Platte County continues to show the ability to play with most opponents on any given night. Finishing off wins remains the problem.
In Friday night’s regular season finale, Platte County regularly led Grandview in the first half of a nonconference matchup at Pirate Fieldhouse and held a lead in the closing minutes only to end up with a 58-47 loss. The Bulldogs closed on a 15-2 run to turn a late two-point deficit and potential upset into a somewhat comfortable victory, dribbling out the final 37 seconds left uncontested.
Platte County finished the regular season on a six-game losing skid and now enters Class 5 District 8 play as the No. 4 seed with an 8-17 record and uncertain potential in the eight-team bracket.
Before the game, Platte County honored seniors Chandavian Bradley, Boston Wahlert, Trevor Redding, Parker Amos and Kai Oates. Bradley delivered a memorable performance with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, but the Pirates didn’t have the normal support around the star forward.
Still, Grandview couldn’t find much separation in the second half until late.
Platte County junior guard Judah Vignery, limited to just eight points, converted a three-point play to start the fourth quarter and put the Pirates in front 40-38. A lane violation against Grandview, second of the half called against the Bulldogs, gave him a redo on the free throw that looked important.
Grandview answered with a 3-pointer to start a back-and-forth sequence.
Vignery added another bucket, and Amos buried a 3 for the last of his five points — both giving Platte County brief leads. The Bulldogs answered each, immediately coming back from Amos’ triple with one of their own to take the lead for good with 4 minutes, 15 seconds left in regualation.
Platte County would not score again in what became another frustrating loss. In a 3-10 finish to the regular season, the Pirates have regularly been in games late but have lost four by four points or fewer and another two where extended offensive droughts late turned tight contests into double-digit defeats.
With all five seniors in the starting lineup, Platte County jumped to an encouraging start. Amos had the opening basket, and Bradley added a two-handed slam, running through the lane after corralling a loose ball, and then a 3-pointer to stake the Pirates to a 7-3 lead.
Grandview trailed by as much as five in the first quarter with Bradley hitting two of his three 3s, and Vignery added one of his own early in the second quarter to to break a 12-12 tie. Platte County continued to lead with the Bulldogs going more than 5 minutes without a field goal but failed to take full advantage. The Pirates led by as much as six but went into halftime up just 25-21.
Out of the break, Grandview immediately ripped off a 7-2 run to take the lead and appeared set to pull away.
Instead, Platte County trailed 31-27 after the first of two free throws with 3:51 left third quarter. A lane violation then negated a make on the second, and Grandview picked up a technical foul for arguing the call. Wahlert hit both free throws, but the resulting possession ended without any points. The Bulldogs answered with a 3 to go back up two possession, and that held until Bradley converted a 3-point play and Wahlert splashed in a triple near the end of the third quarter to set up the contentious next 4 minutes.
However, with Wahlert limited to seven points to go with seven turnovers and sophomore Jaden Peterson and Oates contributing two apiece off the bench, Platte County didn’t have the scoring punch to generate the upset. The Pirates have a little break to try and correct issues.
Platte County opens district play Wednesday at home against fifth-seeded Van Horn (9-16) with the winner advancing to play No. 1 Pembroke Hill (20-5), which advanced to the state semifinals in Class 4 a year earlier and jumped up a level this season.
Class 5 District 8 defending champion William Chrisman moved up to Class 6 this season.
Raytown South 68, Platte County 67
The Pirates opened the week with a nonconference loss Tuesday in Raytown, despite 23 points from Vignery and 22 more from Bradley.
Vignery hit four of Platte County’s 8 3-pointers, and the Pirates shot nearly 65 percent from the floor but couldn’t overcome 18 turnovers. Bradley nearly finished with a double-double, adding nine rebounds, while Amos hit two 3s to finish with seven points and four boards.
Wahlert (six), Peterson (five), junior guard Connor Currence (two) and Redding (two) rounded out the scorers.
