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.”

Junior Julian Margrave hi-fives teammate Ben Guetterman (22) towards the end of the Wildcats’ 62-30 win over Parsons on Monday in the Class 4A state quarterfinals at Louisburg High School.

It has been 73 years since the Louisburg boys basketball team placed third at a state tournament.

In 1948, the Wildcats took third place overall, which is considered the best finish in school history and also took fourth in 1979. Those are the only two times a Wildcat team has placed at state.

This year’s version of the Wildcats have duplicated that feat, and have the chance to better it, following their 62-30 state quarterfinal win Monday over Parsons.

For the first time in school history, Louisburg hosted the Class 4A state quarterfinal and the victory moves them to the state semifinals starting Thursday in Salina.

“Not many teams have made it up in the state column banner in the LHS gym,” senior Konnor Vohs said. “Our success is among very few and we are very thankful for the chance to be the third team to make it this far. The feeling is beyond imaginable and we look forward to taking Louisburg to its first state championship in basketball history.”

The Wildcats will have to win one more game to get there as Louisburg, which earned the No. 3 seed, will face off with No. 2 Augusta at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.

The winner of that game will face the winner of No. 1 Bishop Miege and No. 4 McPherson at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the championship.

“It feels good to be a final four team in Kansas,”  junior Julian Margrave said. “All our hard work is definitely paying off and people are starting to take notice of who we are.”

Parsons got a first-hand look at a Wildcat team that has now won nine out of its last 10 games and has been dominant in the postseason. 

Louisburg, which took 23-16 halftime lead, broke the game open in the second half as it outscored the Vikings, 39-14, in the final two quarters to cruise into the semifinals.

It started on the defensive end of the floor for Louisburg as the Wildcats held Parsons to just 24 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. They also out-rebounded the Vikings, 39-20.

“Defense was our focus to start the game,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “We kind of challenged them to hold Parsons to single digits each quarter. You know you say that and hope that it can be done, but then you go out and do it and it is just a great testament to our players.

“I think we held them to 8, 8, 5 and 9, so you know we did we did a good job defensively. We want to make things tough for them and to contest their shots. Their shooters didn’t get many open shots and we didn’t let them get to the paint. It was a good effort all-around.”

Margrave and senior Ben Guetterman got the Wildcat offense going in the third. Guetterman knocked down a 3-pointer to open the second half and Margrave followed with a run of his own.

With the Wildcats up 10, Margrave scored six straight points, including two on a breakaway dunk after a steal. Louisburg ended the quarter on a 12-4 run.

Senior Dawson Barnes and junior Michael Seuferling combined to score the first eight points of the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats pull away.

“I think that we played a good all-around game,” Louisburg senior Weston Guetterman said. “Everyone played a great game and we all played to our roles and it lead to us pulling away there in the second half.

“Our defense has really come on this season. Our mentality is that we can always control how our defense plays so if we have an off-night offensively we feel like we will still have a good shot to win because of our defense.”

Margrave led the Wildcats with a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Ben Guetterman also scored in double figures with 13 points, six rebounds and a team-high three steals.

Seuferling finished with eight points, while Weston Guetterman had a big night at the point guard spot with 11 rebounds and a team-high seven assists to go along with five points.

Vohs was second on the team with four assists, including one where he saved the ball from going out of bounds and found an open teammate for an easy score.

“Going into the game, the whole team was pumped and ready to play,” Vohs said. “We were confident in the game plan and we came out and executed. I think we played aggressive which allowed us to take a lead. The second half just brought more energy that allowed us to feed off of and let us get the win.”

Now Louisburg will focus on trying to get to the school’s first state championship. The Kansas State High School Activities Association will not play third place games this year, and instead will award the loser of each semifinal a third place trophy.

However, that is not what the Wildcats want.

“It is nice to know that we have already at least tied the best finish in school history, but we aren’t satisfied with third,” Weston Guetterman said. “Especially since there isn’t a third place game, we want to advance to the championship and play for a title.”

