By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
SPRINGFIELD - Some had wondered throughout the season whether or not a Platte Valley vs. Walnut Grove rematch would happen at the girls' basketball Final Four.
That rematch came not in the championship, but rather in the semifinals.
One could argue Friday's semifinal between Platte Valley and Walnut Grove was the pseudo state title game. At least, that's how it felt.
Platte Valley watched a 14-point lead slip away in the second half, but ultimately weathered the storm and held on for a 49-44 win over Walnut Grove in the Class 1 Show Me Showdown semifinals at JHQ Arena in Springfield on Friday night.
In all, 10 Platte Valley players scored in a true team effort - an effort to avenge the 52-41 loss to Walnut Grove in the Class 1 championship last year.
"It's awesome," said senior Malia Collins. "I'm beyond excited. I mean, It's the perfect opportunity - senior year, any year. But, with this special group of girls, that was such a special honor to play out there with them."
After a back-and-forth first quarter that featured seven lead changes, Platte Valley (30-0) built a 35-21 lead in the middle of the third quarter before the Tigers (23-5) stormed back with an 18-2 run to lead 39-37 with 5:12 left.
It was only a matter of time. At least, that's what Platte Valley head coach Tyler Pedersen thought.
Senior and two-time Class 1 girls' basketball player of the year Faith Gilkey, who averages 24 points a game and has scored over 2,500 in her career, was held to just two points in the first half.
Once she got out in transition, Gilkey got going, scoring seven points in the third quarter and 18 points in the second half.
"A lot of those I think were transition points," Pedersen said, "where she got a steal. They're champions (in 2019 and 2020). We knew they were going to do that. For us to withstand those blows they put on us in the third and fourth quarters, and to come back and make a run late, says a lot about the girls on the Platte Valley side. They're winners and competitors."
Gilkey's biggest bucket came at the 5:12 mark when she made a layup and got fouled. Gilkey made the free throw to give Walnut Grove its first lead since the first quarter.
Platte Valley had the answer just 25 seconds later when junior Jaclyn Pappert when down the other way and nailed a three from the left wing, putting Platte Valley back in front, 40-39.
About a minute-and-a-half later, freshman Brylie Angle hit a three of her own, putting Platte Valley ahead 43-39 with 3:19 to go.
Walnut Grove got it back to within one possession with 16 seconds left at 47-44.
In the double bonus, Pappert was fouled and made two clutch free throws with 10 seconds remaining to ice the game for Platte Valley.
No sweat for the 71.8 percent free throw shooter.
"Free throws are one of my stronger suits," Pappert pointed out. "I feel like I do better under pressure in those situations."
As good as Friday's win felt, the celebration must be short-lived, as Platte Valley gears up to face Leeton (23-4) in Saturday's Class 1 title game at 4 p.m.
Leeton beat South Iron in semifinals, 47-43, Friday and they, too beat Walnut Grove this year in a 47-42 decision on Jan. 23.
"We're definitely going to enjoy this for the few hours that we have," Collins said. "Definitely have to come ready to play (Saturday). Leeton beat Walnut Grove already, so going to be another good team tomorrow."
Platte Valley 49 - 17, 14, 4, 14
Walnut Grove 44 - 15, 4, 10, 15
Platte Valley scorers - Jaclyn Pappert - 17, Maggie Collins - 11, Paige West - 5, Brylie Angle - 5, Sarah Langford - 3, Madelynn Mattson - 2, Sydnee Deen - 2, Stephanie Turpin - 2, Malia Collins - 2
Walnut Grove scorers - Faith Gilkey - 20, Makayla McVay - 14, Lauren Johnson - 6, Sayde Crump - 3
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