The Louisburg Wildcats used grit and late-match heroics to secure a third-place finish at the Fort Scott Dual Tournament last Friday at Fort Scott High School.

Louisburg went 4-2 on the day, opening the tournament with three straight victories.

The Wildcats started fast, edging Anderson County 42-37 in the opener — a dual that came down to the final match. Heavyweight Owen Ebenstein delivered the decisive blow, pinning his opponent to clinch the team victory.

“The boys showed up and wrestled like I know they are capable of,” Louisburg coach Shawn Crossley said. “Before we started I told them there were three ranked teams we would wrestle and we had a chance to make a statement early in the season.”

Louisburg made another statement in round two, earning a tight 39-36 win over 3-2-1A No. 6 Jayhawk-Linn, again sealed in the final match — this time with heavyweight Hunter Brotherton, who closed the dual with a pin.

Crossley said one of the day’s most memorable performances came earlier in that dual, when freshman Sylas Weichert (120) battled the state’s No. 3 ranked wrestler, Tanner Holt, to the wire.

“Sylas wrestled him to a very close match,” Crossley said. “We had a team meeting after that dual and I could tell they were hyped. They were starting to see that if they wrestled up to their potential, we could wrestle with some of the best.”

Louisburg rolled into its third dual and handled host Fort Scott 54-27 to improve to 3-0. That dual — and the moment of the day — belonged to Tristan Weller (150).

Weller trailed 12–5 when his opponent bit him to stop the action. The officials ruled the bite incidental.

“Tristan was rightfully angry and upset,” Crossley said.

Entering the final period still down seven, Weller insisted on choosing the top position.

“He told me he wanted to choose top and he knew he could turn the kid,” Crossley said. “Coach (Shea) Cox and I liked his confidence and Tristan pinned him like he said he was going to. I was very impressed with how he handled himself — gathering himself and hitting the reset button.”

Louisburg’s momentum was halted in round four with a 56-22 loss to 3-2-1A No. 2 Atchison County, but the Wildcats still found bright spots.

At 190 pounds, Vance Hahn pushed the state’s No. 2–ranked wrestler, Elijah Webb, to the ultimate tiebreaker before falling by an escape point.

“Vance came up just short, but I think he looked strong,” Crossley said. “He understands what he could have done differently next time.”

Louisburg bounced back with a 54-27 win over Prairie View before closing with a 50-25 loss to No. 6 in 5A, Blue Valley Southwest.

Despite the tough closing matchup, Crossley said the Wildcats proved plenty.

“All in all, the positives we took away from the Fort Scott duals is that the hard work we’ve been putting in at practice is paying off,” he said. “We are young but experienced. The team continues to buy in and it’s paying dividends. This was an early-season measuring stick, and I think we exceeded some expectations. I was extremely pleased with how we performed.”

Wildcat girls compete at Olathe West

The Louisburg High School girls wrestling team stepped into one of the state’s toughest early-season environments Friday, finishing 15th as a team at the Wild West Classic hosted by Olathe West.

Despite injuries and several wrestlers still settling into weight classes, the Wildcats turned in a gritty performance highlighted by multiple individual honors.

Maliya Collins led the way with a 3-2 record and three pins to place seventh at 125 pounds. At 155, Leola Eslinger also secured seventh place with a 2-2 day.

Other notable efforts included Alina Wojciechowski (120) and Brianna Caraway (140) going 2-3 for 10th, Allison Martin (145) finishing 2-2 with two pins for ninth, and freshman Mya McKitrick placing 11th at 100 with a pin. Nora Smith earned her first career pin while wrestling up a weight class at 170.

Louisburg totaled 115 points to finish 15th in a loaded 21-team field topped by Manhattan, Staley and Kearney.

Head coach Shawn Crossley said he was proud of the resilience his squad showed throughout a demanding day.

“It’s a tough early season tournament,” Crossley said. “Going into it, the girls were still trying to determine what weights they were wrestling. When the dust settled, they all made the weights they said they would that afternoon.

“We were a little banged up going into the tournament, but the girls gutted it out and battled all day long. Maliya and Leola both took seventh, one short of the podium. Maliya had a good day, going 3-2 with three pins. Nora Smith got her first career pin, and she was wrestling up a weight, so I was very excited for her. Mya McKitrick, as a freshman, continues to impress with her mental and physical toughness.”

