North Platte survived a bad first quarter to stay unbeaten in KCI Conference play Friday, Feb. 13 in Plattsburg, Mo.
After allowing 18 points in the first 8 minutes, the Panthers gave up just 11 combined in the next two quarters on the way to a 58-42 win against Plattsburg. North Platte, ranked No. 7 in the most recent Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 poll, improved to 19-5 overall and 6-0 in KCI play, pending the result of a Tuesday, Feb. 16 matchup with Mid-Buchanan — winners of the league tournament back in December.
North Platte won that matchup, too, to get to 20 wins and win the conference title again.
Against Plattsburg, Erin Manville and Emmie Lee scored 13 points apice, combining for three of North Platte’s four 3-pointers. Maddie Lee hit the other and finished with seven points. The Panthers also shot just 10 of 21 on free throws and trailed 18-13 after the first quarter.
Scoring balance proved to be enough with Kaycee Hodgson adding 10 points, and Brittney Gerling matching Maddie Lee with seven.
North Platte had won seven straight entering the matchup with Mid-Buchanan, earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 2 District 16 tournament. The Panthers open Monday, Feb. 22 against Albany at Maysville High School.
North Platte 56, Lawson 29
The Panthers allowed just 10 points in the first half on the way to a blowout victory Tuesday, Feb. 9 at North Platte High School.
Gerling finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for North Platte, and Manville and Gracie Roach combined to score 23 in the second half. The Panthers led 23-10 at the break and pulled away with its top scoring duo accounting all but 10 points in the second half.
Manville led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Roach added 11 points and four steals.
Lawson 43, West Platte 35
The Bluejays lost their fifth straight in KCI play, unable to sustain offense Thursday, Feb. 11 in Lawson, Mo.
Karen Knox scored 10 and hit two of West Platte’s 3-pointers, but the Bluejays’ point production dwindled in the final three quarters. Tied at 12 after the first quarter, West Platte went into halftime down 25-21 and then scored just 14 points in the second half.
West Platte’s final chance at a second KCI win to surpass last year’s total of one came Tuesday, Feb. 16 against Hamilton. The Bluejays entered at 7-14 overall and 1-5 in league play.
The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.
West Platte will have the No. 4 seed in the Class 2 District 15 tournament, opening Monday, Feb. 22 against Orrick. The winner plays Wednesday, Feb. 24 against top seed and host Santa Fe.
Mid-Buchanan 59, West Platte 52
The Bluejays couldn’t score a second straight upset of the KCI Conference Tournament champions despite 26 points for Nealie Neimeier on Tuesday, Feb. 9 in Faucett, Mo.
Mid-Buchanan’s Jillian Rumpf led all scorers with 34 points, including three of the Dragons’ six 3-pointers. West Platte trailed just 27-25 at halftime and stayed close throughout the league matchup. The Bluejays won the previous meeting in a pool matchup at the North Platte Invitational last month, their biggest win of the season.
Rachel Heili added 10 points and Knox eight in the loss for West Platte.