed taller than that too. They have quite the collection of talent there at Miege.”

Bishop Miege came out of the gates strong as the Stags outscored the Wildcats 27-13 in the first quarter and took a 48-23 halftime advantage.

The Wildcats, which struggled against Miege’s length, recorded six points in the third quarter.

The Stags’ 94 total points was the most points scored by a team in the state championship game, in any class, in the history of the state tournament.

Miege topped the previous best of 92 points by Blue Valley North in the 1997 Class 5A title game.

“We played a couple 6A teams, but this was nothing like that,” Guetterman said. “They have kids who are ranked among the best in the country, and we knew it would be a tall task, but we left it all out there. It just didn’t turn out how we wanted it to.”

Margrave led Louisburg in scoring with 15 points and six rebounds and Guetterman also scored in double figures with 10 points.

As tough as the loss was to take, the Wildcats still had plenty to celebrate.

“I feel so good for these kids,” Pfannenstiel said. “They have earned it and have earned every accolade that they have now. Through all their work in the offseason and during the season, it was just a lot of fun. I don’t think I have ever had this much fun coaching. It is not just because of the run that we’ve had, but it is fun to show up to your job every day when you have good kids.”

One the thing the loss did mean was the final game for seniors Andy Hupp, Dawson Barnes, Ben Guetterman, Konnor Vohs and Weston Guetterman.

“They were all key components,” Pfannenstiel said. “They were all important. Dawson and Hupp – those guys are undersized post players that can play great defense. They are very unselfish players and they just work hard and were exactly what we needed. 

“Konnor has had a heck of a year. He is Mr. Energy. He is a calm, cool kid and stepped up and knocked down some big free throws for us in the semifinals. He brings a lot of intensity for us. Ben can do a lot of things, and offensively when he gets hot, he really sparks us. He was good defensively and rebounding the ball. Weston was our motor and he could really make us go offensively. When his shot is falling, our offense really goes and they are all just great kids. They do everything the right way.”

Many of those seniors even got their chance to live out an opportunity they had been dreaming of since they were in elementary school.

“I couldn’t have written it any better,” Weston said. “One more win would have been nice, but we have been dreaming about this since we were in the third grade. Me, Konnor and Ben were at Wea and we always talked about how we were going to go down to Louisburg and win state. We were one game away, but I am just grateful for the opportunity.”

LOU 13 10 6 11 — 40

BM 27 21 22 24 — 94

LOUISBURG (18-7): Julian Margrave 6-18 1-1 15; Weston Guetterman 4-9 0-0 10; Ben Guetterman 3-8 0-0 7; Michael Seuferling 1-5 2-2 4; Andy Hupp 1-2 0-0 2; Konnor Vohs 0-4 2-2 2. 3-point field goals: 5, (Margrave 2, W. Guetterman 2, B. Guetterman)

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week 13 of the winter sports season, sponsored by Edward Jones-Craig Holtzen.

Konnor Vohs, Senior, Boys Basketball

Louisburg senior Konnor Vohs came up with several big plays this past week to help the Wildcats to their first state championship, but none were bigger than with nine seconds left in the state semifinals against Augusta last Thursday. Louisburg held a 3-point lead, but Vohs stepped to the free-throw line for two shots and knocked them both down to seal the victory for the Wildcats.

Vohs, who has been one of the team’s best defenders all season, did the same last week. He helped the Wildcats to two wins, including a state quarterfinal victory over Parsons and the win over Augusta to put Louisburg into the championship game. The Wildcats finished second in Class 4A, which is their best finish in school history.

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

Previous winners:

Week 1: Jordan Mynsted

Week 2: Julian Margrave

Week 3: Alec Younggren

Week 4: Megan Foote

Week 5: Madilyn Melton

Week 6: Michael Seuferling

Week 7: Cade Holtzen

Week 8: Ryan Owens

Week 9: Aiden Barker

Week 10: Weston Guetterman

Week 11: Alyse Moore

Weel 12: Ben Guetterman

The Louisburg girls basketball team hoists the Class 4A third-place state trophy Friday following their state semifinal loss to McPherson at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.

