The Park Hill South boys basketball team took home a fifth-place plaque in the Patterson Division from the William Jewell Holiday Classic after defeating Raytown 64-54 on Dec. 30.
It was an important way to finish the tournament after suffering a 66-62 opening-round defeat to Blue Springs on Dec. 27. In response to that defeat, the team rallied together for a 22-point win against Barstow on Dec. 28 before sealing the plaque with another double-digit victory against Raytown on Dec. 30.
“There was definitely a sour taste in our mouth by how we performed on the first night,” Sollars said. “Really, our kids decided that today, and our last game, that we were going to establish where we thought we were. We’ve got to give it up for our kids for responding.”
The Panthers showcased their depth right out of the gates when five different scorers scored the first five baskets of the game to build an early six-point advantage. Raytown responded by going on an 8-2 run to end the first quarter, tying the game 14-14.
Raytown carried its momentum into the second frame, making it a three-possession game. South sparked back to life when Carson Bjorn corralled one of his five offensive rebounds of the day for a putback bucket, kick-starting an 8-0 run that gave them a 24-23 lead.
“We just finally remembered what’s going to make us good,” Sollars said. “Throwing the ball to the post and letting our four and fives touch it is who we are.”
After taking a one-point lead into halftime, Park Hill South created some separation in the third period. The Panthers went up by as many as 13 points, but a late 3-pointer got Raytown within 10 points as South took a 48-38 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Park Hill South’s lead was reduced to single digits at the start of the fourth, but they always had a response. The Panthers’ lead extended as far as 15 points in the final frame, but Raytown’s three-ball kept the scoreline more respectable as South secured fifth place with a 64-54 victory.
Bjorn finished the game with his third double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds with 8 assists and a pair of blocks. He also helped the Panthers eliminate turnover points scored against them by cutting down the amount of turnovers.
Jackson Wheeler and Aaron Phillips also reached double-digits, combining for 23 points. Among some key background performers were JoJo Elful and Joe Luken, who took some minutes off the bench. Luken tallied 8 points, 3 rebounds and an assist, but it was his defensive work that stood out the most to Sollars.
“Joe Luken was huge today by stopping number 10 (Miguel Morgan),” Sollars said. “We were having trouble throwing different bodies on him, and Joe gave us the best chance to stop him.”
Joe Luken drives towards the basket against Raytown on Dec. 30.
Raytown’s Morgan went 6 of 15 from the field for 21 points. South’s big presence down low dominated the paint, outscoring Raytown 46-18, while the Panthers also outpaced the Cardinals’ bench 21-9 and 16-5 second-chance points.
The Panthers have shown some promising signs already this season, but they still have work to be done. He anticipates his guards to continue building to play at a higher level and his overall team to grow into the fitness levels needed for a basketball team that can do damage come March.
“There’s some progress, but there is still a lot of progress yet to come,” Sollars said. “We’re still not all the way in basketball shape. I think in about a month, we’re going to be where we need to be, which is the perfect time.”
Park Hill South opens its conference schedule on Jan. 9 with a district rivalry clash on the road against Park Hill.