North Platte guard Lindsay Ramsey had a team-high 16 points in the 12 Courts of Christmas win over Sweet Springs at Hy-Vee Arena on Dec. 18.
ST. JOSEPH – The North Platte girls’ basketball team (9-1) was dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way after claiming its fifth straight victory at the Civic Arena Holiday Hoops Tournament on Dec. 21.
Since losing its only game in the KCI Conference Tournament, North Platte has averaged 57.2 points per game and has only allowed 28.8 points per game. This is the first time since the 2015-16 season that the Lady Panthers enter January with only one loss.
Having scored at least 56 points in each contest since the KCI Conference Tournament ended, North Platte played back-to-back at a neutral location. The Lady Panthers took on Sweet Springs (6-3) at Hy-Vee Arena in the 3rd Annual Twelve Courts of Christmas on Dec. 18 before beating East Atchison (3-7) in the St. Joseph Civic Arena.
Sweet Springs put up a fight early and even led 10-8, but North Platte dominated from that point on and outscored its opponent 52-17 the rest of the way. The Lady Panthers had 18 offensive rebounds and had a 59% offensive rebound percentage in the 59-27 win.
Lindsay Ramsey had a team-high 16 points and six steals to go with five rebounds. Kate Wolf was efficient off the bench, making all three of her shot attempts and scoring six points.
Kenedie Summers ended the night with six points, five rebounds and six assists. MaKenna Cartwright had nine points and Brianna DeBord had seven points, while Allyson Smith ended with four points and seven rebounds.
North Platte kept it rolling in St. Joseph, with a similar performance. East Atchison kept it close in the first half – with North Platte leading by five with a couple minutes left – before the Lady Panthers closed out the half on a 12-1 run.
After taking a 33-17 halftime lead, North Platte built that into a 56-26 win. East Atchison only scored nine second half points, including three total in the fourth quarter.
DeBord had a team-high 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting while Allyson Smith scored eight points and dished out three assists.
Cartwright finished with eight points and eight rebounds, whereas Ramsey had 12 points, three assists, four steals and four rebounds.
The Lady Panthers have been playing good basketball so far this season and will have a bit of a break before playing again. North Platte’s next scheduled game is on Jan. 3 at Maysville (5-5).
After that, the Lady Panthers will have a chance to get revenge for their sole loss of the season. North Platte lost 40-29 to Mid-Buchanan (5-5) back on Dec. 7 and will host the KCI rival on Jan. 5.