Drew Aggus
Special to the Citizen
The Park Hill South Panthers defeated the Indians of Central (St. Joseph) 40-39 in a game played in St. Joseph on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Both teams started relatively slowly, as the Indians held an 8-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. But by halftime, they had stretched that lead to 26-17. Seven different Indians scored in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Panthers began their comeback efforts, outscoring the Indians 11-4 in the quarter to bring the deficit down to just two. Sophomore Gabbie Schultz poured in six of her 10 points in this quarter, outscoring the Indians by herself.
And in the fourth quarter, the Panthers completed their comeback, outscoring the Indians 12-9 in the final frame to hang on for the one-point win.
Panthers senior Bailee Cortes scored a game-high 19 points – nearly half of her team’s total – with seven of them coming in the second quarter and six coming in the fourth. The Panthers actually had just four players score in the win.
Park Hill 61, Blue Springs 46
The Park Hill Trojans took down the visiting Blue Springs Wildcats in a showdown on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The Trojans came out hot, holding a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, but in the second quarter, their offense struggled to get much going, scoring just three points in the quarter. This low-scoring quarter left them with a six-point deficit at the half.
But in the second half, the Trojans really turned things around.
In the third quarter, the Trojans doubled up the Wildcats, outscoring them 18-9 in the quarter to take a 38-35 lead. The fourth quarter brought more of the same, as the Trojans outscored the Wildcats 23-11 to take the 15-point win.
Trojan sophomore Kennedy Townsend led her team to victory with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks — all team highs. Teresa Thomas also scored 19 points in the win.
Kearney 57, Platte County 15
The Platte County Pirates were blown out by the strong Kearney Bulldogs squad in a game played in Platte City on Thursday, Jan. 30.
No stats were provided by press time.
St. Pius X 50, Park Hill 46
The St. Pius X Warriors defeated the Park Hill Trojans in a battle that took place on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Park Hill.
At the end of the first quarter, both teams were tied at 13 apiece. By halftime, the Warriors held a one-point lead.
However, things really shifted in the third quarter. The Warriors outscored the Trojans 17-8 in the quarter to take a 10-point lead.
Cody Thorn/Citizen photo
Platte County’s Payton Akins (4) battles for a rebound in a game against St. Joseph Lafayette on Monday, Jan. 27 in Platte City.
In the fourth, the Trojans attempted to mount a comeback but fell just short, losing the game by just four points.
Liberty North 40, Park Hill South 24
The Eagles of Liberty North ran away from the Park Hill South Panthers in a game played at Liberty North on Friday, Jan. 31.
The first quarter went pretty well for the Panthers, as they held a 9-8 lead at the end of it. By halftime, things were still going smoothly, as the Panthers held an 18-16 lead.
But in the second half, the Panthers could not get anything to fall, scoring just three points in each of the two remaining quarters. Simultaneously, the Eagles scored eight and 16 points, respectively, in the third and fourth quarters, taking a 16-point win.
Eagles senior Jayme Jackson dropped nine of her 11 points in the fourth quarter and all 11 in the second half. Junior Maddie Niemeier scored a game-high 18 points in the win.
For the Panthers, head coach Josh Dorr attributed the loss to some late, costly turnovers and a stark differential in fourth-quarter free-throw attempts – of which the Eagles had nine, while the Panthers had just five.
Panthers sophomore Makailee McGhee led her team in scoring with 12 points, but no other Panther had more than five.
Platte County 60, Lafayette 46
The Pirates picked up another win against St. Joseph Lafayette on Monday, Jan. 27.
No stats were provided by press time.
Up Next
Park Hill South: The Panthers will participate in this week’s North Kansas City Tournament, which began on Monday, Feb. 3. They will also travel to face the Warriors of St. Pius X on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Platte County: The Pirates visited Raytown South on Monday, Feb. 3, but results were not yet available at press time. They will also host the Park Hill Trojans on Thursday, Feb. 6 before heading to Winnetonka to take on the Griffins on Friday, Feb. 7.
Park Hill: The Trojans paid a visit to Raytown on Tuesday, Feb. 4, although results were not yet available at press time. They will also head to Platte County High School to take on the Pirates on Thursday, Feb. 6.