Park Hill managed its second win against Kearney in a week Tuesday, Jan. 5 despite a stagnant offense at Park Hill High School. Kearney took a lead into the fourth quarter but scored only six points in the final 8 minutes. Tanner Zeil put up 17 points for Park Hill, including one of three 3-pointers, to avoid a loss less than a week after beating the Bulldogs in the semifinals of the Patterson Division at the William Jewell Holiday Classic.
The score remained close throughout with Kearney outscoring the Trojans 27-18 in the second and third quarters.
Park Hill shot just 13 of 23 on free throws, and Zeil was the only player in double-figure scoring. Brandon Townsell added nine for the Trojans, who scored only 21 points in the second half.
Lee’s Summit 79, Park Hill South 56
A slow start to each half doomed the Panthers on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Park Hill South was outscored 18-10 in the first quarter and 24-9 in the third quarter, sending them into the final 8 minutes with a 25-point deficit. Ryan Welty put up 15 points to lead the Panthers, but five double-figure scorers for Lee’s Summit was too much to overcome. The Tigers attempted 31 free throws and made 20.
St. Joseph Central 52, Platte County 36
The Pirates’ losing streak hit eight after falling behind 20-4 after the first quarter Friday, Jan. 8 in St. Joseph, Mo.
Nick Kunels led Platte County (1-9) with 10 points, but the Pirates made just 13 total field goals, including four 3-pointers — one each for Isaiah Ewing, Tanner Newberry, JD Crawford and Kobe Cummings.
Matt Austin and Jaiden Bristol combined for 32 points for Central.