A solid finish to a loss gave way to a dominant and much-needed win for Platte County on Thursday night. The Pirates rolled to a 44-14 blowout of Ruskin in a Suburban Conference White Division matchup Thursday night in Kansas City.
Platte County senior Rylee Carr goes in for a layup against Benton on Monday night at Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
Platte County (2-5) entered off of a double-digit loss to Benton on Monday but played much better after halftime. The momentum carried over with senior guards Rylee Carr (game-high 20 points) and Addie Ayers (10 points) continuing to carry the offensive load for a mostly inexperienced roster attempting to establish an identity. The Pirates came into the season with just those two returning after posting winning records in each of the past three seasons.
In the conference opener for Platte County, Ruskin (0-9) fell behind big early and never recovered. The Pirates struggled overall shooting, but Carr went 8-for-17 from the field and hit her only 3-point attempt while adding three rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Ayers hit a pair of 3s.
Platte County sophomore Millie Parker finished with four points and a team-high rebounds. Seven players scored for the Pirates with sophomore Rose Forbes and junior Macy Doll with three each and sophomore Madeline Arthurs and freshman Eva Bane adding two apiece.
Forbes hit Platte County’s fourth 3-pointer and continued to see increased playing time off the bench.
Still yet to play a home game this season, Platte County now goes into the extended holiday break with a much-needed positive result. The Pirates’ first six games of 2026 will be at Pirate Fieldhouse with the next three against North Kansas City (7-2), Liberty (7-0) and Grain Valley (6-1) — the latter starting a return to conference play that will then include home games against Truman (3-6), Raytown (0-4) and William Chrisman (4-3).
Platte County senior guard Addie Ayers takes a 3-pointer against Benton on Monday night at Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
Benton 58, Platte County 41
The Pirates went cold during an adverse second quarter Monday at Springer Gymnasium in St. Joseph.
Benton took advantage and held a 34-12 lead at halftime, but Carr scored 12 of her team-high 15 points after the break to help Platte County close the deficit late. The Pirates ended up shooting 37.8% from the floor and 9-for-11 on free throws with Ayers (eight), sophomore Clare Stephens (five), Arthurs (four), Forbes (two), Doll (two), freshman Emma Schank (two), Parker (two) and senior Emily Huehl (one) rounding out a long list of scorers.
Along with Forbes, Stephens continues to serve a more prominent role as a reserve ball handler.
Ayers, who made two of Platte County’s four 3-pointers, also shifts to point guard more, which can put more of a focus on Carr — the Pirates’ lone returning starter — to score. She’s started to step up to that expectation despite increased defensive attention, having put up double figures in five straight games.
However, Benton held Carr to just three points in the first half and hit a 3-pointer to start. The Cardinals quickly pushed the lead to 19-8. Carr split a pair of free throws to briefly close back within 19-9 before the Pirates ceded a 15-0 run.
Ayers’ 3 with 38 seconds left before halftime provided the last of Platte County’s four points in the second quarter.
Benton hit five of six 3-pointers in the first half to take control. Stephens scored her five points all in the third quarter to go with a team-high three assists, while Carr added a three-point play to build some momentum. Both players hit 3-pointers in the second half.
Arthurs finished with a game-high eight rebounds.