SALINA — The tears were abundant following Louisburg’s loss to McPherson on Friday 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.

“The girls were excited and nervous going out in the first quarter,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “They had never experienced a game like this before, or a venue. McPherson started out on fire, so that didn’t help our nerves either.”

Bullpup senior, and Pittsburg State commit, Grace Pyle scored 13 of her team-high 21 points in the first quarter and she was tough for the Lady Cats to stop early on.

“We were all very nervous going into that game,” senior Brooklyn Diederich said. “We have never experienced anything like that atmosphere. We knew that McPherson was a solid team, especially with them having the 5A player of the year (Pyle) from the last season on their team. We beat McPherson in the last three quarters. So if we weren’t as nervous the first quarter, I think we could have won.”

Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton helped bring the Lady Cats back as she scored nine of her team-high 21 points in the second quarter and a pair of free throws from Foote trimmed McPherson’s lead to 31-22 at halftime.

The Lady Cats went on another run to begin the third quarter. Louisburg was down 35-24, but Melton made back-to-back baskets, and junior Jordan Mynsted made one of her own to trim the McPherson lead to just five 

“I knew the girls were not going to give up,” Lane said. “Once we started running our press breaker and offense, we did a great job getting back into the game. They found their rhythm and battled each possession to get us within five points.  

“I think we surprised McPherson when we came back and I did feel the momentum turn in our direction in the third quarter. The 20-point lead was too much for us to overcome.”

McPherson put the game away early in the fourth quarter as it went on a 10-4 run to build its lead back up to 16.

“I think there were a lot of nerves before the game just because none of us had ever been in that position before and it kind of showed in the first quarter,” senior Alyse Moore said. “Once we started to realize that we were there for a reason, I think everyone trusted in one another and we just started to chip away at getting ourselves back in a good position. 

“I am so proud of my team and how hard that we worked to get ourselves back within five. “I think it says a lot about our character and the fight that each and every one of us has.”

Melton led Louisburg in scoring with 21 points in her final game as a Lady Cat. She also finished with a team-high seven rebounds and four blocks.

Moore was close to a double-double with eight points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Adyson Ross and Mynsted finished with seven and six points, respectively.

As the final buzzer sounded, reality began to set it for many of the Lady Cat players and their coach.

“This season has been so much fun for me,” Lane said. “It has been an honor coaching this team and I feel so blessed to be given the opportunity; not only coaching these young ladies, but I have loved getting to know them outside of the classroom.

“Seeing the seniors’ season come to an end was very sad. They welcomed me this year and I will miss them greatly. I really wish I could have coached them for more than one year, but I know all four of the seniors will do great things with their lives and I wish them the best.”

Melton, Moore, Diederich and Foote all played their final game as a Lady Cat player as all four have been a big part of the Louisburg program throughout their four-year career.

“This season exceeded my expectations and was by far the best season out of the four years that I have been here,” Moore said. “The way that Coach Lane stepped up and had as much success as she did in just one season is incredible and I am so thankful for all of her hard work and dedication. All of the coaches and my teammates made this season amazing and I will never forget it. 

“It was heartbreaking when the reality hit me that my Wildcat career would be over, but at the same time I couldn’t be more happy to end it on that note and with that team. It makes me so proud knowing that everything that we had been working for came true. I am going to miss it so much, but I am beyond thankful that I got to go out on such a high note.”

LOU 3 19 12 12 — 46

MCP 21 10 12 15 — 58

LOUISBURG (19-5): Madilyn Melton 7-9 6-6 21; Alyse Moore 4-6 1-2 8; Adyson Ross 3-4 0-0 7; Jordan Mynsted 3-7 0-0 6; Brooklyn Diederich 1-5  0-0 2; Megan Foote 0-3 2-2 2. Totals: 18-37 8-9 46. 3-point field goals: 2, (Melton, Ross)

The Louisburg basketball team celebrates following its 58-55 Class 4A state semifinal victory over Augusta on Thursday at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. The Wildcats will play in their first ever state championship on Saturday.

