KANSAS CITY – Coming off back-to-back losses by a total margin of eight points, the Platte County boys’ basketball team (5-3) ended the calendar year with a one-possession win in the 12 Courts of Christmas at Hy-Vee Arena on Dec. 20.
Having the chance to take on a school from Iowa, Platte County held off Creston (1-5) for a 58-56 victory to enter the New Year with three less wins than the 2022-23 season total. The Pirates took control early with a 22-10 margin in the opening frame, but the Panthers fought back and eventually took a lead in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 46-43, Platte County senior Isaac Dittrick put the ball in the hoop followed by Judah Vignery who scored eight straight for the Missouri team. A layup by Jaden Peterson made the score 57-52 but Creston responded with a two-point bucket with right under a minute to play.
The Panthers had a chance at the end with the ball down by two points, but the Pirates prevailed. Vignery once again was a scoring machine, tallying 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from behind the arc.
Seven of the eight Pirates who saw the floor scored at least one basket with Anthony Morrison and Peterson both ending with nine points. Connor Currence snatched six boards and dished out five assists and Hayden Schultz forced three steals.
Ahead of the 12 Courts of Christmas, Platte County’s first of two losses was to a rival. Kearney (4-3) came away with a 68-63 overtime win on Dec. 15.
For the only time this season, Vignery scored in single figures and didn’t make a three. He finished the night with eight points but enters the New Year averaging 24.88 points per game and has shot 27-58 from downtown for a 46.6 percent rate.
In that loss, Platte County had four players score in double figures led by Currence with 14 points and five steals. Dittrick had 12 points and four assists, Peterson had 11 points and three rebounds and Morrison had 10 points and three steals.
The Pirates then took on the Warriors of Smithville (4-3) on the road, losing 44-41 on Dec. 18 and move to 0-2 away. Vignery ended with 19 points and seven rebounds and Peterson had 13 points and five rebounds.
Platte County will have a bit of a break between its last game and its next game. The Pirates will be back at in on Jan. 3 when they head to Raytown (4-4).