Platte Valley Late Surge Tames Tigers Advances To Title Game

Platte Valley’s girls basketball team recovered from a 14 point comeback by the two-time defending state champs and closed the game out with the help of two big 3-point shots in the 4th quarter as Platte Valley defeated Walnut Grove 49-43 in the Class 1 Girls Semi Final game Friday evening in Springfield at JQH Arena.

Platte Valley and Walnut Grove nearly matched one another basket for basket in the 1st quarter with Platte Valley getting two 3-point buckets from Jackie Pappert in the 1st quarter and 5 other players scored as Platte Valley led narrowly 17-14 after 1.

Platte Valley separated in the 2nd quarter when Walnut Grove was held to just 4 points in the second period, and didn’t get a field goal until Lauren Johnson hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute to go before half.

Platte Valley even extended a 31-19 lead at halftime to 14 with a little over 5 minutes to go in the 3rd when the Tiger run began.  The Tigers run and jump pressure forced Platte Valley into nine 3rd quarter turnovers, and when Tiger standout Faith Gilkey hit a 3-point shot with 30 seconds left in the quarter, Walnut Grove got to within 35-29 going into the 4th quarter.

Walnut Grove closed fast early in the 4th and even took a 39-37 lead in the 4th quarter when Jackie Pappert hit the first of two big 3-point shots to give Platte Valley the lead back.  Brylie Angle then another one with 3:19 to play to give Platte Valley a 43-39 cushion.

Maggie Collins would get another basket inside to bump the lead to 5, and Platte Valley hit enough free throws to close it out and deny the Tigers a chance at a third straight title.  They also won three straight in the 2013-15.

Jackie Pappert scored 17 in the victory.  Maggie Collins had 11 points and 15 rebounds.  Platte Valley also shot 50 percent from the 3-point line.

Platte Valley faces Leeton in the Class 1 Girls Championship game on Saturday after at 4pm.  Leeton defeated South Iron 47-43.

Platte Valley Head Coach Tyler Pedersen had these comments after the game.