Already off to a slow start this season, Platte County ended up shorthanded in the Savannah Invitational consolation semifinal Wednesday in Savannah. The Pirates were without senior forward Kiersten Robbins and sophomore point guard Lydia Doole in the starting lineup while reserve guard Reese Pickett also missed the game.
Platte County junior guard Morgan Stewart defends against Maryville in a Savannah invitational consolation game Wednesday in Savannah.
All three were in COVID-19 protocols.
Platte County still turned in by far its best performance in the season but lost 54-42 to Maryville. The Pirates entered 0-2 but put up a season-high for points behind 13 from senior forward Amaira Peterson.
However, with only seven teams in the field, Platte County’s tournament came to an end with the loss. The Pirates had scored just 42 points total in their first two games — a 51-19 loss to Raytown last week in the season-opener and a 50-23 defeat against Benton in the Savannah Invitational opening round.
Peterson and junior guard Joslyn Hupp combined for 13 points in the first half, but Platte County trailed 32-20 at the break. A pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter from Peterson and junior guard Morgan Stewart helped keep the Pirates within striking distance.
Maryville, a Class 3 powerhouse the last four years behind current Kansas State freshman Serena Sundell, hit all five of its 3-pointers in a hot-shooting first half.
The second half played out much closer, and Platte County made just 5 of 11 free throw attempts, leaving some points off the board that could have helped facilitate a comeback. Peterson had seven in the first half and six in the second half, while freshman Lauren Stone, who started for the shorthanded Pirates, and Hupp added eight points apiece.
Platte County freshman guard Haley Barlow dribbles at a Maryville defender in a Savannah Invitational consolation game Wednesday in Savannah.
Platte County’s other starters were Stewart (six points on two 3s) and freshman Haley Barlow, who scored all four of her points in the fourth quarter. Addy Schlake, another freshman, made her varsity debut with three points off the bench.
Now with two extra days of rest, Platte County will return to the floor Monday against Lafayette likely still shorthanded with a Thursday road game at Fort Osage also on tap.
Benton 50, Platte County 23
The Cardinals took advantage of a fast start on the way to a runaway win in the tournament opener on Monday.
Platte County managed just two points in the first quarter from Stone off the bench. Pickett and Stewart hit 3s in the second quarter, but the Pirates went into halftime down 31-12. Pickett put up five points in the first half and four in the second half to finish with a team-high nine.
Seven players factored in the scoring for Platte County with Peterson next at four points. Stewart’s 3 was her lone basket, as was Stone’s first quarter two-point field goal. Robbins and junior Mackenzie Shields also scored two apiece, while Hupp went 1-for-3 on free throws in the second quarter for her only tally.