LOU 14 9 16 23 — 62

PAR 8 8 5 9 — 30

LOUISBURG (17-6): Julian Margrave 8-14 2-3 20; Ben Guetterman 4-12 3-4 13; Michael Seuferling 4-4 0-0 8; Dawson Barnes 3-4 0-0 6; Weston Guetterman 2-9 1-2 5; Maverick Rockers 2-4 0-0 5; Mack Newell 1-1 0-0 3; Konnor Vohs 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 25-53 6-9 62. 3-point field goals: 6, (B. Guetterman 2, Margrave 2, Rockers, Newell)

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week twelve of the winter sports season.

Ben Guetterman, Senior, Boys Basketball

Louisburg senior Ben Guetterman had a big week last week and Monday for the Wildcat boys basketball team as he helped them to a sub-state championship and state quarterfinal victory. In the sub-state championship against Iola and the state quarterfinal against Parsons, Guetterman combined to scored 25 points and had 11 rebounds to go along with a team-high seven steals during that stretch. He also finished with seven points and seven rebounds in a sub-state semifinal win over Paola.

On the season, Guetterman is third on the team in scoring as he is averaging 11 points a game and is second on the team in rebounding with nearly five a game.

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

Louisburg seniors (from left) Alyse Moore, Brooklyn Diederich, Megan Foote and Madilyn Melton hoist the Class 4A sub-state championship trophy Saturday following the Lady Cats’ 51-27 win over Fort Scott.

Back in middle school, six future Louisburg girls basketball players wrote down their basketball goals on a note card.

Their coaches at the time, Jim Foote and Andy Wright, asked them to set goals for themselves and what they wanted to accomplish on the basketball court.

It was an overwhelming majority – they all either wanted to make it to state or win a state title. State was always their goal.

So following their 51-27 win over Fort Scott in the Class 4A sub-state championship game Saturday, Foote dusted off those cards and showed them to the girls.

It was a blast from the past of sorts. For the last six or seven years, they wanted to be the ones to break the program’s long state drought.

So when seniors Megan Foote, Brooklyn Diederich, Alyse Moore, Madilyn Melton and juniors Delaney Wright and Jordan Mynsted read those cards, there was an obvious sense of achievement.

“It has been our goal for as long as I can remember,” senior Megan Foote said. “I can’t stop smiling. I’m so proud of this team. We have been through so much together, and to be able to win sub-state is a huge accomplishment.”

Yes, in anti-climatic fashion, the Lady Cats became the first team since 1974 to earn a state bid and ended the program’s 47 year absence. Years of hard work led to this moment.

“We wanted nothing more than to get our year on that (state) board,” Melton said. “With a year like the one we have had, it is a great feeling to know we have brought excitement into the school and community. Breaking the drought is a great achievement. Many great players have come before us and I feel like we won it for them.”

In a year where the Lady Cats didn’t even practice as a full team until after their first game, they rallied to put together one of the best season’s in school history as they moved their record to 18-4 after their victory Saturday.

Three of those losses have come at the hands of a Class 6A program, two Class 5A teams and a ranked 3A squad in Nemaha Central. They did all this under a first-year head coach in Adrianne Lane.

“I am so proud to be a part of this team,” Lane said. “The girls are fighters and they deserve to make history. It has been so much fun seeing the girls come together this season. We have overcome several obstacles, but this team’s perseverance has taken us to where we are.”

The Lady Cats have persevered and battled to get to this point, but it has been their defense in the last couple of months that has helped them get to where they are and it showed again Saturday.

Louisburg held Fort Scott to just 21 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. It is that kind of pressure that has put the Lady Cats in this position.

“I think our defense is the key to us winning most of our games,” Diederich said. “We all give 110 percent when we are on defense and we are always hustling.

“It is a super exciting feeling to go to state. We have always had this goal from day one to go to state. So, finally achieving this goal was a huge accomplishment.”

The Lady Cats held Fort Scott to single digit scoring in each of the four quarters, including a five-point fourth that helped Louisburg pull away.

“Man, this team is good at defense,” Lane said. “I love coaching teams that battle and play hard like this group. No matter what team we are playing I feel that we have someone on our team that can guard the other team’s best player. 

“A big part of our success on the defensive side of the ball is the way we help each other, and box out. This shows how unselfish the girls are. They are willing to step and help and box out in all situations.”