SALINA — When they were done in the locker room following their 58-55 state semifinal win over Augusta, the Louisburg boys raced to the concourse of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center.

It was there where they met a very large fan club that let out a roar that could be heard throughout the arena.

The victory put the Wildcats in the Class 4A state championship for the first time in school history and there was plenty to celebrate Thursday night in Salina.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Louisburg senior Weston Guetterman said of playing in the title game. “You walk out into the arena and it is just huge. It hits when you get out there. Right now we are just playing basketball and it will probably hit us afterward. Right now, we are just living in the moment.”

Guetterman and the Wildcats lived well against the Orioles as the senior point guard came up huge for the Wildcats when they needed him most.

He opened the game with nine points in the first quarter to help give Louisburg a seven-point lead at the end of the quarter. Then, when the Wildcats trailed in the fourth and Guetterman was saddled with four fouls, he rose to the occasion again.

He hit a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter to give Louisburg a 51-48 lead and then hit a pair of free throws to put the Wildcats up four with about a minute left.

Guetterman finished with a game-high 21 points and also had a team-high six steals and four assists as he played well on both ends of the floor.

“He played amazing,” junior Julian Margrave said. “Weston showed up when it was needed and hit some incredible shots that I knew he could hit. He just showed up and we really needed him.”

Margrave also came up big for the Wildcats as he scored 23 points and had eight rebounds. The Louisburg junior led the Wildcats back when they were down 46-44 with under four minutes in the game.

He scored five straight points, including converting an old-fashioned 3-point play after an assist from Konnor Vohs after an Augusta turnover.

“We really had to dig in,” Margrave said. “It was a really good change by coaches Pfannenstiel, Harding and Skakal to tell us to focus up. It was now or never in that moment and we didn’t want our season to end right there. We wanted to play for the championship.”

Augusta didn’t go away late as the Orioles tried to chip away at the Wildcat lead with several late baskets. Louisburg, however, answered each time at the free-throw line.

Weston Guetterman hit two, Ben Guetterman hit one to keep it at three, and then Vohs hit the biggest ones of the game.

With nine seconds left, the Louisburg senior sank two free throws to all but seal the win for the Wildcats and give them their best finish in school history – no matter what happens Saturday.

“They were huge,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “Konnor is a calm, cool kid. I had great confidence in him. He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low and he is a perfect guy to step up there and knock those down. His defense and energy was good as well and was big all night for us.”

The Wildcats (18-6) changed the game on the defensive end as they forced 11 Augusta turnovers and turned those into 16 points. Louisburg committed just four turnovers and took care of the ball on offense.

Louisburg also focused on slowing down Augusta’s Ely Wilcox, who hurt the Wildcats in January in the first matchup on the inside. They held Wilcox to just five points as he also sat out part of the first half in foul trouble.

“It was very similar to the last game we played them at Baldwin,” Pfannenstiel said. “They came back and stretched out a lead on us, and luckily it wasn’t as bad as that night. For our kids to battle like they did, it took some stops defensively, and we really had to stop Wilcox and we did a great job on him. It was a great team effort.”

Louisburg will have to take their defense to another level Saturday as its faces the No. 1 team in Class 4A, Bishop Miege. The two teams will square off at 2 p.m. tomorrow for the state championship.

The Stags have won three state titles in the last five years and were among the final four teams left at the state tournament last season before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will take a look at Miege,” Pfannenstiel said. “I haven’t thought or prepared for them because all my focus was on Augusta. We will do what we can to get a good game plan for Saturday. Our kids are looking forward to it.”

