After the longest winning streak in nearly two decades came to an end, Platte County simply started a new one.
Platte County sophomore forward Rylee Carr drives to basket against Bishop LeBlond on Saturday at Benton High School’s Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
On Saturday afternoon, Bishop LeBlond provided a stern challenge in a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Benton’s Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph. However, Platte County sophomore Rylee Carr tallied a team-high and career-best 13 points in a 48-43 victory over the Class 3 Golden Eagles, who already have totaled 16 wins this season.
Platte County (17-3) has now won back-to-back games since losing in Suburban Conference White Division play last Monday at Grain valley. That ended the Pirates’ 12-game unbeaten streak dating to early December — the longest run since the program’s Class 4 state championship season in 2008-2009.
Carr and junior forward Lauren Stone (12 points) combined for more than half of the Pirates’ offensive production. Stone hit three of the Pirates’ six 3-pointers, while junior Addy Schlake just missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds plus three steals.
Platte County senior Lydia Doole added eight points and three steals.
LeBlond pulled within 36-35 going to the fourth quarter, but Platte County went 8-for-10 on free throws to stay in front. Carr went 4-for-4 and added a 3-pointer on her way to topping the 11 points she scored in the loss to Grain Valley that had set her previous career-high. This marked her third game scoring in double figures this season, having spent the majority of the year as the top option off the bench.
Platte County senior guard Lydia Doole takes a 3-pointer against Bishop LeBlond on Saturday at Benton High School’s Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
Platte County senior Delaney Childers hit her only 3-point attempts and scored five points, while freshman Armani Harlin accounted for the Pirates’ final two points from off the bench. Haley Barlow, a junior point guard, racked up six assists but did not score.
The matchup with LeBlond came as a result of a canceled matchup with Excelsior Springs from early junior. The Tigers opted not to reschedule and allowed for an opening on the schedule to seek out an additional nonconference game.
Platte County 47, William Chrisman 17
The Pirates finished a season sweep of the Bears on Thursday in Independence.
Platte County improved to 5-1 in White Division play and now needs a sweep of this week’s games at Belton (Tuesday) and Raytown (Thursday) to earn a share of the White Division conference title. There are scenarios to win outright, but the Pirates are currently tied atop the standings with Grain Valley after their season split. The Eagles close their regular season with Belton and William Chrisman.
Stone outscored William Chrisman in this matchup by herself with a game-high 18 points plus seven rebounds and three steals.
Platte County junior center Addy Schlake goes in for a layup against Bishop LeBlond on Saturday at Benton High School’s Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
Doole added 10 points and matched Stone’s two 3s, but defense made the difference with Platte County overcoming 16 turnovers by notching 23 steals — five for Schlake, who went scoreless but also grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds (seven on offense). Carr (five), Barlow (four), junior reserve Haley Schank (four), Childers (three) and sophomore reserve Addie Ayers (two) rounded out the scorers for the Pirates, who ended the game with a 30-point running clock.
Grain Valley 67, Platte County 52
The Eagles followed a game-high 24 points from sophomore guard Addy Seyfert to a White Division win last Monday in Grain Valley.
Having not lost since December 4 against Lafayette (St. Joseph), Platte County finally hit another bump of adversity despite a strong shooting effort overall, going 20-for-48 from the field and 5-for-14 on 3-pointers. The Pirates committed 23 turnovers, leading to transition opportunities for Grain Valley. Seyfert hit four of the Eagles’ six 3-pointers and shot 8-for-10 o free throws.
Stone scored 12 points and added five rebounds for Platte County, while Carr went a perfect 5-for-5 shooing from the field with 11 points plus a team-high three steals. Schlaked led the Pirates with seven rebounds to go with eight points.
Barlow and Doole tallied six points apiece, while Childers added five points, four rebounds and three steals. Schank (two) and Ayers (two) rounded out Platte County’s scorers. In the prior meeting at Pirate Fieldhouse, the Pirates hit eight 3s and forced 24 turnovers to pull away for a double-digit win.