Both Moore and Mynsted almost had double-doubles to help lead Louisburg. Mynsted finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Moore had nine points and 10 rebounds.

However, it was Melton that achieved a big milestone for the Lady Cats. She joined Moore as she recorded her 500th career rebound in the fourth quarter.

Melton finished with a team-high 11 rebounds and had seven points and two blocks.

Foote added eight points to go along with a team-high six deflections and four steals. Moore and Wright led Louisburg with three assists each.

“I am honestly super proud of my team,” Moore said. “It’s amazing to be able to say that we made history in Louisburg and that we can make our community proud, especially our school and just represent them well.”

Now the Lady Cats will try for the best finish in school history tonight when they travel to Labette County (19-2) for the Class 4A state quarterfinals. A win would give them the best finish in school history and they are looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be a tough week for sure, but I believe we’re ready,” Foote said. “Right after the game on Saturday, we scheduled a film session for the next day. We take it one game at a time. Once one game is over, we move on to the next. Obviously we’re very excited and hyped up, but I think that’ll make us even better because we have something to prove. 

“We are focused and coming into practice to compete. Labette is a talented team and has a great atmosphere to play in. I believe we play better on the road as well. We are 100 percent focused and we will be using the momentum from Saturday to our advantage.”

Labette County is an experienced postseason team that has been to state five of the last seven seasons. Louisburg has spent the last two days trying to prepare for a team they haven’t seen before, but it is excited for the opportunity.

“Labette County is a solid team and they have experience playing in the state tournament,” Lane said. “That being said, I think the girls are ready for the challenge and I think we will show up and play hard. I feel that some of our best games of the season were played on the road, so the girls will be mentally ready. It will be a fun day for the girls, and we plan to enjoy it and battle every possession.”

LOU 13 16 7 15 — 51

FS 6 8 8 5 — 27

LOUISBURG (18-4): Jordan Mynsted 4-9 3-3 12; Alyse Moore 3-9 3-3 9; Megan Foote 1-5 5-6 8; Madilyn Melton 3-6 1-2 7; Brooklyn Diederich 2-8 0-0 5; Adyson Ross 2-4 0-0 4; Emma Lohse 1-2 0-0 2; Delanie Tally 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 18-55 12-16 51. 3-point field goals: 3, (Diederich, Mynsted, Foote)

Members of the Louisburg sub-state champion basketball teams are (front row, from left) Emma Lohse, Maverick Rockers, Sierra Hahn, Cade Gassman, Brooklyn Diederich, Isaac Guetterman, Delanie Tally, Michael Seuferling; (middle row) Andy Hupp, Delaney Wright, Ben Guetterman, Megan Foote, Konnor Vohs, Brianne Kuhlman, Weston Guetterman, Adyson Ross; (back row) Emma Prettyman, Julian Margrave, Jordan Mynsted, Mack Newell, Alyse Moore, Colyer Wingfield, Madilyn Melton and Dawson Barnes.

Almost a year ago I was sitting at the first round of the Big 12 tournament, excited for my favorite time of the year — March Madness.

Life has changed a lot since then.

I still vividly remember a phone call from my wife while watching hoops from the now T-Mobile Center. There was a lot of worry in her voice.

She had no idea why people were fighting over toilet paper in Price Chopper. Why were they panicking over something they had no idea what it was yet? It wasn’t food or water for heaven’s sake!

The next day was even more puzzling. Tournaments across the country were cancelled. State high school events were stopped in their tracks and never finished.

Even worse news came as spring sports were later cancelled and were people were forced to shelter in their homes. We more or less become a ghost country.

A year later, our lives are completely changed. We are having to do things differently, be more cautious and for some, outlook on every day life is incomparable to what we had before.

One thing that has risen back is March Madness and Louisburg is right in the thick of it all.

In a year where they have been challenges with practices and playing games due to COVID-19, both the Wildcat boys and girls basketball teams have put together one of the best seasons in school history.

It was an incredible weekend at Louisburg High School as the boys won their first sub-state title since 2017 on Friday. The girls earned a state berth for the first time since 1974 – breaking a 47 year drought – on Saturday.

