For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Platte County girls’ basketball team (11-5) has surpassed double digit victories as it snapped a 2-game losing skid and has now won two in a row.
Ahead of Platte County’s most recent matchup – which was on the road against William Chrisman (6-11) on Jan. 23 – the Lady Pirates had won three and lost three games since the start of the New Year. Platte County had a tough start to 2023 with a 56-32 loss to Raytown (13-1) on Jan. 3 and bounced back with a pair of wins against Belton (5-11) on Jan. 5 and Excelsior Springs (4-11) on Jan. 9.
The Lady Pirates narrowly snuck past Belton 31-29 behind Lydia Doole’s nine points; and Addy Schlake scored five points and tied her season-high in rebounds at the time with 12. Platte County had 29 steals and 21 assists against Excelsior Springs en route to an 81-14 win behind Joslynn Hupp’s 16 points and seven rebounds.
Platte County lost a heartbreaker to St. Joseph’s Central (10-5) when free throw woes down the stretch led to a 58-57 loss on Jan. 12. That was the first of two consecutive losses for Platte County who went on to lose 67-32 to Grain Valley (12-4) on Jan. 17.
With the third straight game offering a chance to capture its 10th win of the season, Platte County finally did it against Winnetonka with a 57-43 triumph. The Lady Griffons took a 21-19 lead at the break, but the Lady Pirates scored the first nine points of the second half which turned into a 13-2 run.
Reese Pickett scored nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and Platte County led by as much as 16 points in the second half. Hupp had a team-high 17 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals while Schlake had a career night, setting new personal bests in three categories; she had 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.
Platte County didn’t stop at 10 victories as it increased its win total in the already impressive season with a 49-38 triumph over William Chrisman. The Lady Pirates scored 13 of the first 14 points of the game and they led 28-11 at the break.
Haley Barlow had a team-high 11 points when she made five of her seven shot attempts, along with forcing two steals. Schlake and Hupp both added 10 points and Doole had nine points.
The victory over the Lady Bears gave the Lady Pirates a 3-2 record in the White Division of the Kansas City Suburban Conference. Platte County will host Kearney (6-9) – who the Lady Pirates ended a 22-game losing skid to with a 29-17 win back on Dec. 27 – with a chance to push the winning streak to three games on Jan. 26.