Development shows for Platte County in recent run of dominant wins

A difficult slate of games early this season posed challenges to developing an identity with an almost completely retooled roster.

Now in the midst of a more manageable stretch, Platte County continues to identify options on offense to complement established seniors Rylee Carr and Addie Ayers. The Pirates have taken advantage with a 51-18 blowout of Raytown on Tuesday at Pirate Fieldhouse now part of a three-game winning streak.

Carr led Platte County with 14 points, while Ayers added nine, but the scoring ended up spread between nine different players in a dominant showing.

“I definitely think it builds confidence,” Platte County junior forward Macy Doll said. “The more shots we get up and the more we work as a team, the more it builds confidence.”

Raytown (2-12) scored the game’s opening basket but never led again after a ceding a 12-1 run.

Carr’s breakaway layup with just under 6 minutes left put Platte County up for good. Doll scored all eight of her points in the first quarter, including a bucket from the left block in the closing seconds to send the Pirates into the second quarter with a 14-7 advantage.

Doll seems to have solidified a spot in the starting lineup after missing the season-opener with consistent impactful play.

“I feel like kind of my mindset has kind of helped me to really push myself,” said Doll, who has now scored five or more points in five of the past six games. “I take (my) minutes, even if it’s a little bit, I just go all out. Even if I’m in for like 2 minutes, you just gotta go all out.”

Platte County committed 15 turnovers with the inconsistent play on offense leading to some of the initial struggles.

Raytown, which dressed only five players, scored just three points in the second quarter and were buried by halftime. Ayers, a third-year contributor in her first season as a full-time starter, hit a pair of 3-pointers before the break to help slowly extend out the lead, while Carr hit double-digits at points by halftime.

Platte County opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run, and sophomore guard Millie Parker scored seven of her nine in the frame.

“We definitely don’t want to play to how they’re playing,” Doll said. “Even if they’re a really good team, we still want to play our game, and we don’t really want to let up to what they’re doing, so just fix the mistakes at the quarter and half.”

Platte County started Carr, Ayers, Doll, Parker and sophomore forward Madeline Arthurs (four points, team-high 11 rebounds) in what appears to be the preferred five moving forward. However, the Pirates also received scoring from senior forward Emily Huehl (two points), sophomores Delanie Hoefling (two points) and Brooklyn Harris (one point) and freshman Emma Schank (two points) in one of the most balanced performances of the season.

Platte County 58, William Chrisman 38

The Pirates earned the third consecutive victory in the active streak Thursday in Independence, running their overall record to 5-8.

Carr matched a season-high previously set against Ruskin with 20 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds to lead Platte County to a third straight conference win. The Pirates are now 4-1 in White Division play.

Platte County hit five 3-pointers in this victory with freshman Clare Stephens hitting three to finish with a career-high nine points. Ayers matched that total, while Doll (six), Parker (five), Huehl (four), Schank (three) and Arthurs (two) followed on the stat sheet.

Despite the difficult start to the season, Platte County continues to build the profile for a potential high seed in the Class 5 District 8 tournament while preparing for this week’s nonconference test at Smithivlle (10-6) on Monday and vs. Park Hill (6-8) on Thursday.

“I feel like these wins are helping us gain more confidence and know we can do it. We’re capable of winning, and we just need to keep working hard mentally and physically,” Doll said.