Both teams are currently ranked in the top five in the state and are one of eight teams left standing in Class 4A. It is something that has never been done in school history.

That is a feat among itself, but do it in these challenging times says a lot about the players and coaches of both programs.

Boys head coach Ty Pfannenstiel and girls head coach Adrianne Lane have done a great job keeping their players focused and limiting distractions throughout the season.

For the girls team, though, it didn’t start out that smoothly.

Many members of the Lady Cats were forced to quarantine when practice began in November and they didn’t have their complete team on the court until the first game in early December. They never got a chance to practice together as team before that season opener against Tonganoxie.

Despite that, they won their first eight games and ended the season with an 16-4 record and finished second in a tough Frontier League.

They are now onto the state tournament for the first time since 1974 – the second year of the girls state basketball. 

As for the boys, they have faced an up and down season of their own, but the Wildcats have to put together a strong finish to a year that put them as the No. 2 team in the state rankings.

Louisburg has won eight of its last nine games, with the Wildcats’ only loss coming to state ranked Shawnee Mission South, a Class 6A program.

Both teams are loaded with talent, but the one thing the two have in common is a strong senior class. In most years, seniors provide leadership and it is evident on both sides.

Weston Guetterman, Ben Guetterman, Konnor Vohs, Andy Hupp and Dawson Barnes have all played vital roles on this year’s boys team. Add in juniors Julian Margrave – who is the team’s leading scorer – Michael Seuferling and Maverick Rockers and the Wildcats have a solid rotation that stacks up with some of the best in the state.

For the girls, Madilyn Melton, Megan Foote, Brooklyn Diederich and Alyse Moore have played basketball together since the seventh grade when they recorded a perfect season for LMS. Many of them have played basketball since they were little and have a deep love for the game.

It shows on the court as those four girls, along with juniors Delaney Wright, Jordan Mynsted and sophomores Brianne Kuhlman and Adyson Ross, play with a reckless abandon – especially on the defensive end of the floor.

Folks, this type of stuff doesn’t happen every year when it comes to state basketball – unless your name is Bishop Miege or McPherson. For a school to put two teams in the state tournament is a remarkable story.

School history had already been made, but there is much more to be had.

If the boys win tonight, the Wildcats will — at worst — tie for the best finish in program history when Louisburg took third in 1948.

As for the girls, well if they haven’t already accomplished enough to break a long state drought, a win over Labette County on Tuesday would give the Lady Cats the best finish in school history for a program that began in the early 70s.

Louisburg already made history in the fall when the girls cross country and boys soccer team each finished third at state and had the best season in its program’s tenure.

So, why not them?

Wildcat fans, for those of you who haven’t joined the hype train yet, there is still plenty of room. Find yourself a voucher and come out and support both teams as they both try to accomplish something that is unprecedented for Louisburg athletics. 

Enjoy these teams while we have them — they don’t come around often.

The Louisburg boys basketball team hoists the Class 4A sub-state championship trophy Friday following its win over Iola.

A year ago, with its season on the line, the Louisburg boys basketball team came out slow against Iola and the Fillies ended the Wildcats’ season in the sub-state semifinals.

It was a heartbreaking loss to many on the team as the Wildcats rallied to score 32 points in the fourth quarter, only to fall in overtime.

Fast forward to the present and Louisburg had the opportunity to exact revenge against Iola – this time in the sub-state championship.

There was no slow start this time around. 

Louisburg’s defense frustrated Iola for much of the game as it held the Fillies to nine first half points and the Wildcats cruised to a 57-32 sub-state championship victory Friday in Louisburg.

“We needed no other motivation because we knew from last year that this was the game we wanted,” Louisburg junior Julian Margrave said. “Weston (Guetterman) and I were talking before the season started about wanting to see them again and we finally got it. We proved that we are a state team.”

The Wildcats, who are currently ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, earned their first state berth since 2017 and there are plenty of family connections between the two teams.

Ben and Isaac Guetterman’s brother, Sam, played on the 2017 squad, as did Michael Seuferling’s brother, Alex. The Guetterman’s and Seuferling’s are also distant cousins.

