Platteview Boys Fall to Roncalli on the Court

The Trojans Boys Basketball ended the 2021 winter break with a big game against Omaha Roncalli. To start off, Platteview beat the Pride at home last March (2021) for the district title, ending Roncalli’s season. In doing so, the Trojans yet again looked to beat Roncalli to help secure their hopes at a state run.

Platteview lost the tip-off, turning into two quick points on the ensuing possession from the Trojans; it was stolen and taken for another two points, putting the pride up four within the first 20 seconds. The Trojans called a timeout and ended the quarter – down five. The offense for Platteview came out cold during the second quarter, scoring six points compared to the Pride’s fifteen. Going into the half, the Pride had a 35 to 21 lead.

The 14 point lead for the Trojans was a lot, but it wasn’t the first time they had to come back.  At one point during the first quarter of the Omaha Gross (Cougar Classic Championship) game, the Trojans rallied, winning by eighteen. Being down and coming back wasn’t an issue for the Trojans with Gross, just as they hoped it wouldn’t be with the Pride.

Coming out of the break, the Pride outscored the Trojans 20 to 13, adding to the lead they already had. At the start of the fourth quarter, the hole that the Trojans dug for themselves just got bigger. At one point the Trojans were down by 27 in the fourth. The seal on the game was a two-hand slam from Roncalli Guard Jack Orr (22) which took all the energy out of Platteview’s hands and into Roncalli’s. The game ended a 22 point loss for the Trojans, the biggest loss since playing York in the 2019 District title game where they lost 54 to 22.

Platteview lost the game due to missing 31 shots and only grabbing three offensive rebounds. Two came from guard Connor Milikan (2) and one from Dayton Swanson (50). Millikan (2) had twenty-five points and six rebounds. Swanson(50) had a night on defense, having a couple of steals and blocking six shots.

Platteview has a tough stretch of games coming up going on the road to Bennington (6-3), on the road to Ashland (7-1), and on the road with Conference rival Wahoo (8-1). They then come back home for two games, playing Yutan (5-4) and Nebraska City (4-5).