TOPEKA — The Louisburg High School cheer team added another trophy to its growing collection on Nov. 22, earning the Class 4A state runner-up title at the Game Day Cheer Championships at Stormont-Vail Events Center.

The Wildcats posted an 87.73 in the finals to take second place behind defending state champion Paola, which won with a 94.27. Holton finished third at 85.

For Louisburg, the return to the podium was nothing new. The Wildcats have now finished in the top three six times in the last seven seasons, cementing themselves as one of the state’s most consistent programs.

Louisburg entered the finals in fourth place, boosted by a Fight Song and Crowd Leading routine that ranked second among all teams. The Wildcats had roughly 20 minutes to review score sheets and adjust before stepping back onto the mat—pressure they handled with poise.

“It was truly a special day for all of us,” head coach Breanna Kostroske said. “From the moment we arrived, the athletes were focused, calm, and determined. They’ve poured so much into this season, so seeing them step onto the mat with confidence and joy made the entire experience incredibly meaningful.”

Kostroske said the moment resonated deeply for both veterans and newcomers.

“For our seniors, it was a moment they’ve been working toward for years, and for our younger athletes, it showed what’s possible through commitment and teamwork,” she said.

When the Wildcats climbed from fourth to second in the finals, the emotions ran high.

“Earning the runner-up title was surreal,” Kostroske said. “We were proud, emotional, and genuinely grateful. The team put out one of their strongest performances of the year at exactly the right time. And being able to keep the top two spots within Miami County made it even more special.”

Their preliminary performance set the stage for a special day for Louisburg as it got out to a great start with its Fight Song and Crowd Leading performance that helped put them in the top six to make the finals.

“The team handled prelims really well,” Kostroske said. “Their fight song and crowd-leading felt strong, and they stepped off the mat knowing they had set themselves up for a chance at finals. When we heard our name announced, the reaction was pure joy—cheering, some tears, lots of hugs.”

Louisburg’s finals routine came with the added challenge of competing against a Paola team that has now won four state titles in the last five years.  

“The team knew the finals would be tough, especially with a talented Paola squad in the mix, but they went in confident in their preparation,” Kostroske said. “Even with the quick turnaround, they stayed composed and focused. Their ability to adapt and elevate their performance showed just how strong and resilient this group really is.”

Kostroske said this year’s squad has been defined by its dedication.

“This is one of the hardest-working groups I’ve ever coached,” she said. “They train year-round—tryouts in March, the season starts in April, then summer practices, skills camps, and regular practices once school begins. We usually practice two days a week for four hours each, and before state, they were practicing four days a week for four hours to perfect every detail.”

Members of the team are: Laney Stohs, Kayleigh Ramsey, Julia Combs, Wiktoria Sulzc, Harper Boyle, Brooklyn Roney, Kim Powls, Will Leach, Reese Anderson, Addison Bishop, Reece Younggren, Kelsey Shelton, Gretchen Reitz, Lilly Burnett, Elle Keating, Leia Ward, Kinsley Rayne, Brylee Manson, Evalyn Cannon and Saylor Dansel.

The Louisburg High School Jazzy Cats made their mark in program history on Nov. 21, earning a third-place finish in Class 4A at the State Game Day Spirit Showcase at the Stormont-Vail Events Center in Topeka.

In their first-ever trip to state competition, the Jazzy Cats not only reached the finals but left with some hardware.

Coach Sarah Alexander said the entire experience was meaningful, not only because of the results, but because it was all uncharted territory for the program.

“This was the first time the Jazzy Cats had ever attended state, so the entire experience was brand new for all of us,” Alexander said. “To come home with a state plaque was absolutely incredible. The girls were thrilled just to have the opportunity to compete, and bringing home a plaque made all of their hard work feel truly rewarding. It was such a special moment for the team and a huge milestone for our program.”

Louisburg scored 81.41 in the finals, just enough to edge Holton (81.23) by the slimmest of margins for the final spot on the podium. Ottawa won the state championship with a score of 90.13, while Bishop Miege secured second at 85.77.

