RIVERSIDE, Mo. — The Park Hill South girls basketball team claimed a second straight Suburban Red Conference championship with a 62-53 victory over St. Joseph Central on Thursday, Feb. 21.
The Panthers, who finished the regular season at 21-4, used strong middle quarters to dispose of Central and claim an outright conference title after sharing last season.
After trailing 12-9 after the first quarter, Park Hill South gained a 31-26 lead with a 22-point second frame and a 49-40 lead with a 18-point third quarter.
Freshman guard Jaidynn Mason poured in a game-high 24 points and two 3s to lead the Panthers, while senior forward Alecia Westbrook contributed a strong 20 points. Junior guard Bali Cortes added 13 points.
Park Hill South boys 64, St. Joseph Central 51
Lamel Robinson poured in 22 points in his final regular-season home game as Park Hill South handled St. Joseph Central on Thursday, Feb. 21.
With the win, the Panthers clinched at least a share of the Suburban Gold title.
Park Hill South, who led 27-26 at halftime, turned it up a notch in the second half.
Robinson, a senior guard that’s headed to Nebraska-Omaha, scored 15 of his game-high 22 in the second half and Anthony Bell contributed 10 of his 14 in the final two frames.
The Panthers outscored the Indians 16-7 in the third quarter and 21-18 in the fourth.
Desi Williams, a senior point guard, finished his final regular-season home game of his prep career with eight points, six of them coming in the second half.
Benton boys 54, Platte County 53
St. Joseph Benton came from behind to nick Platte County in the regular-season finale for both squads on Thursday, Feb. 21 in St. Joseph.
The Pirates were in control in the first half, leading 34-21 at the half following a 16-8 advantage after the first quarter.
Benton made its move after intermission. The Cardinals trimmed Platte County’s lead to 46-39 by the end of the third quarter before a 15-7 final period sealed the one-point victory.
Ethan Esdohr led the Pirates with 16 points and three treys. Dylan Gilbert added 12 points, while Brady Wright and Justin Barkley added nine and eight points, respectively.
Grain Valley boys 71, Platte County 43
From the start, Grain Valley had the edge against Platte County in the Pirates’ Suburban Blue Conference finale on Monday, Feb. 18 in Grain Valley.
The Eagles rolled to a 23-7 lead by the end of the first quarter to aid Grain Valley to a season sweep of the Pirates. The first-time Suburban Blue members finished with a 7-5 mark.
Platte County, who finished conference action at 4-7, trailed the Eagles 40-24 at halftime before Grain Valley put the game out of reach with a 23-point third period to give the home side a 63-33 advantage headed into the fourth quarter.
Esdohr led the Pirates with 16 points and two deep balls, and Wright chipped in nine points and a 3-pointer.