LOU 18 13 10 17 — 58

AUG 11 16 14 14 — 55

LOUISBURG (18-6): Julian Margrave 9-15 3-4 23; Weston Guetterman 8-14 2-2 21; Michael Seuferling 2-5 2-3 6; Konnor Vohs 1-4 2-2 4; Ben Guetterman 1-5 1-4 4. Totals: 21-43 10-15 58. 3-point field goals: 6, (W. Guetterman 3, Margrave 2, B. Guetterman)

The 1974 Louisburg girls basketball team was the last team to make it state before this season. Pictured above from the 1974 team is coach Betty Walters, Rhonda Howard and Renea Brady.

This year’s version of the Louisburg girls basketball team broke a 47-year drought last week when the Lady Cats captured a sub-state title.

It was a time of celebration and achievement as the Lady Cats finally made their way back to the state tournament. It caught the attention of many around town, including those who can relate to what those girls are feeling.

Members of the 1974 Louisburg team, which was the last team to qualify for state, know exactly what emotions they are going through right now.

“What I remember most about the honor of going to state and participating in the tournament was the camaraderie and fun we enjoyed together,” Terry (Raney) Shockey said. “Win or lose we were truly a proud group of girls always supporting each other and each individual’s skill for what they brought to the game. 

“Looking back this time was integral in our greater life lesson of growing up and was the foundation to our close friendships that we still have and enjoy even today.”

It is a strikingly similar description to the 2021 version of the Lady Cats. Throughout the season, they had each other backs and that helped them to just four losses on the season and a spot in the Class 4A state semifinals.

At one time, Louisburg was considered a regular at the state tournament.

The tournament, which started in 1973 for girls, was in its early stages when players like Sue (Truman) Apple, Rhonda (Howard) Kerr and Shockey made their debut and Louisburg qualified those first two years.

At that time, the opportunity for girls wasn’t like what it is now. Treatment for girls sports didn’t seem like a priority.

The 1974 season was just the third year of girls organized sports in Louisburg.

Still, the chance to attend a state tournament was an honor for those Lady Cats 47 years ago.

In the postseason, the Lady Cats defeated Humboldt in the Class 2A sub-state finals, before falling to Centralia, 47-27, in the first round of state in Hays.

“We had a great work ethic and our team just seemed to gel,” Kerr said. “We were all great friends and still are. We have gotten together pretty regular over the years. I remember leaving and having a great send off!  Our community was so supportive and proud of us. We even had a full page ad in the paper supporting us.”

Along with with those three, players like Renea (Brady) Hammett, Sharon (O’Brien) Brady, Debbie (Roberts) Stahl, Amy Qualizza, Therese Blanchon, Cindy (Pfannes) Laliberte and Eva Phillips helped the Lady Cats to a state appearance.

They were led by coach Betty Walters, who was in her first year of teaching at the time. Not only did she coach basketball, but she was also the school’s lone coach in volleyball and girls track. 

Walters did it all and found success in everything that she touched.

“Betty was a good coach and she worked us hard and got good results,” Apple said. “She was just out of college, so we were her first coaching job. She was our one and only coach for volleyball, basketball, and track. She took us to state in all three sports.”

Girls sports were obviously treated different back in the early 70s. The players wore the same uniform for volleyball, basketball and track and were forced to sacrifice for gym time, whether that meant practicing at 6 a.m. or waiting to practice at 7 at night to get access to a facility.

“We didn’t have the support that the girls have now,” Apple said. “We had our parents and that was about all — no students, pep band or anything like that.”

Girls basketball, and all sports in Louisburg, are drastically different 47 years later, but the thing that makes the 1974 and 2021 teams successful is still the same.

“I am so very proud and happy for this year’s team accomplishments,” Shockey said. “What I love about team sports is the very essence of what they stand for —a team. Players, coaches, parents and fans must be there for the winning combination.”