The Jazzy Cats’ journey to that third-place finish was far from straightforward. After the preliminary round, Louisburg found itself in fifth place but safely inside the cutoff to qualify for the finals. The team’s strong early showing was highlighted by the second-highest Band Dance score in the entire 4A field—a boost that helped solidify their place among the top six.

The State Game Day format requires athletes to perform three routines—Fight Song, Band Chant, and a Dance Routine—back-to-back with no breaks. Each category must stay under 60 seconds, and the total performance including transitions cannot exceed three minutes. Alexander said the team handled those demands well.

“Overall, their performance was strong, synchronized, and full of energy,” she said. “The girls executed all three with precision, energy, and seamless transitions, which made their performance even more impressive given the tight time constraints.”

Based on practices and their competition prep, Alexander said she felt confident the team would perform well. But at state, the Jazzy Cats elevated their routine even further.

“During their prelims performance, they really kicked it into high gear,” she said. “Going into finals, we didn’t know exactly where we were sitting, only that we were in the top six. In the finals, the girls brought their best dance technique, energy, and crowd engagement. They truly left it all on the dance floor, and it was amazing to watch them perform at such a high level.”

Alexander also praised the dancers for more than just their technical execution. She said the team’s work ethic, spirit, and camaraderie have helped shape the program into what it is today.

“Coaching the Jazzy Cats has been incredibly rewarding and so much fun,” she said. “The girls are not only extremely talented but also dedicated to dance. Many of them participate in studio dance as well, which makes their schedules very demanding, yet they manage to balance it all and excel. Beyond their talent, the girls are supportive of one another, creative, and truly a joy to coach.”

Members of the 2025-26 Louisburg Jazzy Cats are Hannah Basore, Jocie Burk, Harper Cole, Briella Diehl, Julia Dover, Annelise Finch, Alayna Hays, Logan Heffernon, Makenna Holmes, Brielle Myers, Emma Vickrey, Addy Wiese and Maggie York.

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week one of the winter sports season, sponsored by Dr. Laura’s Orthodontics.

HERSCHEL STRUMBERGER, SOPHOMORE, BASKETBALL

The Louisburg boys basketball team opened the season with a pair of wins and sophomore forward Herschel Strumberger was a big reason why. During the Wildcats’ season opener on Dec. 2 against Wellsville, Strumberger hit the game-winning shot with 10 seconds left. It capped a big day for him as he finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds in the 59-57 win.

Then last Friday on the road at Tonganoxie, Strumberger put together his second double-double of the season in a win over the Chieftains. He scored a team-high 21 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as the Wildcats were able to hold on for a 63-60 victory.

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.

TONGANOXIE — Louisburg boys basketball put together its best half of the young season Friday night, storming back from a halftime deficit to edge Tonganoxie, 63–60, in a Frontier League road battle.

The Wildcats (2-0) trailed 27–24 at the break but erupted for 39 second-half points, leaning on a trio of double-double performances and some timely shooting to fend off a strong effort from the Chieftains.

Herschel Strumberger continued his dominant start to the season with a massive 21-point, 16-rebound night, controlling the paint on both ends. Lance Callahan gave Louisburg a huge outside spark, knocking down three 3-pointers as part of a 16-point performance, while Owen Marsh added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Louisburg won the third quarter 22–17 to grab momentum, then held on late thanks to free throws and a clutch perimeter bucket.

“It is big,” Louisburg coach Ben Doll said. “League road wins are hard to come by because this league is so good. We haven’t played a great game yet, and we are working toward that. Lost the lead, kept coming back, and to hold on was huge. We made our free throws and hit a few big shots.”

Strumberger’s activity on the glass again proved critical.

“Herschel has a long way to go and that is great,” Doll said. “He is going to keep getting better. He worked a lot in the offseason and it is showing now. He is relentless at going for the ball, cleaning up the boards and giving us a real post presence to work around. He gives us extra possessions and we need that.”

They needed every one of them to survive a standout effort from Tonganoxie star Lachlan McRae. The all-Frontier League guard poured in 24 points and dished six assists, continually pressuring the Louisburg defense.

“Lachlan is hard to stop,” Doll said. “He can shoot and drive, he is a good passer and puts pressure on the defense. Glad to see our guys make the plays we needed down the stretch.”

