PLATTE CITY – Typically having 21 turnovers and only making eight shots isn’t a recipe for success, but the Platte County girls’ basketball team (15-2) used those ingredients to cook up a dozen wins in a row on Jan. 29.
Entering the night needing two more consecutive victories to reach the longest winning streak the program has had since 2009, Platte County survived a potential upset against Fort Osage (6-11). It was an uphill battle from the get-go as the Lady Pirates trailed 9-0 and didn’t score until a first quarter buzzer beater by Addy Schlake.
Platte County’s offense got going in the second period, eventually cutting the deficit to 15-13. Addie Ayers had six points and Amani Harlin added two points amidst an 8-0 run.
Fort Osage responded, scoring 11 of the final 13 points of the half to extend the lead to 26-20 at halftime. Platte County locked in defensively in the second half – allowing only one made shot in the third quarter, albeit from behind the arc – and a pair of late free throws by Rylee Carr cut the deficit back to two ahead of the final eight minutes of play.
Trailing 29-25 when play continued, the fourth quarter was a defensive battle, but the home team eventually fought back to take a lead. With 1:57 remaining, Haley Barlow put the Lady Pirates ahead 31-30.
Platte County forced a turnover on the other side of the court, milked the clock and Ayers made two free throws with 29.8 seconds left. Fort Osage responded with a pair of free throws on the other end and got another possession, trailing 33-31, but failed to get a shot off before the buzzer and Platte County survived.
Eight of the nine Lady Pirates who played scored, but none finished in double figures. Ayers led the offense with eight points, making both of her 2-point shots and all four of her attempts from the charity stripe.
Lauren Stone also went 4-of-4 from the line, scoring six points and forcing two steals. Lydia Doole shot 1-of-5 from behind the arc while the rest of the team went 0-of-11 from downtown.