In remarkable comeback fashion, the No. 5 state-ranked North Platte girls basketball team won its second straight district title after a 62-58 victory at North Platte High School against University Academy Charter.
The Panthers’ district journey began in the semifinals with a 70-19 victory over Barstow on Feb. 27. On March 1, the Panthers came back from a double-digit deficit to claim the Class 2 District 15 championship.
North Platte came out strong with a 10-6 lead in the first quarter against University Academy, but the Gryphons flipped the script with a 21-5 second quarter as they took a 12-point lead entering the half- time break.
The Panthers’ comeback bid started in the third quarter but they still trailed 43-32. In desperate need of a significant offensive output in the final frame, North Platte got precisely what it wanted.
North Platte poured 26 points in the fourth and held University Academy to 19, just enough for the Panthers to out- pace the Gryphons for a 62-58 victory.
While North Platte were out-rebounded 41-18, losing 16 offensive rebounds, they were opportunistic as they shot 44% from the floor. The Panthers forced 14 steals and scored 23 points from 27 Gryphon turn- overs.
Senior duo Brianna DeBord and Linny Ramsey led the Panthers’ offensive efforts. DeBord had a pair of 3-pointers and shot 11 of 15 from the free- throw line to tally 19 points, while Ramsey scored 18 points with six buckets and four turnovers.
North Platte had its hands full against University Academy senior Anonda Ford. She scored 28 points, nearly half from the free-throw line, and had 12 rebounds but turned the ball over 11 times.
The Panthers improved to 24-4 on the season as they ex- tended their winning streak to 8 games. Focus quickly shifted over to their next contest, a sectional matchup on home court against West Nodaway/Nodaway-Holt on Tuesday, March 4.