Month: January 2018

Offense shines as KCKCC men avenge recent road loss, 98-73

KCKCC sophomore guard Duvan Davenport soared high over On Point’s 6-7 Deladris Green for a shot attempt in the Blue Devils’ 98-73 win Friday while teammate Arother Ratlift (34) trailed the play. It was the first game for Davenport, who scored 22 points and claimed nine rebounds. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Home for the first time in more than a month, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Blue Devils responded with one of their biggest offensive shows of the season Friday with a 98-73 win over On Point Hoops Academy.

The win came just six days after the Blue Devils had dropped an 87-78 decision to On Point in El Reno, Okla., and set up two more chances for revenge wins starting Saturday when KCKCC plays host to Penn Valley in the final game of the KCKCC Classic.

The Blue Devils are also home Tuesday against Washburn University junior varsity at 7:30 p.m. after falling to the Ichabods 66-57 in Topeka Nov. 27.

The return home also marked a spectacular debut by 6-3 sophomore guard Juvan Davenport. A transfer from Coppin State playing his first game in a year and a half, Davenport led all scorers with 22 points; just missed a double-double with nine rebounds; handed out four assists and had three steals. He was also nearly perfect in shooting, hitting 7-of-8 field goal attempts and 8-of-9 free throws.

“He gives us a different element,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said.

Four other Blue Devils joined Davenport in double figures. Freshman Solomon Thomas scored 19 points and led with six assists; Arother Ratliff was 4-of-5 from the field in a 14-point performance; Sterling Hicks scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds; and Tyson Beringer was 5-for-5 from the field for 10 points and shared the lead in rebounds with nine.

In addition, the Blue Devils got eight points and four rebounds from Malcolm Tate and five rebounds from DuJuan Sweet.

The sharp shooting enabled the Blue Devils to shoot 53.5 percent for the game. Never headed, KCKCC took a 42-22 halftime lead by netting 18-of-35 shots for 51.4 percent and then stepped it up to 55.6 percent by hitting 20-of 36 attempts in the second half.

The much-needed win ended an 8-game losing streak for the Blue Devils (5-11).

“Happy to get a win,” Newton said. “Now we’ve got four more games to get ready for the conference season.”

KCKCC opens Region VI Division II play at Johnson County Wednesday, Jan. 24, and then returns home to play host to Hesston on Saturday, Jan. 27.

In the first game of the Blue Devil Classic, Fort Scott came from behind for a 67-64 win over Penn Valley.

Piper girls over Bonner 59-20

Piper sophomore Riley Porter (12) set up the backcourt press against Bonner freshman Keyana Cruse (21). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper High School Lady Pirates, ranked the third best 4A Division 1 team in the latest Kansas coaches’ poll, continued their path toward another Kaw Valley League crown with a 59-20 defeat of the Bonner Lady Braves on Friday night.

The game started slowly, with Piper leading 6-2 halfway through the first quarter. The Pirates then turned up the heat, running away to a 17-3 first quarter advantage and taking the mystery out of the final result.

Piper’s backcourt trapping defense led to several Bonner turnovers and when Bonner broke the press, Piper’s taller defenders prevented the Braves from sprinting to the rim.

Grace Banes’ accurate shooting generated 15 points to lead Piper, including three 3-point shots. Reserve guard Riley Porter added 12, mostly in the second half. Ali Vigil scored 10 in limited minutes.

Hallie Hoffine led the Braves with 10, sometimes generating her own offense off the dribble when the Piper defense was tight.

The Lady Pirates remain undefeated at 9-0 (4-0 in the league). They will play next at Turner High School on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The Lady Braves drop to 2-7 (1-4 in the league) and will play in the Tonganoxie Invitational Tournament, starting against the KC Metro Academy Mavericks on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Piper sophomore Ali Vigil (25) defended against a shot attempt by Bonner Springs senior Skyler Ochoa (32). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
This young Bonner fan joined the cheerleaders for a few cheers. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Piper freshman guard Evelyn Vazquez (3) looked for an open teammate. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Ali Vigil tried to work the ball inside against the Bonner defense. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Skyler Ochoa dribbled the ball looking for a way around Evelyn Vazquez. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Grace Banes looked to reverse the ball from the right corner. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs junior Hallie Hoffine (11) drove the ball against Piper sophomore Grace Banes (15). (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Saturday events

Rally planned Jan. 13 on expanding KanCare
A rally on expanding KanCare is planned from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. It is sponsored by the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, which is planning rallies across Kansas that will discuss what KanCare expansion would mean to Kansas. KanCare is the state’s Medicaid program. Reservations are requested. For more information, and to make reservations, visit http://www.expandkancare.com/event/expand-kancare-rally-kck/.

Library offers story time
A family story time is planned from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the youth craft room at Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Those attending will read stories, dance and sing. This story time is geared to children ages 2 to 6.

Lego Club to meet
A Family Lego Club will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the craft room at the West Wyandotte Library, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. This event is for anyone who likes to build with Legos. Those who attend may work on their own creations or build as a team. The Legos will be provided. The program is for all ages.

Lego movie to follow at Main Library
The Lego Ninjago movie will be shown from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the second floor auditorium, Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The 101-minute movie is open to children, adults and senior adults.

Bilingual story time offered
A bilingual story time will be offered from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the craft room at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. There will be an hour of stories and songs in English and Spanish. This event is for children.

Chili and bingo event planned today
The Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick Catholic Church are sponsoring a chili and bingo event from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the parish center, 94th and State Avenue. The cost will be $7 for adults, $4 for children under 12 and $20 for family. The menu includes all-you-can-eat chili and hot dogs. Bingo will be $1 per game.

In the event of inclement weather, call or check with the sponsoring organization first to see if the event is still scheduled. To send in items for Saturday events and community news, send an email about events happening in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to news@g3f.1db.myftpupload.com or maryr@g3f.1db.myftpupload.com. Be sure to include your contact information.