Platte County's girls basketball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday, March 11, in a hard-fought 53-47 loss to No. 3 state-ranked St. Teresa's Academy in the Class 5 District 8 championship at Pirate Fieldhouse.
The stage was set for the district championship once junior Platte County student Sawyer Lane performed the national anthem under the spotlight with his electric guitar.
But once the game tipped off, St. Teresa's quickly stole the spotlight with some big defensive stands before hitting a pair of three-pointers. Despite missing two free throws, the Stars jumped out to an early lead while the Pirates struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
Platte County was held scoreless for nearly half the first quarter before breaking through with consecutive baskets to cut the deficit to 6-5. However, St. Teresa's responded with a 9-0 run before Addy Schlake's second basket of the night made it 15-7 to give the Pirates some hope at the end of the opening period.
The Pirates battled back early in the second quarter, closing within three, but the Stars answered again, stretching their lead to 11 points with under two minutes left in the half. Platte County refused to back down, mounting a late surge that culminated in a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from junior guard Addie Ayers, who banked in a deep shot off the glass to cut the deficit to six at halftime.
Momentum shifted in the third quarter as Platte County continued to fight back. With under 30 seconds left in the period, senior Lauren Stone drilled a three-pointer to bring the Pirates within two.
Platte County's efforts to get even were staunchly turned aside by St. Teresa's. The Stars extended their lead once more before Stone hit another triple late in the fourth quarter, again making it a two-point game.
Despite a strong shooting performance and a narrow rebounding advantage, turnovers proved costly for Platte County. St. Teresa's forced 15 steals, while the Pirates managed just two. The Stars capitalized on those extra possessions and maintained their lead ever since their first bucket of the night in the opening minutes.
The Pirates finished the season with a 17-9 record, falling just short of a district title against a St. Teresa's team that went on to reach the state final four in Columbia.
With the departures of key seniors Stone, Schlake, Haley Barlow, and Haley Schank, Platte County will look for new leadership to step up in those critical roles next season.