'A Flick of the wrist': Jonathan Alder's Platfoot breaking records despite challenges
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
By Scott Gerfen
sgerfen@cbussports.com
Jonathan Alder senior Evan Platfoot holds the single game, single season, and career three-point records in school history. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Athletes often find themselves facing adversity, ranging from injuries and mental challenges to tough competition. These events typically make them stronger and more resilient.
That’s been the journey for point guard Evan Platfoot, who has overcome physical challenges to become one of the prolific 3-point shooters in the history of the Jonathan Alder girls basketball team.
She now holds two program records, including the most career 3-pointers (167) and 3-pointers made in a game (nine).
“When I first came back from the surgery, I was a lot more timid in driving to the hoop, so that’s when I really think I started shooting more from the outside,” said Platfoot, a senior. “And then, I started making them, and that has given me a lot of confidence.”
Born with a congenital deformity in her wrists, Platfoot underwent successful surgery in elementary school. However, her right wrist, her shooting hand, began to bother her, again, during her sophomore season.
“So, we decided to have the bigger surgery, and they basically cut into my bone and put in a metal plate and screws,” she said.
Evan Platfoot of Jonathan Alder competes against North Union on Dec. 27 at Jonathan Alder. Photo: John Hulkenberg
She experienced setbacks during recovery.
In fact, Platfoot didn’t know if she’d be able to play after her doctor noticed her wrist wasn’t healing properly. Right when the cast was scheduled to be removed, she had to be refitted for another cast.
“I was rushed coming back, but we made it work,” she said.
Despite the challenges she faced after her surgery, Platfoot remained determined to regain her shooting prowess and continued to work with a shooting coach, taking shot after shot outside of practice.
The difficulty, she said, was “flicking her wrist” and “focusing on the follow through.”
Her improvement showed on the court last season when she made 70 of 210 3-point shots and broke the school record for most made 3-pointers in a season set by Brianna Votaw (66) during in 2004-05.
Her record nine 3-pointers came in a 67-63 win at Kenton Ridge last January where she scored a career-high 36 points.
Evan Platfoot of Jonathan Alder competes against North Union on Dec. 27 at Jonathan Alder. Photo: John Hulkenberg
This season, Platfoot is 36 of 130 from three-point range. She tied the school record for career 3-pointers made (152) set by Votaw during the 47-38 loss to North Union on Nov. 27. She broke the record three days later in a 47-41 win at River Valley.
Platfoot was averaging a little better than 16 points per game following the Pioneers’ 48-45 loss to Allen East on Jan. 15. She has 1,108 career points.
“Her follow through is a lot more consistent now because she doesn’t have that physical hindrance,” said Alder coach Allen Eggleston, whose team was 8-6 overall and 4-2 in the Central Buckeye Conference ahead of its Jan. 17 game at Benjamin Logan. “She’s able to rotate the ball a little bit better.”
But what Eggleston truly admires about Platfoot is her work ethic, something she embraced even before the surgery.
“She’s always been a double-dipper in terms of doing team-assigned workouts and, and then making sure she gets the workouts in on her own,” Eggleston said. “You know, confidence comes from the way you prepare yourself. … She may not be the most athletic athlete that we’ve had at Jonathan Alder, but by golly does she work the hardest.”
While Platfoot excels in basketball, she also starts at shortstop for the softball team that reached the Division II state championship game in 2022 and lost to Wooster Triway 2-1.
She played for a travel softball team in the fall.
Platfoot hopes to play basketball or softball at the next level. However, regardless of what’s next, one thing is certain – her dedication and resilience on and off the court make her a standout athlete to watch.
Evan Platfoot of Jonathan Alder passes the ball against North Union on Dec. 27 at Jonathan Alder. Photo: John Hulkenberg