The Lady Cats definitely have that winning combination this year as they are led by four seniors in Alyse Moore, Megan Foote, Brooklyn Diederich and Madilyn Melton. Throw in juniors Delaney Wright and Jordan Mynsted, Sierra Hahn and sophomores Brianne Kuhlman, Adyson Ross, Delanie Tally, Emma Prettyman and Emma Lohse and Louisburg has put together a team that made school history.

They also have a coach, in Adrianne Lane, who has helped the girls stay focused and in just her first year on the job.

Even with all that success, it is the memories that will remain for all those players according to Kerr. 

“Hearing another team qualified for state brought back a lot of great memories,” Kerr said. “I have not gotten to watch the current team much, but it sounds like they are a very strong. They are the best of the best and have represented Louisburg wonderfully. I am so proud of them and I wish them the best and to please enjoy the moment.

“I spoke with a couple of my teammates and we were reminiscing and each of them each said it was so much fun and an adventure. I love those girls and we are still great friends.”

As I’m sure this year’s Lady Cats will be….some 47 years down the road.

The Louisburg girls basketball team celebrates following the Lady Cats’ dramatic 49-48 win over Labette County Tuesday in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

ALTAMONT — Alyse Moore went to the free-throw line with the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Louisburg was tied with Labette County at 48-all with eight seconds remaining in the Class 4A state quarterfinal game Tuesday. Moore had a chance to send the Lady Cats to the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

“I felt confident going to the line, but I knew that I had to do it for my team,” Moore said. “I had to do it for the community of Louisburg.”

Moore would make 1 of 2 free throws to put the Lady Cats in front and Labette County couldn’t get its last shot to fall as Louisburg advanced with a 49-48 victory on the road in Altamont.

The win automatically gave the Lady Cats their best finish in school history and they aren’t done yet as they will play in the state semifinals today in Salina against McPherson.

“I am just so happy right now that it is hard to put into words,” Moore said. “I am so, so proud of my team and how hard we have worked. The things that people don’t see, I think are showing off right now and I am so proud of all my teammates.”

The atmosphere at Labette County High School mirrored one of a state championship contest. 

In a loud gymnasium that made it difficult to think, much less talk, added another layer of difficulty in the Lady Cats’ victory – one they had to rally from five points down in the fourth quarter.

“That gym was the loudest gym I have ever coached in,” Louisburg coach Adrianne Lane said. “The environment was so awesome and I felt like I was in my element.

“I cannot even begin to say how proud I am of this team. They are fighters and they do not quit, no matter the situation. I never once thought we were going to lose, because I knew the team would battle back. I felt like we finally wore Labette County out with three minutes left in the game.”

It was then that the rally started. 

Melton scored with under four minutes remaining to cut the Labette County lead at 42-39, then on the Lady Cats’ next possession, Megan Foote tied it with a 3-pointer – her fourth of the night.

Melton answered the bell again as she scored on a reverse layup to put Louisburg up 44-42 with under two minutes remaining.

“During a game like that, you just got to do what you got to do,” Melton said. “They put so much pressure on us under the goal that we had to just go for it, and had to get creative. In the moment, I did not even think about it (reverse layup). It was the open path to score.  

“This game was very tough, very challenging mentally and physically. We knew that the battle was not over until the final buzzer, so we just kept fighting. The team’s determination and heart shown in that game. We put it out there for all to see.”

A Labette free throw cut the Louisburg lead to one, but with a minute left, junior Delaney Wright drove baseline and put up a runner that went in put Louisburg back up three.

“To be honest, I didn’t think it was going to go in,” Wright said. “Then when I saw it go in, I kinda couldn’t believe it. It was a great feeling. It is hard to put into words right now what this win means to me.”

Labette County knotted it up at 48 as Karsyn Stewart hit a 3-pointer in transition with 20 seconds left. 

Louisburg put up a shot to try and win it with 10 seconds left, but it rimmed off and Moore was there to try and grab the rebound and was fouled – which set up her heroics.

