Platte County sophomore Joslyn Hupp poured in a career-high 20 points Tuesday night at Oak Grove, and the Pirates held on late for a 53-47 victory in a last-minute addition to the schedule.
Now off until next week, Platte County has won two straight after a three-game losing skid, improving back to 9-8 overall. The Pirates are 4-4 in Suburban Conference Blue Division play entering a Monday road trip to Raytown South.
Still youthful with a limited bench, Platte County continues to show signs of increased scoring with Hupp and freshman Lydia Doole making strides. Hupp has scored in double-figures in three of the past four games with the Pirates competitive in each game despite a pair of losses. Doole has scored nine or more in three of the past four.
“They are also our two best defenders,” Platte County coach Becca Strobbe said.
Against Oak Grove, Platte County continued its recent trend of starting fast with 16 points in the first quarter, and the Pirates led 30-21 at halftime and 42-30 after three quarters before fending off Oak Grove’s late charge.
Doole and sophomore guard Reese Pickett added nine points apiece with junior forward Kiersten Robbins limited to just four points. Robbins, Platte County’s leading scorer most of the year, has faced increase focus in recent games, opening up opportunities for the guards to shine.
“We are still trying to figure a way to get it inside to Kiersten because she is a great post player so that has been our focus for the past 2 weeks, and we are hoping we can get her more involved,” Strobbe said. “We have seen great minutes by the rest of the girls.”
Robbins hauled in a team-high seven rebounds in the win over Oak Grove, while Pickett and junior forward Amaira Peterson (five points) dished out four assists apiece.
Platte County 47, Winnetonka 24
Hupp and Doole scored 13 points apiece, and the Pirates pulled away for a conference win Monday in Kansas City to end the three-game losing skid over the previous 10 days.
Winnetonka scored just three points in the second quarter, and Platte County slowly extended its lead throughout the second half, outscoring the Griffins 28-11 after the break. Doole hit three 3-pointers for the Pirates, while sophomore guard Morgan Stewart added two off the bench.
Platte County also went 13 of 16 on free throws to overcome 10-for-41 shooting from the field. Doole was 4-for-4 from the line, and Hupp finished 3-for-4. Robbins and Hupp grabbed seven rebounds a piece, while senior Kylene Loy led the defense with three steals.
The win completed the season sweep for Platte County over Winnetonka in Blue Division play.
Kearney 35, Platte County 27
The Pirates led by two entering the fourth quarter last Thursday at home but managed just two points in the final minute of the loss.
Overall, Platte County went 11-for-40 from the field, attempting 20 3-pointers but making just four. Doole hit a pair of 3s to account for her six points. Six players scored for the Pirates, but no one finished in double figures.
Hupp had nine and a team-high 10 rebounds — five on the offensive end — while Robbins added four to go with six rebounds.
Platte County took its lead with a big third quarter. Hupp scored five of her nine in the frame, while Doole and Peterson each hit a 3. The scoring dried up from there with the Pirates only attempting three free throws, while Kearney went 7-for-12.
Kearney won both regular season meetings between the two teams.
Grandview 48, Platte County 41
The Bulldogs finished a season-sweep last Tuesday with a win in Grandview.
Platte County trailed by nine late in the third quarter, but a 3 from Hupp late in regulation helped keep the game competitive until the final seconds. She was the only player to score in double figures for the Pirates and her bucket with 1:01 left in the second quarter closed an early deficit and clipped Grandview’s halftime lead to 19-18.
Doole hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Platte County led 10-9 early. She hit three 3s total, while Peterson added a pair of treys and totaled eight points.
Grandview pulled away with 15 points in the third quarter.
Pickett dished out five assists, while Robbins recorded a team-high six rebounds. Hupp, Peterson and Doole grabbed boards apiece.
