No. 2 seed Platte County is still dancing inside Pirate Fieldhouse after taking care of business in the Class 5 District 8 girls basketball tournament against Van Horn on March 6 and a tough Smithville team on March 8.
In the opening matchup of postseason play, Platte County slowly separated themselves from Van Horn. They led 16-13 after the first quarter and grew a double-digit lead at halftime.
It was all Platte County in the second half of the district quarterfinal as they allowed just 7 points and poured on 26. Forward Lauren Stone desperately kept her high school career alive, scoring 22 and hitting three triples while Addison Schlake’s double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds gave the Pirates some second-chance opportunities.
Lauren Stone in the district semifinal against Smithville on March 8.
Saturday’s semifinal triumph against Smithville was all about Platte County’s pressure. They pressed relentlessly from the first tip, hardly giving Smithville any space to breathe.
As a result, the game got off to a sloppy start with both teams turning the ball over and missing some early looks. Senior forward Addy Schlake made her presence felt in the paint as she helped the Pirates to a 6-5 with 4 points in the opening quarter.
Platte County really took control in the second quarter when they were able to turn turnovers into points. With just over two minutes left in the half, the Pirates went up double-digits when Stone forced a turnover at midcourt and connected with Schlake for the layup. Stone also hit a pair of triples to put Platte County up 23-10 at halftime.
The Pirates continued their dominance into the third quarter as they went on a 13-4 run after Rylee Carr knocked down a 3-pointer late in the third. Smithville didn’t go down without a fight as Platte County’s offense went silent as Smithville went on a 14-0 run in the final frame to trim a 22-point lead to single-digits.
After an interception from Schlake near midcourt, the senior found Haley Barlow streaking down the court for the layup to end Smithville’s run and put the Pirates back up by double-digits. While not how the team would have protected its large lead earlier, the Pirates eventually closed out the 46-35 victory.
Haley Barlow in the district quarterfinal against Van Horn on March 6.
The Pirates advance to the district championship, hosting top-seeded St. Teresa’s Academy on Tuesday, March 11. The Pirates enter the matchup with a 17-8 record and a battle-tested St. Teresa’s Academy 17-8 team.