Callahan delivered one of the biggest, drilling a late 3-pointer to break open a tie game with 1:20 left to help the Wildcats stay in front.

“Lance hit a late 3 there for us that was big,” Doll said. “He also plays a lot in the offseason and it is paying off and showing. Good to see him have success and hit a lot of big shots.”

LOU                         10            14            22            17 – 63

TON                         12            15            17            16 – 60

LOUISBURG (2-0): Herschel Strumberger 7-12 6-8 21; Lance Callahan 6-8 1-2 16; Owen Marsh 5-16 2-4 12; Derek Frederick 1-5 4-4 6; John Guetterman 1-6 2-6 5; Parker Stanfield 1-5 1-2 3. Totals: 21-55 16-26 63. 3-point field goals: 5, (Callahan 3, Strumberger, Guetterman)

STRUMBERGER’S GAME-WINNER LIFTS LOUISBURG IN OPENER

Louisburg opened its season Dec. 2 with a nail-biter, surviving multiple Wellsville rallies before Herschel Strumberger delivered the game-winner in a 59–57 victory at home.

The Wildcats raced ahead by double digits early, only to watch the Eagles claw back before halftime. Louisburg again stretched the lead after the break, then saw Wellsville surge once more in the fourth.

With the game tied in the final seconds, Strumberger sealed it, scoring inside with 10 seconds left to put Louisburg ahead for good.

The senior forward was dominant throughout, finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds as the Wildcats controlled the glass.

“There were a lot of teaching moments,” Doll said of the opener. “It was nerve-racking at times and we had a ton of turnovers. Wellsville wanted to turn it into a track meet, and the key with that is to not get into it — and we did. It hurt us at times. Glad we survived, and that is a team I would not want to see on a regular basis.”

Marsh added 13 points for the Wildcats, while Derek Frederick and Callahan each chipped in nine.

LOU                         17            11            16            15 – 59

WEL                         13            12            16            16 – 57

LOUISBURG: Herschel Strumberger 9-16 0-3 18; Owen Marsh 5-12 3-4 13; Derek Frederick 3-11 2-2 9; Lance Callahan 3-10 2-3 9; John Guetterman 1-5 3-4 5; Parker Stanfield 1-5 1-2 3; Fletcher Viterna 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 23-61 11-18 59. 3-point field goals: 2, (Frederick, Callahan)

The Louisburg girls basketball team opened its season in convincing fashion last Tuesday, using a dominant second quarter to pull away from Wellsville Eagles for a 51–29 win in the Wildcats’ home debut.

The Wildcats trailed 10–9 after the first quarter but erupted for a 15–3 run in the second, fueled by strong interior play from Kinley Scott and McKenna Lohse. Scott finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Lohse added 13 points and eight boards of her own as Louisburg controlled the paint throughout.

Head coach Adrianne Lane said her team’s togetherness set the tone early in the year.

“The girls played great against Wellsville, they played together and did a great job executing,” Lane said. “We ran the floor really well and played great defense. The girls deserved that first win — they played together and battled every possession.”

Louisburg shook off early jitters before taking command as Wellsville got a lot of second chance points to take a one-point lead going into the second quarter.

“We all were a little nervous to start, but once we got started I felt like the girls played with confidence and played together,” Lane said. “Kenna and Kinley both did a great job running the floor and finishing in transition.”

Ella Bockelman and Maddie Yoder each scored seven points, with Yoder knocking down the Wildcats’ lone three-pointer. Morgan Latham added six.

Louisburg outscored Wellsville 27–16 in the second half to secure the season-opening victory.

LOU       9               15            12            15 – 51

WEL       10               3            10            6 – 29

LOUISBURG: Kinley Scott 5-10 4-9 14; McKenna Lohse 6-11 1-1 13; Ella Bockelman 3-4 1-2 7; Maddie Yoder 3-5 0-0 7; Morgan Latham 2-8 2-2 6; McKinley Harmon 1-7 0-0 2; Emersynn Deere 0-2 2-2 2. Totals: 20-50 10-16 51. 3-point field goals: 1, Yoder

Wildcats stumble in league opener at Tonganoxie

Three days after its strong start, Louisburg hit early offensive struggles on the road in its Frontier League opener, falling 47–14 to Tonganoxie on Friday.

