SIOUX FALLS - Platte-Geddes had the ball in the right players' hands, players that they counted on the regular season.
Then again, so did No. 1 seeded Red Cloud.
The difference was that the Black Panthers had shots fall from junior Keith Cutler, who scored 26 points, and point guard Jordan Johnson scored 12 points to help Platte-Geddes advance to the Class A boys basketball tournament title game with a 72-60 victory over Red Cloud.
"We counted on those guys all season long to get the job done," said Keith's father and Platte-Geddes' head coach Frank Cutler.
Christian McGhee led the Crusaders (23-2 overall) with 20 points but outshot the whole Platte-Geddes team by 15 3-pointers (7-22). Lester Gotheridge scored 13 for Red Cloud, and David Ciago scored 11.
The Black Panthers (22-3) shot 71.4 percent from behind the arc (25-of-38) while Red Cloud shot 22.2 percent from the 3-point line (10-of-45). Platte-Geddes shot a phenomenal 81 percent from the field in the semifinal match-up.
In the closing minutes, Platte-Geddes was baiting the Crusaders in take 3-pointers and Red Cloud hoisted up as many as they could, but
they were either off the rim right, or off rim to the left.
"We try not to rely on the three so much, but when you live or die by the three, I guess today we died," said Red Cloud head coach Matt Rama.
"Not to take anything away from Platte-Geddes, but we mostly do hit those shots, today they weren't."
Platte-Geddes' 1-3-1 zone caused problems for Red Cloud all day and forced them into settling for the 3-pointers in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
"Today, it worked out for us, as long as they weren't making five-six in a row (3-pointers) we were doing fine," said Keith who finished with eight rebounds and seven assists.
In the opening minute of game action, Platte-Geddes guard Jordan Johnson came out of the game due to a cut and both teams realized how important Johnson's ball-handling and overall talent is on the court.
"We tried to take advantage by making some shots, but Cutler made some buckets for them," Rama said.
Back on the court, Johnson led Platte-Geddes emotionally and propelled his team in the finals with gauze and a large band-aid on his chin.
Platte-Geddes 6-foot-5 center Collin Ringling scored 17 and grabbed more defensive rebounds than all of Red Cloud (12-9).
Red Cloud will play Sisseton at 5 p.m. MDT for third place today. Platte-Geddes will play Madison in the championship at 6:45 p.m.
