Alley Rickel made an impressive debut as a starter in North Platte’s season opener.

The junior guard scored a game-high 22 points on 10-for-17 shooting Tuesday, Nov. 22 in the Panthers’ 66-45 win against Kansas City Lutheran in Kansas City, Mo. Rickel hit two of the team’s four total 3-pointers.

North Platte rode a dominant first quarter to an easy win despite shooting just 14-for-28 on free throws.

With 2 ½ minutes left in the first half, the Panthers were up 37-13, but a late Lutheran run trimmed that to 39-29 at halftime. The Knights were as close as six in the middle of the third before a 6-0 run propelled North Platte to the finish.

Lutheran didn’t score in the final 5 minutes and tallied just four points total in the fourth quarter.

Gracie Roach, a junior, joined Rickel in double-figure scoring for the Panthers with 14 points, including one 3-pointer. McKenna Fulton and Janell Manville added nine apiece.
North Platte led 18-7 after the first quarter and scored at least 12 points in each of the four quarters.

KC Lutheran boys 52, North Platte 47

An almost completely new look lineup for the Panthers made a strong second half push in a loss Tuesday, Nov. 22 in Kansas City, Mo.

North Platte trailed 27-17 at halftime before senior guard Ben French scored 12 of his team-high 14 points in the second half. Lutheran held on for the win despite making only 17 field goals and shooting an abysmal 18 of 48 on free throws.

In all, three players fouled out for North Platte — starters Hunter Oliver and Corbin Green and reserve Jessie Martin, who scored nine points. Green and Halen Knapp scored eight apiece in the loss.

North Platte made 20 field goals and shot 7-for-19 on free throws. Neither team made a 3-pointer.

Bishop LeBlond boys 61, West Platte 34

Noah Johnson scored seven points for the Bluejays’ in a season-opening loss Monday, Nov. 21 in Weston, Mo. LeBlond led 38-10 at halftime.