Tonganoxie’s defensive pressure — led by standout duo Addy Schooler and Alyssa Schoeneck — forced the Wildcats into difficult shots all night. Schooler posted 14 points and six rebounds, while Schoeneck filled the stat sheet with 13 points, six rebounds and eight steals.

Louisburg managed just six first-half points and was held to two baskets in the second half. Ellia Gibbons led the Wildcats with four points, while McKinley Harmon hit the team’s lone three-pointer.

Lane said Tonganoxie’s speed and physicality dictated the game.

“Tonganoxie is a tough team, they play super fast and they are super physical,” Lane said. “They have several players who played great minutes, I feel like Tongie will be a very tough team to beat in our league this year.”

Louisburg struggled to match the pace but remains focused on growth.

“We had a hard time with the pace of the game — they played super fast and super aggressive,” Lane said. “All we can do is learn and get better after the tough loss, and I know this group of girls is up for the challenge.”

The Wildcats return to action this Tuesday when they host Ottawa in another Frontier League matchup.

LOU                         6               3               2               3 – 14

TON                         15            12            19            1 – 47

LOUISBURG (1-1): Ellia Gibbons 2-7 0-0 4; McKinley Harmon 1-3 0-0 3; Kinley Scott 1-7 1-2 3; McKenna Lohse 1-6 0-0 2; Talen McMurray 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 6-39 1-4 14. 3-point field goals: 1, Harmon

A new era of Louisburg wrestling officially begins this winter, and first-year head coach Shawn Crossley believes both the boys and girls programs have the work ethic and leadership to make it a smooth transition.

Crossley, a longtime Wildcat assistant who takes over for Bobby Bovaird after his 14-year run, inherits a roster that is young but hungry. The boys team enters the year having lost four state qualifiers — including 215-pound state runner-up Ashton Moore — and three 100-match winners from last season. Only one state qualifier returns, but Crossley said the program’s foundation remains solid.

“Practice has been going really well,” Crossley said. “We have a great group of leaders in our room. We set expectations early, and so far we’ve lived up to them. This is a hard-working group of kids.”

Junior Levi Cotter, who qualified for state at 106 pounds a year ago, moves to 113 this season and is expected to anchor a developing boys lineup.

“In regard to Levi, I expect him to have a great year,” Crossley said. “He’s planning to wrestle 113, and I think he’ll be very strong there.”

Louisburg opens with only five seniors — Myke McKitrick, Keegan Rogers, Vance Hahn, Anis Ghannam and Broden Vargo — as competition for varsity spots continues through the early part of the schedule. The Wildcats return 47 athletes overall, including 16 freshmen, 15 sophomores and 16 juniors.

Rogers (126), McKitrick (132), Hahn (190) and junior Spencer Mattison (144) are also team captains on the boys side as all four look to lead the Wildcats this season.

“Clearly, we lost a lot of talent from last year’s team,” Crossley said. “Not only that, we lost all of our team captains and a great group of leaders. But this team is very young and experienced.”

While the boys focus on rebuilding, the girls enter with higher expectations — and more depth than ever before. Louisburg returns two state qualifiers in team captains Brooklyn DeWeese (135) and Leola Eslinger (155). Eslinger begins the year ranked No. 6 in Kansas.

Brianna Caraway (140), Allison Martin (145) and Maliya Collins (125) also return for the Wildcats after nearly earning a state qualification themselves.

“I believe this is our largest girls team ever,” Crossley said. “Leola and Brooklyn are poised to have great years once again. Brianna, Maliya, and Allison were all knocking on the door of a state qualification last year and could break through.”

The Wildcats also have wrestlers sidelined with injuries who will return next season, but Crossley said they have remained involved as team managers.

Crossley added former Louisburg wrestler Shea Cox, a 2015 LHS graduate and the program’s 2024–25 Contributor of the Year, to his coaching staff.

“He has that passion for LHS wrestling like I do, and bleeds purple and white,” Crossley said. “He’s been a great addition and shares my vision.”

