Linsday Ramsey scored 36 total points in the KCI Conference Tournament, helping North Platte finish in third place.
HAMILTON – Looking to repeat a third-place finish in the KCI Conference Girls’ Basketball Tournament, North Platte (5-1) did just that with a comfortable 45-34 win over East Buchanan (3-3) at Penney High School on Dec. 8.
This was the second straight year that North Platte won its first four games of the year and played in the third-place game of the conference tournament. Being the No. 2 seed, the Lady Panthers had a favorable first-round matchup against Plattsburg (3-3) on Dec. 4.
North Platte won 58-39, which was the fifth victory in the last six meetings against Plattsburg and its fifth straight in the KCI Conference Tournament dating back to 2013. It was the Lady Panthers best shooting night of the year – converting on 8-of-12 from deep and 14-of-17 from the charity stipe.
In the second round, North Platte fell behind by double digits early to sixth-seeded Mid-Buchanan (4-3) on Dec. 7. The Lady Panthers fought back but ultimately lost 40-29 as they’ve split the last four meetings with the Lady Dragons since last season.
Lindsay Ramsey and Kenedie Summers both forced three steals as Ramsey led the way offensively with 14 points. Camryn Kersten ended with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Awaiting North Platte in the third-place game was the No. 4 seed, East Buchanan, who entered the night with five wins in the last six matchups in the series since 2020. The Lady Panthers fell behind 6-1 early and didn’t make a shot from the field until 4:45 into the game when Brianna DeBord banked in a pull-up jumper.
Summers added two transition buckets to close out the first quarter and North Platte trailed 11-8 after one period. To start the second quarter, Allyson Smith banked in a 3-pointer to tie the game at 11.
DeBord scored back-to-back baskets – giving North Platte the lead both times – and Kersten sunk two free throws to add to the scoreboard. Summers scored a layup with 35 seconds left and Kate Wolf beat the buzzer on an inbound play to give the Lady Panthers a 22-17 margin at halftime.
East Buchanan scored the first four points of the second half, but North Platte went on a massive 12-0 run until the final seconds of the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer for their first points in more than five minutes and trailed 34-24.
North Platte held onto its lead and pulled out a third-place finish in the competitive KCI Conference Tournament. The Lady Panthers have beaten the Lady Bulldogs each of the last three matchups in the series, also doing so in 2021 and 2018.
DeBord led the way with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Summers had nine points and six rebounds. Smith and Kersten finished with seven points and Ramsey while six points and grabbed 10 boards.
North Platte is playing well early on and has started 5-1 for the second straight season. Since the tournament doesn’t count towards conference standings, North Platte will open KCI Conference play at West Platte (0-3) on Dec. 15.