It was a defensive battle in the second matchup between the Kansas City Suburban Conference Blue Division rivals when the Platte County girls’ basketball team (5-10) and Kearney (7-10) stepped onto the court on Jan. 27.
Platte County sophomore Lydia Doole, above, knocked down a 3-pointer in the first quarter in the Pirates 29-17 road victory against Kearney on Jan. 17
The Pirate defense held the Bulldogs to 12.2 percent shooting on the night when Kearney only made six made of its 49 field goal attempts, including two of 16 from behind the arc. Platte County gained redemption from the 37-33 overtime loss on Dec. 16 as the Pirates came out on top in the second conference matchup, 29-17.
In a sluggish opening frame, Kiersten Robbins and Lydia Doole both converted on a shot from behind the arc and Platte County went up 6-2. Kearney had its highest scoring period in the second quarter, as Amaira Peterson scored five points in the frame - including a late 3-pointer - and the Pirates regained a 14-12 lead at the break.
Kearney went nearly 12:30 minutes without scoring – including no points in the third quarter – until the Bulldogs made a free throw with 5:09 left in the contest and scored a bucket on the ensuing possession, narrowing the deficit 24-15. Morgan Stewart sunk her left corner trey of the frame to push the Pirates’ lead back to double digits to all but end the game.
The Lady Pirates will look to continue the strong conference play when they take on Raytown South (14-4) on Feb. 7. The Cardinals defeated Platte County in the first matchup when the Lady Pirates fell 45-33 on Jan. 6.