Louisburg boys soccer continued its rise in the Frontier League this fall, and the Wildcats’ progress showed in the postseason honors. After a 9-6-1 campaign that pushed them into the Class 4A regional championship match, Louisburg landed nine players on the All-Frontier League teams — the program’s highest total since 2021.

“Our league is always tough, so I’m really proud of how our players were recognized this year,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Getting nine players recognized is the most all-league selections we’ve had since 2021, and it’s a testament to their hard work all season. We had a lot of close games — three 1-0 losses and tight wins over strong teams like Bonner Springs and Eudora — so it’s great to see our players get the recognition they’ve earned.”

Senior captain Owen Marsh headlined the group as a first-team selection and was named the co-Midfielder of the Year after erupting for one of the most productive offensive seasons in the league. Marsh finished with 17 goals, three assists, 43 shots on goal, five game-winners and three hat tricks.

“Owen is a relentless competitor and emotional leader,” Bovaird said. “He set the tone for our entire program with his intensity, drive, and standard of excellence. He’s a dynamic scorer with a natural instinct to attack goals, unpredictable in his movements and fearless in big moments. As a captain, he led by example and left a lasting mark on our program.”

Louisburg’s second-team selections included junior winger Brody Bovaird and senior center back Ryan Barberich, two players who shaped the Wildcats’ identity on opposite ends of the field.

Bovaird supplied creativity and pace on the right side, totaling three goals, five assists and 10 shots on goal while leading the team in assists and producing nearly 50 crosses.

“Brody uses his fast pace, precision on the ball, and field vision to create scoring opportunities for teammates,” coach Bovaird said. “His composure on the ball and ability to deliver dangerous crosses made him one of our most consistent offensive weapons this season. He is the team leader in assists, but also contributed to many other scoring attacks.”

Barberich led a defensive unit that produced seven shutouts and allowed only 10 goals in league play, using his leadership and poise to stabilize the back line.

“Ryan anchored our back line with poise and leadership, organizing our defense and commanding the air on set pieces,” coach Bovaird said. “His combination of physical strength, communication, and soccer intelligence made him the steadying presence behind seven shutouts and one of the best defensive units in the league.”

Six Wildcats earned honorable mention, beginning with sophomore midfielder Ryder Erickson, who delivered four goals, four assists, 13 shots on goal and two game-winning goals.

“In many ways, Ryder was the heartbeat of our midfield, and he could dictate the tempo of play and connect all phases of our attack,” coach Bovaird said. “His technical touch, spatial awareness, and field vision made him a consistent playmaker and key transition player in our system. He’s a young player with instincts and maturity beyond his years.”

His older brother, senior midfielder Renner Erickson, added experience and composure to the middle of the field, finishing with three assists and seven shots on goal. His season ended in the regional semifinals with a leg injury.

“A vocal leader and steady presence in the middle, Renner brought composure, experience, and a deep understanding of the game,” Bovaird said. “His communication and support for teammates were vital to our team chemistry and success in controlling possession.”

Senior winger Caleb Feldkamp brought explosive speed to the attack and totaled four goals, one assist and nine shots on goal.

“Caleb is an explosive winger whose speed changes games, and he may be one of the fastest forwards I’ve seen,” Bovaird said. “He stretched defenses and constantly pressured the back line. This season, he elevated his play with a new edge and leadership presence, setting the tone for our wide attack. A quiet but respected leader who let his play speak for itself.”

At striker, senior Tanner LaBrie added power and production with five goals, two assists and 29 shots on goal, delivering one game-winner while consistently generating chances.

“Tanner brought energy and finishing ability every time he stepped on the field,” Bovaird said. “Whether starting or coming off the bench, he consistently made an impact with his runs, movement, and ability to create danger around goal.”

Sophomore center back Conner Marsh emerged as a key defensive piece alongside Barberich, contributing three blocked shots while helping the Wildcats secure seven shutouts.

“Conner emerged as a key defensive force this season, combining patience and discipline with impressive physicality and awareness,” Bovaird said. “He worked seamlessly with our goalkeeper and fellow center back to anchor the defense and consistently shut down top opposing attackers.

The Wildcats’ final honoree was senior goalkeeper Evan Moreland, who turned in a strong season with 50 saves, seven shutouts, nine victories, one goal and one assist.

