Tigers headed for state, From Page East Buchanan falls to South Harrison in state sectionals

After winning both a conference and district championship in 2023, the East Buchanan Lady Bulldogs’ hopes of reaching another state championship game came to a fast but valiant end in the state playoffs.

East Buchanan (23-5) fell to South Harrison (23-6) in the Missouri Class 3 State Sectionals, 52-46, on Tuesday, February 28, at Staley High School in Kansas City. Four days later, South Harrison lost to the defending Class 3 state champions El Dorado Springs.

After trailing throughout the first half, East Buchanan fought back to take a one-point lead over South Harrison, 35-

34, going into the fourth quarter. It wasn’t enough, however, as South Harrison was able to outlast the Lady Bulldogs in a physical contest.

“South Harrison did a nice job of applying pressure and taking advantage of our foul trouble,” said East Buchanan head coach Cori Elms. “I’m always proud of our players and their fight. We talked about it at halftime, that we had been on that same floor a few years prior and clawed our way back. I thought we did that again, but we fell a little short.”

East Buchanan standout and Division II commit Gracie Kelsey finished her stellar career with 24 points on the night with eight rebounds. Fellow senior Kinzie Woodside added nine points with five rebounds, and Hilarry Elifrits raked in seven rebounds. peared primed for the comeback. Neither turned out to be true.

The last four years have proven to be a golden era for East Buchanan girls basketball, as the team won 84 games, four conference championships, three district championships, a Class 2 state championship in 2020, and a Class 3 quarterfinal appearance in 2022. Even in 2021, without the services of the then-injured Kelsey, the Lady Bulldogs won 14 games and went 6-1 in the KCI to win the conference.

For more on East Buchanan’s historic 2023 season, check back in next week’s issue of The Clinton County Leader.

The Tigers took a 30-24 lead into halftime, but only after building a 15-point lead in the second quarter, then watching as Weaubleau stormed back into the contest and seized the momentum. Plattsburg buckled down in the second half, took each punch their opponents had to offer, and went on to the six-point victory.

“The guys just stayed the course and took care of business,” said Plattsburg head coach Twydell Love, Jr. “Weaubleau gave us all they had.”

Junior Isaia Howard finished the night with yet another double-double stat line, scoring 26 points with 11 rebounds and six steals. Senior James Braddy added 13 points, and both Luke Schroeder and Jackson Lewis scored six points. Rylan Langton added two points.

Earlier in the week, the Tigers rushed past LeBlond in the Missouri Class 2 State Sectionals, defeating their MEC opponents 61-40. Braddy led Plattsburg with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Howard scored 20 points with 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Schroeder and Lewis each scored eight points, while Langton scored four points with four rebounds.

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“I thought our players stepped up and accepted the challenge,” Coach Love said of the win. “The zone in the third quarter helped us jump out to a good lead. James and Isaia both provided offense for us.”

The community has rallied behind the team this year and this week has been special in Plattsburg, as the team has prepared to hit the biggest stage Missouri high school basketball has to offer.

“The focus is to enjoy the moment and do what got us there,” said Coach Love. “Everything from here on out is icing on the cake to our special, historic season here at Plattsburg.”