Month: February 2016

Blue Devils stay in title chase with 76-62 win over Hesston

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College broke open a nip-and-tuck game in the second half for a much-needed 76-62 regional win over Hesston Wednesday.

The win broke a tie with Hesston (3-3) for third place in Region VI and kept the Blue Devils (4-2) just a game back of once-beaten Fort Scott and Johnson County, both of whom are 5-1.

With Highland coming in to the KCKCC Field House Saturday at 4 p.m. and a road game at Johnson County next Wednesday, every regional win is vital because the first two finishers in the region will receive first round byes and home court semifinal round advantage in the Region VI playoffs.

KCKCC and Hesston were tied three times and the lead changed hands six times before baskets by Donald Metoyer and Joe Lendway and a 3-pointer by Mike Lee expanded a 30-28 lead to 37-30 at the half. The Larks got back to 37-33 but a 3-pointer by Kellan Turner, a Lendway layup and two Lee free throws rebuilt the lead to 44-33 and the Blue Devils were never headed, Closest Hesston could get was 52-46 with nine minutes left but a basket by Lendway and a 3-pointer by Armoni Shorter choked off any hopes of a Lark comeback.

“Definitely much-needed, that’s for sure,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said. “It helped get that nasty taste out of our mouth after the loss to Fort Scott Saturday.”

Newton was particularly pleased with the Blue Devil defense that limited Hesston to 34.9 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers.

“The defense was better,” he said. “Collectively as a team we limited their touches in the paint and did a good job of getting out on their shooters and making it tough. If we’re going to have success, we’re going to have to play good defense.”

Five players in double figures accounted for all but six KCKCC points. Mike Lee led the way with a double double of 12 points and a career high 13 assists, which tied him for sixth on the all-time KCKCC assist record. Armoni Shorter also had a career best 14 points including four 3-pointers while Kellan Turner was a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point in a 16-point effort.

Joe Lendway also had 16 points and Jonathan Murray 12 and shared the rebounding lead with eight each while Lee added seven to his double double.

AARP Tax-Aide offering tax help at KCKCC

The AARP Tax-Aide Foundation is offering free tax help at Kansas City Kansas Community College this year for those who qualify.

The service, which began Feb. 2 and continues through April 14, is for individuals with low to moderate income. Special attention is given to those who are at least 60-years-old.

The free service will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Upper Jewell on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave.

Helping taxpayers since 1968, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is the largest volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service in the United States. Priority will be given to taxpayers based on the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program.

Taxpayers need to bring:
· Social Security cards (or ITIN document, or Social Security document showing full name and ID number) for themselves, spouse and dependents
· Photo identification for themselves and their spouse if married filing jointly
· If filing jointly, both spouses should be present
· Last year’s income tax return
· Income documentation such as W-2s and 1099s
· Dependent care information
· All forms indicating federal incoming tax paid
· Health insurance coverage information for both spouses and dependents
· Form 1095-A if health insurance was purchased through the Marketplace
· Copy of all health care exemptions received from the IRS or Marketplace
· Unemployment compensation statements
· Details of real estate tax bills for claiming Kansas Homestead or Safe Senior Property Tax refunds
· Summary list of receipts and canceled checks for deductible items if itemizing

If you are receiving a refund, please bring a check for direct deposit.

For more information about other AARP tax help sites, call the AARP at 1-888-227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.

– From Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Best KCKCC women’s effort sets up Highland rematch Saturday

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Lady Blue Devils stormed their way into their most pivotal stretch of the season Wednesday night.

Unleashing a devastating fast-break attack, the Blue Devils (22-2) raced past Hesston 107-55 to set up rematches with the two teams ahead of them in the Region VI standings. Highland (22-2) invades the KCKCC Field House Saturday at 2 p.m. before KCKCC goes to No. 1 Johnson County (24-0) next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Highland (81-72) and JCCC (64-60) are the only two teams to post wins over the Blue Devils (22-2), who were ranked No. 7 in the latest NJCAA poll released Wednesday. A KCKCC win Saturday would pull the Blue Devils (4-2) into a second place tie with Highland (5-1), which suffered its first Region VI loss at Johnson County 60-51 Wednesday.

The Blue Devils put the Hesston game out of reach in a hurry, surging to a 24-4 lead in the first eight minutes. Hitting 23 of 38 shots for a sizzling 60.5 percent with just three turnovers, KCKCC stretched the lead to 61-25 at the half. For the game, the Blue Devils shot 56.2 percent, dominated the rebounding 49-29 and had 15 steals.

“That’s our best game of the year from an offensive standpoint,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “We shared the ball well, something we’ve done well most of the season. But tonight we were really good with our decision making and going through our progressions as far as our options in our offensive set plays.”

Four Blue Devils scored 17 or more points in their sixth straight win. Cheyenne North had 24 points, Brooklyn Wagler 20, Brie Tauai a career high 19 and Erin Anderson 17. Anderson also led in rebounds with nine and spearheaded the fast break attack with seven assists. Tauai also contributed seven rebounds and North six as all 11 Blue Devils had at least one rebound and one assist and all but one scored.

Defensively, KCKCC limited the Lady Larks to 29.2 percent shooting in the decisive first half and forced a total of 18 turnovers for the game.

“Our defense continued to stay solid,” McKinstry said. “I am constantly reminding the team to not look at the scoreboard and to stay focused on our defensive principles so that we don’t develop any bad habits. They’ve responded tremendously and it has showed in our effort and intensity the past couple of weeks.”

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.