Moore, who is shooting just 35 percent from the line on the season, went up to the charity stripe with the confidence of a 90 percent shooter. She wasn’t about to let her team down.

“I wasn’t surprised that she made the free throw,” Lane said. “I know Alyse has struggled all year from the free-throw line, but I had faith in her. Alyse is the type of player that makes things happen and she was ready for that moment.”

As many plays as the Lady Cats made down the stretch offensively, it was their defense the entire game that kept them in it.

Despite shooting just 30 percent from the field and 52 percent from the free-throw line, the Lady Cats were strong defensively as they were constantly on the floor and diving for loose balls.

In all, Louisburg forced 20 Labette County turnovers, which led to 16 Lady Cat points and was one of the biggest differences in the game.

“Labette was really tough,” Foote said. “They’re physical and all-around good team. The atmosphere they created was also extremely difficult to play in. I thought we did an amazing job not letting them get to us and get us riled up. We never freaked out and we especially never gave up. 

“That game just shows how important perseverance and patience is.  We never once thought we were going to lose that game. Hustle and grit truly describes our team.”

It was Foote who led the Lady Cats in scoring with 15 points and was one of three to score in double figures. 

Junior Jordan Mynsted finished with 11 points and Melton had 10, to go along with eight rebounds.

Moore, who finished with two points, also tied a team-high with eight rebounds and had a team-best seven deflections.

Brooklyn Diederich, Delaney Wright and Foote provided strong defense from the guard spots and made things difficult on the Labette shooters.

“I am overjoyed knowing I’m a part of this historic team,” Foote said. “We will forever go down in history. I am not satisfied though. I think we can make even more history than we already have. I’m planning on us being the first ever basketball team to win state. My goals are set high and I know we can achieve them. We’re not done yet.”

The challenges only get tougher as the Lady Cats face a McPherson team that is a regular to the state tournament and ended the season as the No. 2 team in Class 4A.

The semifinal, which tips at 7 p.m. tonight at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina, could give the Lady Cats their toughest test of the season.

Still, they are looking forward to the challenge of playing on the highest stage.

“To play in Salina is absolutely an amazing feeling,” Melton said. “For me, it is a goal we set, fought for, believed in and achieved it. To experience this with my team and especially with Megan, Alyse, and Brooklyn, who have fought for this these last 4 years beside me, is an emotion I cannot put into words. All I can say is we did it girls. We made it. We deserve to play on that court and no matter what happens, I wouldn’t want to be there with anyone else.”

LOU 11 12 9 17 — 49

LC 14 12 8 14 — 48

LOUISBURG (19-4): Megan Foote 4-14 3-4 15; Jordan Mynsted 5-7 1-2 11; Madilyn Melton 3-9 4-5 10; Delaney Wright 2-5 1-3 5; Brooklyn Diederich 1-6 0-0 3; Adyson Ross 1-2 0-0 2; Alyse Moore 0-7 2-7 2; Brianne Kuhlman 0-2 1-2 1. Totals: 16-52 12-23 49. 3-point field goals: 5, (Foote 4, Diederich)

The Louisburg boys basketball team hopes to celebrating some more following tonight’s state semifinal game against Augusta.

If playing for the right to go the school’s first state championship game wasn’t enough, the Louisburg boys basketball team has a little extra motivation in its back pocket.

The Wildcats, which faces off with Augusta in the Class 4A state semifinals at 7 p.m. tonight in Salina, will have revenge on their minds.

Back in late January, Augusta defeated Louisburg in the championship game of the Baldwin Invitational. Not only did the Orioles defeat the Wildcats, but they did it in dramatic fashion.

Augusta’s Brendan Parker hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Orioles a 43-40 win and left Louisburg with a sour taste in its mouth.

“We haven’t forgot it and that is only fueling the fire,” senior Konnor Vohs said. “We are ready to play some basketball. The team has developed quite a bit since that game. With the Augusta loss, we began a 3-game losing streak and we were in an offensive slump. Since then our offense has been rolling and our defensive intensity has increased tremendously.”

