Sports
West Platte’s softball team is off to a 5-9 start to the season in a schedule packed with tough competition.
Platte County’s football team didn’t let deja vu strike again, using a dominant rushing performance from junior Caleb Hill to guide the Pirates to a 38-17 victory over Smithville on Sept. 18.
Park Hill South softball used a pair of shutout victories as they swept all three games that were completed at the 2026 Park Hill South Tournament, held Sept. 18-19.
Park Hill’s girls tennis team had a productive week on the courts, highlighted by a rivalry triumph over Park Hill South and an impressive appearance at the St. Joseph Central Tournament.
Park Hill was far from perfect, but Andrew Minder played the game of his life to carry the Trojans to their first win of the season, defeating Park Hill South 38-20 on Sept. 11 at Preston Field.
The Greater KC White Division volleyball teams have been sent an early-season message that Platte County means business.
The West Platte football team relied on a big defensive performance to successfully defend its tobacco stick with a 24-6 victory over North Platte at Rudolph Eskridge Stadium in Weston on Sept. 11.
After a challenging start to the season, Park Hill’s softball team responded well with a big week that included a pair of conference victories and a runner-up tournament finish.
The bid for Platte County’s girls tennis team to repeat their conference championship is off to an ideal start after a pair of early conference victories.
Park Hill South’s boys swimming and diving team continued its strong start to the season on Sept. 8, defeating both Lee’s Summit and Kearney in a tri meet at the Park Hill Aquatic Center.
A confident Platte County team has come out of the gates crushing the softball early on this season.
An opportunistic first half led the Park Hill South football team to a dominant 61-20 victory on Senior Night against Grandview.
An internal emphasis on consistency helped the Park Hill girls volleyball team make quick work of Park Hill South on Sept. 1, sweeping their district rival in three sets on the road.
Rainouts and relocations will be less of an issue at Park Hill South after it officially opened its upgraded softball field on Aug. 31.
Platte County’s football team opened a new era with a similar result that many had become accustomed to over recent years.
It appeared that North Platte’s five-year reign as the champions of the North Platte Softball Invitational was nearing its end, then the Panthers’ offense came to the rescue.
The Park Hill football team opened its season in a similar fashion to how last year ended, losing to Liberty North 31-17 after second-half struggles on the home turf of Preston Field.
West Platte’s football team rode a hot start to the finish line in its season-opener, defeating Maysville 35-6 on Aug. 28 in Weston.
Braden Hendee expected nothing more than another summer round with a friend at Shiloh Springs Golf Club on July 5.
Eight years after Landry Shamet became the first Park Hill High School graduate to reach the National Basketball Association, the 2015 graduate has reached another milestone no other Trojan has accomplished.
Commitment and perseverance are paying off for Anna Anderson, who is now taking another big leap in her flag football career.
Platte County senior infielder Brennan McLaughlin was named the Class 5 Player of the Year for a second straight season, leading all baseball honorees in postseason awards.
More than five dozen Class 5 baseball teams concluded the season in defeat, but a critical performance from senior starting pitcher Owen Bane provided Platte County with an opportunity to end its season in the win column at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.More than five dozen Class 5 baseball teams concluded the season in defeat, but a critical performance from senior starting pitcher Owen Bane provided Platte County with an opportunity to end its season in the win column at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.
The KCI Conference honored eight local baseball players as all-conference performers for the 2026 season.
Landry Shamet, a Park Hill Class of 2015 graduate and eight-year veteran of the National Basketball Association, has become a key figure for the New York Knicks over the past two seasons. Now, he aims at helping the Knicks end a 53-year drought without an NBA title.
For the first time in more than three decades, Park Hill has a state champion triple jumper. Sophomore standout Nikyah Chappell became the triple jump champion after earning a state medal in the 400-meter run at the MSHSAA Class 5 State Championships on March 30 in Jefferson City.
Simon Ketter saved his best run for his last one at the MSHSAA Class 5 State Track and Field Championships on May 30. After a hard push in the second half of the 1,600-meter run, Ketter earned himself the biggest reward he could get: a state championship medal. It was the first time a Park Hill South student-athlete had ever won state in the 1,600.
With the season hanging in the balance in two critical postseason games, Platte County’s baseball team has turned to Zach Brown. Both times, Brown has delivered immensely on home turf.
The 2026 season was a year of significant growth for the Platte County girls soccer team, culminating with sophomore Emily Fadler having a standout campaign to earn Defensive Player of the Year from the Greater KC White Division postseason awards.
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Platte County’s soccer team flirted with danger in the first half, but a much-improved second half gave junior forward Kayden Roy the chance to deliver a much-needed goal and lift the Pirates over Smithville on Sept. 16 at Pirate Stadium.
West Platte’s softball team is off to a 5-9 start to the season in a schedule packed with tough competition.
Platte County’s football team didn’t let deja vu strike again, using a dominant rushing performance from junior Caleb Hill to guide the Pirates to a 38-17 victory over Smithville on Sept. 18.
Park Hill South softball used a pair of shutout victories as they swept all three games that were completed at the 2026 Park Hill South Tournament, held Sept. 18-19.
Park Hill’s girls tennis team had a productive week on the courts, highlighted by a rivalry triumph over Park Hill South and an impressive appearance at the St. Joseph Central Tournament.
Sports Photo Galleries
PLATTE CITY — The Platte County football team celebrated America on Military Appreciation Night, defeating Smithville 38-17 on Sept. 18 at Pirate Stadium.
OZARK — The Platte County baseball team finished third in Class 5, capturing a state trophy for the third time since 2022.
JEFFERSON CITY — The 100th MSHSAA Track and Field Championship were held May 29-30 on Licklider Track at Jefferson City High School.
PLATTE CITY — Platte County’s baseball team used a steady defense and timely hitting to win a second consecutive Class 5 District 8 championship. After defeating East and St. Pius X earlier in the week, the Pirates defeated Kearney 7-3 on May 23 to take the district title on home turf.
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The 161st annual Platte County Fair kicked off Wednesday, July 24 and ran through Saturday, July 27 at the county fairgrounds in Tracy. Activities included the Queen contest, demolition derby and horse show. Trinity Wrightfield was named 2024 Fair Queen on Wednesday night.
The Platte City Police Department welcomed families into downtown Platte City Tuesday, Aug. 10 for free food, activities and other fun. The rain held out to allow the visit of Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf.
The 158th Platte County Fair returned to a full four-day event this year, Wednesday, July 21 through Saturday, July 24 in Tracy.

Platte County’s soccer team flirted with danger in the first half, but a much-improved second half gave junior forward Kayden Roy the chance to deliver a much-needed goal and lift the Pirates over Smithville on Sept. 16 at Pirate Stadium.