Dating back to 2015, the last seven times that the Park Hill South boys’ basketball team (11-6) and North Kansas City (14-5) has stepped on the same court, there has been a different winner than the prior matchup.
The Red Division rivals have gone back-and-forth throughout the series in the last six seasons with neither team able to win consecutive games against each other, and that didn’t change in the most recent matchup. After the Hornets defeated the Panthers in the North Kansas City Tournament Championship Game on Jan. 21, Park Hill South got revenge on its senior night on Feb. 4.
In a highly anticipated rematch from two weeks prior ended up being a less competitive game than expected. The Panthers’ defense stepped up and forced 26 turnovers – 14 of which were steals – and defeated the Hornets 67-47.
North Kansas City’s offense wasn’t as efficient as it has been in the past, shooting 36 percent from the field and an abysmal 14 percent from downtown. On the other end, Park Hill South converted on 50 percent of its shots from the field and made six 3-pointers.
Cahmai Crosby and Miles Fant both sank a pair of shots from behind the arc and both ended with 20 points and two steals apiece. J.D. Roberts was the only other Panther to score in double digits when the senior had 11 points, four rebounds and a steal.
Messias Dockery was a key factor on the defensive end, forcing five steals and blocking one shot, while also dishing out seven assists and scoring five points. Trey Weith knocked down one 3-pointer to give him seven points, along with two rebounds and one steal.
The Panthers and Hornets have one more guaranteed matchup – and could potentially play each other in the Class 6 District 8 Tournament – when Park Hill South heads to North Kansas City for the regular season finale on Feb. 22. The Panthers have three more opponents until then, starting with Staley (19-2) on Feb. 11.
Park Hill South’s Cahmai Crosby, above, scored 20 points and had two steals in the Panthers 67-47 win over North Kansas City on Feb. 4.