By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
FAUCETT - Plattsburg has absorbed some tough blows this season.
With players in and out of quarantine, the Tigers (16-11) lost by 22 or more points to Cameron, North Platte, Lawson and Bishop LeBlond all before Christmas.
Then, a 40-35 win over Brookfield in the consolation bracket of the LeBlond tournament sparked a six-game winning streak.
"We've been through so much as a team this year," Plattsburg coach Chris Hodge said. "Through quarantine and girls out and girls back in. We've kind of figured things out since Christmas. We've lost some games, but we've competed so hard down the stretch here."
It wasn't the prettiest of runs in the back half of the year, as Plattsburg had only won four of their last 10 entering district play.
But after outlasting Stewartsville-Osborn (39-36) and North Platte (53-48), the Tigers scraped and clawed and found a way in a 51-46 win over No. 1 seed Mid-Buchanan in the Class 2 District 15 title game in Faucett on Friday night, avenging a 59-40 loss to the Dragons on the same floor just 22 days prior.
Again, maybe not the prettiest of outings Friday, but the competitive grit is evident.
"We've had our team together long enough now to where we can flow together," Hodge said, "and it's really starting to show."
It wasn't a pretty start for either team. Fouls bogged down the pace of the game, and both teams combined to miss eight free throws through the first eight minutes.
However, Plattsburg drew first blood, and held a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to three-pointers from senior Abby Daffron and junior Cole Hodge.
By the second quarter, Plattsburg settled in a bit, knocking down 6-of-8 free throws and never losing their lead. However, fouls piled up quick, as the Dragons reached the double bonus with more than six minutes to go in the second quarter.
Free throws were a struggle all night for Mid-Buchanan (15-11), as they went just 2-of-7 at the stripe in the second quarter, 5-of-15 in the first half and 15-of-34 for the game.
Leading 25-22 at the break, Plattsburg started to flex its muscles in the third quarter, as Hodge knocked down a trio of triples, helping the Tigers end the period on an 8-0 run and grab a 43-29 lead by the start of the fourth.
"I was feeling pretty good," Hodge said after scoring a game-high 20 points. "I had been in a slump and just coming out tonight and helping my teammates, it feels pretty good. It feels amazing to have a district championship. We've been waiting for this for years."
The Dragons gave it one final push, as sophomore Mallie Lieffring and freshman Liv Moeckli each knocked down a three-pointer, and a 10-3 run pulled Mid-Buch back to within 47-42 with just under two minutes to play.
Mid-Buchanan had its best quarter offensively in the fourth, scoring 17 points and getting into the double bonus with 2:47 left. But, a 7-of-14 clip at the charity stripe in those final eight minutes helped Plattsburg hang on.
It wasn't the prettiest of endings for Plattsburg either, as they went 6-of-16 at the foul line in the fourth quarter and had to watch Savannah Bingham foul out with 1:07 left.
Not the prettiest. Some tough blows taken. But, Plattsburg is learning to rally at the right time, having won four straight and punching their ticket into the sectional playoffs.
"They're just a great group of girls," Coach Hodge said. "They show up every day, they have a smile on their face, they work hard. You couldn't ask for a better group to coach. We don't have an all-state player, but we have a lot of really good girls."
Plattsburg was also dealt a tough blow off the court this season, when Coach Hodge's father, Randy, became ill with COVID-19 and was hospitalized for about 50 days. He had to miss all but two games this season.
But not Friday's. Much like his son's team, Randy persevered and found a way.
"We're 2-0 when he's here," Chris said. "So, hopefully, he doesn't miss the next one. He watched me play when I was a kid. Followed me everywhere. Been to about every game I've ever coached. It was really tough not having them there and worrying about him, but...he's on the mend. We're feeling good right now."
Plattsburg will now host Bishop LeBlond (17-7) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Eagles, the No. 1 seed in the District 16 bracket, took down East Atchison, 53-38 on Friday at North Andrew High School.
Plattsburg 51 - 15, 10, 18, 8
Mid-Buchanan 46 - 11, 11, 6, 17
Plattsburg scorers - Cole Hodge - 20, Savannah Bingham - 15, Abby Daffron - 11, Sylive Schroeder - 4, Lauren Masters - 2
Mid-Buchanan scorers - Mallie Lieffring - 12, Khania Clark - 11, Kacie Livengood - 7, Hannah Williams - 6, Jordan Thornton - 3, Liv Moeckli - 3, Paityn King - 2, Hailey Clark - 2
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.