Platte County kept extending its chance to advance to the championship side of the Bulldog Classic last week in Kearney, Mo. In a first-round matchup, the Pirates twice converted late possessions to force overtime and then a second extra session against Kansas City Northeast on Tuesday, Jan. 12 in Kearney, Mo. The Vikings ended up prevailing 61-58, sending Platte County to the consolation side of the bracket.

Platte County’s losing streak ended up hitting 10 before winning the seventh-place game against Harrisonville.

Grant Carver, a junior forward, scored a team-high 19 points, against Northeast in the first round, helping the Pirates to an early 14-6 lead. However, the score was tied at 25 at halftime, and the Vikings were up 43-41 with 25 seconds to go in regulation.

Out of a timeout, Platte County sophomore guard Kobe Cummings got to the rim for a layup with seconds to go, forcing overtime.

Northeast went ahead 51-48 late in the first overtime before sending senior guard Kodee Martin to the line for two free throws. He made the first and intentionally missed the second with Carver grabbing the rebound and scoring a putback to force the second overtime.

Platte County ended up outscored 10-7 in the final quarter, unable to stop its eight-game losing streak. Nick Kunels added 11 points in the loss for the Pirates.

East Christian 47, Platte County 35

The Pirates scored just three points in the fourth quarter of their 10th straight loss Thursday, Jan. 14 in Kearney, Mo.

Carver led Platte County with seven points, and Isaiah Ewing added six points on two of the Pirates’ six 3-pointers. They hit just 14 field goals total with Martin, Cummings, JD Crawford and Tanner Newberry adding a 3 apiece.

Platte County 57, Harrisonville 37

The Pirates won for the first time since early December, pulling away in the second half of the Bulldog Classic’s seventh-place game Friday, Jan. 15 in Kearney, Mo.

Carver finished with team-highs of 15 points and eight rebounds, while Martin added eight points and three assists. Martin and Newberry scored eight points apiece and combined to hit three 3-pointers, and Platte County turned a slim halftime lead into a 39-26 lead entering the fourth quarter, outscoring Harrisonville 15-4 in the third quarter.

Cummings finished with six points and three assists in Platte County’s first win since the consolation semifinals of the Savannah Invitational. The Pirates were scheduled to open play against the hosts in the Bobcat Invitational on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Basehor-Linwood High School in Basehor, Kan.

Olathe North 54, Park Hill South 42

The Panthers yielded a 19-4 run during the second half on the way a loss in the Best of the Midwest Showcase held Saturday, Jan. 16 at Johnson County Community College in Overland, Park, Kan.

Olathe North led 26-24 when the run started with a pair of 3s, bringing the largest lead to 15 points. Ryan Welty tallied a game-high 15 points for Park Hill South.

Blue Springs 74, Park Hill 59

The Trojans trailed by double digits for most of the second half, including the entire fourth quarter, Friday, Jan. 15 in Blue Springs, Mo.

Dru Smith, a junior guard, scored 15 points for Park Hill, which lost its second straight heading into the Bobcat Invitational at Basehor-Linwood High School in Basehor, Kan. Peyton LaFerla and Tanner Zeil added 11 apiece.

Park Hill was scheduled to open with Ottawa in the Bobcat Invitational on Wednesday, Jan 20. The winner would advance to Thursday’s semifinal.

Lee’s Summit West 65, Park Hill South 46

The Panthers were outscored in all four quarters and saw a 33-24 halftime deficit swell in the fourth quarter Friday, Jan. 15 in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Welty tallied 14 points, while Lamel Robinson added 12 for Park Hill South, which hit just 18 field goals total, one 3-pointer.

Park Hill South 69, Lee’s Summit North 57

Welty led an offensive explosion on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, Mo. The versatile senior scored 31 points to lead the Panthers offense. Robinson chipped in 17 points for Park Hill South, and junior guard Jacob Kline added eight.

Lee’s Summit West 60, Park Hill 59

The Trojans’ fourth-quarter rally came up one point short on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Mo. Trailing 43-34 heading to the final frame, Park Hill’s 25-point outburst was not enough to pick up the win.

Park Hill senior guard Brandon Townsell scored a team-high 18 points. Smith (14) and junior forward Chester Graves (10) also reached double figures.

Park Hill shot just 12-of-18 from the free-throw line. Lee’s Summit West led 25-23 at halftime after trailing 11-6 after the opening frame.