The John Kruse era started with a victory on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The new West Platte coach saw the Bluejays pick up a 43-42 victory against Orrick in Weston. They matched last year’s win total after going 1-20 last winter.
Mikaela Truxal had six of her eight points in the fourth quarter, which helped fend off a rally by Orrick. Mara Inks had 12 of her 17 points in the final frame for the Bearcats.
West Platte received nine points from Gretchen Raney and Katy Tharp to lead the offense.
Cass-Midway girls 55, West Platte 35
The Vikings held the Bluejays without a point in the first quarter and took an 18-0 advantage that paved the way for a win on Friday, Dec. 6 in Weston.
Cass-Midway led 24-10 at halftime and were only outscored in one quarter, a 16-14 advantage in the fourth. Gretchen Raney and Katy Tharp each had 11 points for West Platte.
Jessie Humbird had 16 and Morgan Driggs chipped in with 15 for
Midway. North Andrew girls 51, West Platte 35
Down by two at halftime, the Bluejays were held to only one basket in the third quarter and never recovered in a loss on Thursday, Dec. 5 in Rosendale.
North Andrew tallied 16 points in the third to pull away for good, getting six points from Alaina Officer, who had a game-high 15 points in the victory.
The Cardinals had four players with at least eight points or more, but only Officer finished in double figures. Katy Tharp had 12 for West Platte, eight of them coming in the fourth quarter. She and Gracie Raney each had two 3-pointers for West Platte.
North Platte girls 49, KC Lutheran 35
Stats were unavailable by press time from this game on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
North Platte girls 47, Kauffman 42
The Panthers rallied from a halftime deficit to pick up a win on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
North Platte opened on a 7-0 run but then foul trouble had two starters with three each and two other players had two apiece.
North Platte gave up only four points in the third quarter and surged ahead 32-27.
That offensive outburst was the difference in the outcome as each team scored 15 points in the final quarter. North Platte had 26 turnovers and made only 16 of 55 attempts in the victory. McKenzie Brockhoff finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. She had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the second half.
As a whole, North Platte had 53 rebounds, a highest total under the guidance of coach Ryan Davis. Josie Roach also had a double-double for North Platte with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Madison DeBord had 10 rebounds and seven points, while Ryann Smith and Jordyn Smith each added eight rebounds.