Worth County’s girls got their fourth straight win 17-15 over Platte Valley, but found the going much tougher than the first time in Monday’s game. Previously, the Tigers had won by double digits, but a totally different Platte Valley team came, swarming, pressing, and trapping and making full use of their huge bench. And far from the tales of woe we have heard from them about declining numbers, they had 18 players dressed out for Monday’s game. And the boys had 15 dressed out for their game with Worth County. While their numbers for 8th grade are thin, they more than make up for it with their huge 6th and 7th grade classes.
Both sides battled to a standstill in the first half; Worth County was unable to bring the ball up against the swarming tactics of Platte Valley, while Worth County didn’t back down, but gave it right back to them. Platte Valley led it 5-3 after the first half.
But Worth County managed to cut down on their turnovers in the second half; they had nine in the second half after having 17 in the first half. Megan Tracy scored off an Audrey Runde steal, Kristen Tracy scored off a drive, and Kambree Briner scored from inside off an inbounds pass from Keira Hardy to make it 9-5.
Platte Valley hung around after Emori Dunn cut it to 9-7 after three, and it didn’t help Worth County that their most aggressive defender that night, Megan Tracy (15 tips, 7 steals) picked up her fourth foul. It didn’t seem to matter when Audrey Runde scored off a steal and Kristen Tracy kicked one out to Keira Hardy, who scored off a drive to make it 13-7. But then the turnover problem reared its ugly head again as Finley Moutray got a steal and breakaway to spark the blue shirts. Kirsten Miller hit a tough shot from the wing. Kambree Briner scored off a drive, but Dunn got behind the defense and Megan Tracy picked up her fifth foul down the stretch.
Bella Day got behind the Tiger defense as Platte Valley continued pushing it up the floor with 1:37 left to put Platte Valley in front 15-14, but Audrey Runde got a steal and hit one for two at the line with 32 seconds left to tie it at 15. Worth County got the ball back, ran down the clock, and worked it into Kristen Tracy, but she missed both free throws. At that point, people had to be wondering how many overtimes this one would go to; the Tigers needed two earlier in the year to beat North Harrison. But Keira Hardy got a tieup and the possession arrow pointed to Worth County with three seconds left.
Keira Hardy, the team’s best passer, inbounded the ball to a wide open Kambree Briner on the right baseline and she knocked it down at the buzzer to give the Tigers the win.
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