“Evan was the emotional core of our team,” Bovaird said. “He led with passion and intelligence both on and off the field. His leadership, composure, and decision-making in goal anchored our defense, and his versatility and athleticism allowed him to contribute in the field when needed. A true captain and tone-setter for our program

With a large senior class and several sophomores already playing at an all-league level, Bovaird believes this year’s group helped strengthen the foundation for future success.

“These guys earned everything they got,” he said. “It speaks to their growth, their work ethic, and where our program is headed.”

Honors didn’t stop there as several Wildcats were also named to the all-state team by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Marsh earned first team honors, while Feldkamp, Bovaird, Barberich, Ryder Erickson and Conner Marsh were all honorable mention selections.

2025 All-Frontier League Soccer Team

FIRST TEAM – FIELD PLAYERS

Cooper Carr, Baldwin

Leo Schoenberger, Baldwin

Owen Marsh, Louisburg

Lachlan McRae, Tonganoxie

Oscar Ceballos, Bonner Springs

Beckham Erpelding, Eudora

Jameson Breitzmann, Tonganoxie

Jordan Jaworski, Ottawa

Ethan Smasal, Baldwin

Carter Wilson, Spring Hill

Aidan Odell, Spring Hill

FIRST TEAM – GOALKEEPER

Jose Vazques-Torres, Bonner Springs

SECOND TEAM – FIELD PLAYERS

Jack Hawkins, Eudora

Rylan Howard, Bonner Springs

Drew Bragg, Bonner Springs

Caden Dunback, Eudora

Brody Bovaird, Louisburg

Camden Cox, Baldwin

Jeg Randol, Ottawa

Ryan Barberich, Louisburg

Keldyn Cox, Baldwin

Ryder Erickson, Louisburg

SECOND TEAM – GOALKEEPER

Ivan Franco, Tonganoxie

HONORABLE MENTION – FIELD PLAYERS

Cruz Guzman, Paola

Cody Lobb, Tonganoxie

Caleb Feldkamp, Louisburg

Harrison York, Spring Hill

Nick Odor, Bonner Springs

Trenton Ridinger, Eudora

Ayden McArthur, Paola

Chase Powell, Ottawa

Troy Leonard, Paola

Alan Calderon, Bonner Springs

Owen Bryant, Paola

Antonio Vaca, Bonner Springs

Bryan Flores, Bonner Springs

Tanner LaBrie, Louisburg

Grant Hurla, Eudora

Jose Rivera, Eudora

Ethan Musick, Eudora

Jude Whalen, Eudora

Conner Marsh, Louisburg

Renner Erickson, Louisburg

HONORABLE MENTION – GOALKEEPERS

Evan Moreland, Louisburg

Cason Dick, Baldwin

Kaden Applegate, Spring Hill

Cort Wilson, Ottawa

After a difficult season a year ago, the Louisburg boys basketball team opens tonight with a renewed sense of confidence — and a roster eager to seize larger roles.

The Wildcats finished 3-17 last winter and graduated six seniors who logged heavy minutes, leaving plenty of opportunity for new contributors. But head coach Ben Doll says the growth he saw over the summer has the group feeling energized.

“The guys have been working really hard in practice and they are excited for the season for sure,” Doll said. “We won’t be young in age, necessarily, but we will be young experience-wise. We return a few guys from last year, but we will also be relying on a lot of other guys to play bigger roles who really didn’t see much varsity time last year. Everyone will have bigger roles to play and I am excited to see what they do with this opportunity.”

Louisburg returns three seniors — guards Derek Frederick and Owen Marsh, along with forward Parker Stanfield. Frederick and Marsh started at different points last season and are the team’s top returning scorers after each averaged around four points per game.

Doll is counting on both guards to take steps forward offensively.

“Derek had a little bit of down year shooting for him, but I really expect him to bounce back and he has a really good shot,” Doll said. “Owen can also shoot from the outside, especially in the mid-range, and is a good ball handler for us as well.”

Sophomore forward Herschel Strumberger, who played significant varsity minutes as a freshman, returns as a key presence inside alongside Stanfield.

“Parker is a kid who started out on junior varsity, but got a varsity opportunity during the season and got more minutes as the season went along,” Doll said. “Herschel was thrown in there as a freshman, but was a good post player for us last year and has gotten better as well. Those two guys along with some others like Eli Roth and Jack Flaming will play those post spots for us this year.”