“Earning a state berth is great and I have always wanted to do this ever since I saw my brother (Sam) go in 2017,” Ben said. “I have waited four years for this and we have all put in a lot of hard work. To go to state and have a winning record like we do feels awesome. There are lots of memories being made right now.”

To go back even further in Wildcat lore, Konnor Vohs’ dad, Kevin, was the starting point guard for the 1999 state team. His uncle, Rob, was a starter on the Wildcats’ 1991 state team.

“It’s something else,” Konnor said. “He (Kevin) talks about it all the time and I need to live up to that I guess. I’m wearing No. 11, same as him, and it’s just huge and it’s sweet to be able to share something like that with him. It’s a pretty awesome feeling.”

The Wildcats (16-6) played like a family in the sub-state tournament as they defeated a good Paola team in the semifinals and then exacted revenged with a 25-point win Friday.

“Our kids really enjoy being around each other and we played our best by just playing unselfish basketball,” Louisburg coach Ty Pfannenstiel said. “They’ve really bought into the defensive side of it  because that’s something that all five guys on the court have to buy into for you to be successful.”

Louisburg had no problem on that end of the floor as the Wildcats held Iola to just 32 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers. Those Iola mistakes turned into 14 Louisburg points and were just one of the many reasons the Wildcats were successful.

The Wildcats held the Fillies to nine first half points and held them to single digits for three of the four quarters.

“We played great as a team and it carried over from our defensive performance the game before,” Weston Guetterman said. “To hold both Paola and Iola to single digits in the first half is a nice accomplishment. I feel like we did a good job defending their best offensive player and it was a good night.”

Their defense allowed them to get some rhythm offensively early on.

Louisburg scored 18 first quarter points, 11 of those coming from Margrave who scored the final seven of the quarter. Two of those points brought the crowd to its feet when Weston Guetterman threw an alley-oop to Margrave, who dunked it home.

“We’ve had that play in all season and we have been just been looking for the right time,” Weston said. “There was just a little time on the clock and just felt it was a good time to take a chance on it and it ended up working out. It gave everyone energy, the crowd went wild and we fed off that and it carried with us the rest of the game.”

The game was almost out of reach at halftime as the Wildcats took a 32-9 advantage. The Fillies cut the Louisburg lead to 20 on a couple different occasions, but could get no closer.

Margrave led Louisburg with a team-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and three blocks. Ben Guetterman also scored in double figures with 12 points, five boards and a team-high four steals.

Weston Guetterman nearly had a double-double with nine points and a team-high seven assists. Michael Seuferling had seven points and six rebounds.

“It’s been a quite awhile since we’ve been there (state) and being a senior and having some seasons where we didn’t get too many wins, this is huge,” Vohs said. “We have a hell of a team this year and we are ready for the next one.”

That next one for the Wildcats will be a tough test as they will host Parsons at 6 p.m. on Monday for the state quarterfinals. The Vikings have now qualified for the state tournament four years in a row.

“We just have to stay focused,” Margrave said. “Some people might go out and celebrate, but I’m not. I just want to stay humble and be ready to go for Monday. I know Parsons is a good team, but we have to be ready.”

As much as the Wildcats are happy to earn the school’s 13th state appearance, there is much more they want to accomplish.

A victory over Parsons would be just the third time in school history that the Wildcats would be guaranteed a place at state. Louisburg placed fourth in 1979 and third in 1948.

The Class 4A final four will be held on Friday and Saturday in Salina.

“Honestly, right now I am just excited for the next game,” Weston said. “We are not done here and we want to win the next one. We have bigger goals for ourselves. The feeling gets better and better every time we win.”

LOU 18 14 10 15 — 57

IOLA 5 4 14 9 — 32

LOUISBURG (16-6): Julian Margrave 5-11 3-4 16; Ben Guetterman 5-11 0-1 12; Weston Guetterman 3-5 3-3 9; Michael Seuferling 1-5 5-6 7; Maverick Rockers 1-3 2-2 5; Konnor Vohs 1-1 0-0 3; Andy Hupp 1-6 1-2 3; Dawson Barnes 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 18-48 14-18 57. 3-point field goals: 7, (Margrave 3, B. Guetterman 2, Rockers, Vohs)