Month: January 2018

Hot-shooting JCCC foils KCKCC men’s conference opener

An attempt by KCKCC’s Juwan Davenport’s to drive the lane was thwarted Wednesday by Johnson County’s Anthony Lupardus (10) and Marquawn Wilson. JCCC had seven blocks in an 87-52 win. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Turnovers are never good but they’re especially hurtful on the road as Kansas City Kansas Community College found out the hard way Wednesday night.

Johnson County converted 20 Blue Devil turnovers into 29 points on the way to an 87-52 win in the opening game of the Jayhawk Conference-Region VI Division race Wednesday night.

JCCC improved to 9-12 with the win while KCKCC fell to 7-14 heading into the Blue Devils’ conference home opener Saturday against Hesston. Women open the twin bill at 2 p.m. with the men to follow at 4 p.m.

KCKCC led 7-5 just three minutes into the game only to have the Cavaliers score the next 12 points for a 17-7 lead and the Blue Devils could never catch up. Closest KCKCC got was 20-13 before the Cavaliers surged to a 37-19 halftime lead.

Not only did the Cavaliers capitalize on the Blue Devil turnovers, they shot the ball with accuracy, won the rebounding battle 34-25 by giving up just seven offensive rebounds and blocked seven shots.

Shooting better than 50 percent each half, JCCC finished at 51.8 percent from the field and a torrid 12-of-25 (.480) from 3-point. Berlin Roberson led four Cavaliers in double figures with 19 points including a sizzling 5-of-8 treys.

Three Blue Devils, Juwan Davenport, Solomon Thomas and Sterling Hicks, shared KCKCC scoring honors with nine points each while DuVonte Beard added seven. Beard also led in rebounding with five and Davenport in assists with four. The Blue Devils converted just 7-of-28 shots for 25 percent the first half before 12-of-25 for 48 percent the second half lifted them to 35.8 percent for the game.

The two other conference openers went to the wire, Highland winning at Labette 74-70 and Fort Scott escaping at Hesston 68-66.

Piper results

Piper High School – 9th grade boys basketball at Lansing tournament
– Piper defeated Leavenworth 60-40
– Play at 10:15 Saturday

Piper High School – dance at Lee’s SUmmit (this past weekend)
– Team routines:
3rd place – Hip Hop routine
4th place – Jazz routine
– Senior Solos:
Isley Ford – 1st place
Aubree Knetter – 10th place

– From Doug Key, Piper High School activities director

‘Harlem Renaissance’ program planned today

The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library will be celebrating the Harlem Renaissance with several events planned this winter, including one tonight at the West Wyandotte Library.

The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of African-American art and culture in Harlem that started in 1918 and spanned the 1920s and 1930s. During January and February, the library will have art exhibits, movies, book clubs, and concerts, all celebrating the movement and people of Harlem – including an artist from Kansas.

The inspiration for this event series was Aaron Douglas, a prominent and influential artist during the Harlem Renaissance. Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas, and lived there until graduating from high school.

He moved to Harlem in 1925 and began developing his art and style. He was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance and his works influenced others for years after. He also helped set the stage for other African-American artists to enter the public realm through his involvement with the Harlem Artists Guild.

Library patrons will be able to learn more about Douglas by attending one of three events held in partnership with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25 at West Wyandotte Library, Feb. 1 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Feb. 15 at South Branch Library.

The Feb. 1 event will include a viewing of one of Douglas’s artworks. Library patrons can register for these events on the library’s online calendar at kckpl.org or by visiting is.gd/HarlemEvents.

A full list of the events that will be held can be found by visiting the web links. The culminating event is “A Night at the Savoy,” and 1920s themed concert and dance with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. With this event, travel back in time to Harlem’s famous Savoy Ballroom.

Patrons are invited to come as they are or dress up in their best 1920s inspired outfits to listen and dance the night away. It will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Main Library at 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.