On the perimeter, junior Lance Callahan returns after averaging just under four points per game and stands as the Wildcats’ top outside threat. Doll said Callahan could be poised for a bigger breakout.

“Lance is a shooter who works so much on his shot and I think he can take another step forward as well,” he said.

Sophomore guard John Guetterman is expected to log major minutes as well, part of a backcourt group that Doll believes will be the catalyst for Louisburg’s style of play.

“We have a lot of guards that are quick and can shoot the ball,” Doll said. “We don’t necessarily have a true point guard, but we have a lot of guys who can bring the ball up the floor and just push it, which is what we want to do. We want to go fast and play up tempo.”

While the Wildcats struggled last season, Doll believes momentum began shifting this summer.

“We really needed to get some positive experiences after a tough year last year and I thought we did a lot of great things over the summer,” he said. “We won the KAMO tournament and had a winning record in the Baldwin tournament we played in, and we played without Herschel who was injured. Those were great experiences for our guys and it is something we can build on going into the season.”

The challenge now is translating that progress into wins in what may be one of the deepest Frontier League fields in years. Ottawa returns from a state third-place finish with just one loss on the year. Baldwin enters ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, and Bonner Springs reached the Class 5A state tournament last season. Nearly every league opponent brings back veteran talent.

“Our league is very tough this year and there are no easy games,” Doll said. “You can just look at the all-league list from last season and there was maybe one or two seniors on the first and second teams. All of the teams in the league have experienced players coming back and it will be tough. We are an improved team that works hard and gets after it. We know it will be a tough schedule, but I know the guys are looking forward to the challenge.”

Louisburg opens its season tonight at home against Wellsville. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

After graduating seven seniors and navigating a difficult Frontier League, the Louisburg girls basketball team enters the 2025-26 season knowing it will have a different look to it.

The Wildcats finished 5-16 a year ago and return just two varsity players in senior forwards Morgan Latham and McKenna Lohse, both of whom were steady contributors in the post. Latham averaged close to six points and five rebounds per game, while Lohse added five points and four boards.

Louisburg head coach Adrianne Lane said the group has embraced the challenge of starting fresh.

“Practice has been great so far. This group is working very hard and they are very coachable,” Lane said. “Since we do not have a lot of returning varsity players, the girls have been very willing to learn new things and very willing to put these new things into action.”

Experience will be one of the Wildcats’ biggest hurdles.

“The biggest challenge will be lack of experience on the varsity level,” Lane said. “But I do feel that this group is willing to put in the effort and hard work to be ready for the varsity level.”

Even so, Louisburg believes it can lean heavily on its post players. Junior Kinley Scott, who saw varsity action last season, joins Latham and Lohse to give the Wildcats one of their most reliable areas.

“Having Kenna and Morgan back this year is huge for our program. They are doing a great job working with the younger girls and helping them learn the new plays,” Lane said. “Getting Kenna and Morgan touches in the lane will be very important. Most of our offenses revolve around the bigs, and I think Kenna and Morgan and the other bigs are ready.”

Lane also expects Scott to make a significant leap.

“Kinley has been playing very well in practice and I am excited to see how she does in the games,” Lane said. “She is a huge threat with the basketball and I think we will see a lot of offense out of her this year.”

But if the Wildcats are strong inside, the guard spots will feature fresh faces. Juniors Maddie Yoder and Ellia Gibbons, who received limited varsity time last season, are set to anchor the backcourt. Yoder will run the offense at point guard.

“Maddie Yoder will play a big part this year. She will be the point guard and she does a great job taking care of the basketball,” Lane said. “She is very fun to watch and makes some great passes.

“Ellia is another returner, she works very hard and plays hard. She will bring some excitement to the floor as well as hustle.”

Juniors Ella Bockelman and McKinley Harmon will also see extended minutes on the wings as Louisburg builds a new rotation.

The Wildcats open their season tonight at home against Wellsville, tipping off at 6 p.m., and Lane believes the foundation is in place for steady growth.

“This group is willing to put in the effort and hard work,” she said. “I’m excited to see how far they can go.”