So when Louisburg found out it would be playing the Orioles in the state semifinals following the Wildcats’ 62-30 quarterfinal win over Parsons on Monday, they were more than ready to face the Orioles.

It would be the second stop on the revenge tour for Louisburg. Last Friday, the Wildcats avenged a season-ending loss a year ago to Iola as they rolled the Fillies in the sub-state championship game.

“To be honest, you couldn’t right the narrative any better,” senior Weston Guetterman said. “We already got our shot at Iola from last year’s postseason loss and now we get the opportunity to play a team that we have already played this season, and in a close game at that. It will be a fun, exciting game and hopefully the outcome is different than earlier this season.”

In that game in Baldwin City, Louisburg actually took a 20-15 lead at halftime in what was a defensive battle. 

Augusta would eventually build a 10-point fourth quarter lead, only to see Louisburg rally back to tie the game on a Guetterman free throw with 35 seconds left.

The Orioles would hold for one shot and knocked down the 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Augusta again,” junior Julian Margrave said. “They got us last time we played them with a buzzer beater and it left a very sour taste in our mouths. We know who we are and are ready to leave in all on the court this weekend.”

Louisburg (17-6) has been on a tear as of late as the Wildcats have won nine of their last 10 games and have been dominant in the postseason. The have won by an average of 21 points per game.

The Wildcats know it will be a lot harder from here on out with Augusta, and possibly Class 4A state power Bishop Miege looming on the other side of the bracket.

Still, the Wildcats have developed an identity over the past month – one that plays tough defense and will never quit.

“It will be different out in Salina, obviously, but our kids are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We have a strong mentality on defense. We’ve always said we are going to have a shot in any game if we can continue with that, I like our chances.”

The winner between Louisburg and Augusta will play the winner of Bishop Miege (20-1) and Andale (18-5) at 2 p.m. on Saturday in championship game. 

Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton recorded her 500th career rebound last Saturday in the Lady Cats’ sub-state championship victory over Fort Scott.

In the midst of all the excitement of winning a sub-state championship and becoming the first team to qualify for state in 47 years, Louisburg senior Madilyn Melton reached a milestone of her own.

Melton recorded 11 rebounds in the Lady Cats’ sub-state victory over Fort Scott on Saturday and that ninth one was special.

Late in the fourth quarter, Melton pulled down her 500th career rebound, and at the time had no idea that she was even close.

Head coach Adrianne Lane called a timeout right after it happened and her teammates let her know exactly what she had accomplished. 

“Reaching a goal like 500 rebounds is a huge accomplishment,” Melton said. “I play with some amazing girls and we all work hard to get those rebounds. To reach this is exciting. These type of goals are set as a freshman and we work four years to reach them.”

Melton is the second Lady Cat to reach such a milestone in less than a month. In February, senior Alyse Moore reached the 500-rebound mark on the road against Shawnee Mission South.

Rebounding is a job that both players take very seriously.

“Playing with Alyse and the rest of the seniors has been an amazing journey,” Melton said. “Alyse is a gifted player and the teammate everyone should have.  To share an accomplishment like this with her is quite an honor. I am thankful to play with a team that trusts us to get the job done under the goal.”

They have certainly done that as the Lady Cats are onto the Class 4A state semifinals and both players have been big reasons why.

“I am super proud of her,” Moore said. “It is pretty cool to think that between us we have more than a 1,000 rebounds together. It was cool to see her reaction when she came off the floor. She has earned this and I am so proud of her accomplishment.”

No one appreciates the ability to rebound more than the head coach.

“Rebounding is a huge part of our game, we hit the boards hard on offense and defense as a team,” Lane said. “Having two seniors reach the 500 rebound milestone this year shows how hard we work to rebound. Madilyn pulling down 500 career rebounds is so exciting and I am so proud of her.”