Freshman Peyton Akins scored only six points but they were the biggest ones of the contest on Friday, Jan. 3 against Raytown South.
The Platte County varsity newcomer got two layups and then hit two free throws in the final 1 minute, 10 seconds to help the Pirates rally for a 59-54 victory in a Suburban Conference Blue Division game at Platte County High School.
“Peyton came in and gave us a spark,” Platte County coach Rebecca Strobbe said.
The underclassmen carried the Pirates (3-5) to the victory as freshman Reese Pickett had a career-high 19 points in her first start, while sophomore Amaya Blake scored 17.
Raytown South led 15-14 after the opening quarter but surged ahead 35-25 at halftime. The lead grew to as many as 13 following a basket by Rylee Hamby.
The Pirates started to rally in the third quarter thanks to an 8-2 run and then got within a basket after two free throws by Blake with 2:40 left. A free throw by Kylene Loy made it 39-37, but baskets by left-handed shooting Brooke Garth helped the Cardinals expand the lead to 45-37.
Skyla Burney’s basket in the final seconds helped Platte County pull within 45-39 going into the fourth.
Loy scored the first basket in the fourth for Platte County then back-to-back shots by Pickett gave the Pirates the lead, 48-47, with 5:58 to play.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
Platte County’s Addison Long shoots a jumper in front of Raytown defenders Briauna Stewart (left) and Ar’Keisha Hines during a game on Friday, Jan. 3 at Platte County High School. Platte County won the game 59-54.
The Cardinals (1-7) tied the game and then went up by one when Abri Richardson drained a 3 with 4 minutes to play. Blake’s final basket gave Platte County the lead, 52-51, with 3:18 to play.
The Cardinals then surged by hitting three of four free throws with 2:36 remaining.
Platte County got within a point, 54-53, after Long’s basket 30 seconds later, which was followed by Akins’ close.
Strobbe pieced together the playing rotation after four players had three fouls each in the first half and add that on to a playing rotation of only seven players, the first-year coach had some work to do.
“We are dealing with a shortened bench,” said Strobbe, whose team played without Kiersten Robbins due to an injury.
Of the 21 players in the program, 10 are freshmen, meaning a lot of playing time is needed on sub-varsity games, which has caused issue on the numbers at the varsity level.
“Most of my girls were playing eighth-grade basketball last year and I don’t think they even had a winning record so it is tough (moving to varsity),” Strobbe said. “I’m proud of how everyone came through. It was a team effort.”
The Pirates are 1-0 in league play heading into a tough road game against Class 4 No. 6-ranked Kearney on Thursday, Jan. 9. Then, Platte County returns to Kearney for the Bulldogs Invitational starting on Monday, Jan. 13.
Park Hill South 41, Lee’s Summit 25
The Panthers moved to 4-5 on the season with a victory at home on Monday, Jan. 6 in Riverside.
Park Hill South did most of the damage in the opening half, taking a 12-9 lead after eight minutes but expanding it to 32-18 at halftime.
Bali Cortes scored nine points in the second quarter for Park Hill South, which hit three 3s in the frame.
Lee’s Summit was then limited to only seven points and one field goal in the second half.
Cortes had 13 points for Park Hill South, which swept the season series with the Tigers.
Up Next
Park Hill: The Trojans will play host to Park Hill South on Wednesday, Jan. 8, before staying home to play Blue Springs South on Thursday, Jan. 9 in Suburban Conference Gold Division game.
Park Hill South: After the rivalry game with Park Hill, the Panthers will play at home against Liberty on Friday, Dec. 10.