Month: March 2019

Youth movement holds promise for KCKCC men’s basketball

Sophomores Malcolm Tate (35), DuVonte’ Beard (15) and Arother Ratliff (34) were presented their jerseys in appreciation of their two years at KCKCC under the tutelage of head coach Kelley Newton, left, and assistant Alton Mason. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Youth was served when it comes up to wrapping up Kansas City Kansas Community College’s men’s basketball season for 2018-2019.

With just three returning sophomores and only two who finished the 2017-18 season, seven Blue Devil freshmen got a crash course introduction into collegiate basketball in a 14-17 season.

“With so many freshmen to count on, it was a season to figure things out,” sixth year head coach Kelley Newton said. “Our young guys had to figure out to win, how to practice, how to have a good practice. The bottom line is that I believe everyone one of our guys learned a lot. The sophomores understand more of what it takes to be a college player as they move on to their next team and the freshmen realize what it takes to be a college player and the mental aspect it takes to be successful.

“It presents a great opportunity in front of us for next season. I have not had this many potential returners in my six years as coach here. With eight freshmen (including 6-8 redshirt Jeremiah Brantley) we have a lot of experience coming back for the 2019-2020 season.”

Five of the top six scorers return. Losses include forward Arother Ratliff, who finished second in scoring (9.3) and earned second team All-Region VI; 6-2 guard Malcolm Tate, who averaged 5.8 points; and 6-6 forward DuVonte’ Beard, who had 2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game.

Heading the list of returnees are Calvin Slaughter, a 6-2 guard who led in scoring (9.8) and was on All-Region VI third team; 6-6 forward Daiyon Taylor who led in rebounding (5.1) while averaging 7.8 points; and 6-2 guard Kelyn Bolton, who led in assists (3.6) and averaged 6.3 points.

The Blue Devils also return 6-2 guard Jalen Davis, who was third in scoring (8.1) and second in field goal percentage (.503); the top two three-point shooters in guards Taylor Turner and Cody Dortch; and 6-6 forward Jonathan Richmond, who averaged 4.7, 2.6 rebounds and led in shooting percentage (57.5 percent). Turner had 48 3-pointers including 10 vs. Park (second most in KCKCC history) and eight vs. North Central while averaging 6.2 points; Dortch had 46 treys and a 5.5-point scoring average.

Newton is counting on experience to provide leadership, especially to avoid long scoring droughts that plagued the Blue Devils this season.

“The difference this season was that we did not have someone who could always get a big-time bucket; we always had to do it by committee,” Newton said. “So we need to develop things we need in the off-season and come back with a lot of fire.

“We have some key pieces coming back. Calvin Slaughter can develop this summer as someone we can lean on for scoring output. Daiyon Taylor is someone who we can trust in the post along with Jonathan Richmond, who gave us some important minutes,” he said. “Our starting point guard, Kelyn Bolton, led us in minutes and assists and we have perimeter scoring in Turner and Dortch.

“In each of our post-season meetings, everyone touched on not realizing how important every possession was, how important each little detail of the game was,” he said. “As a coach, I have to feel good about that. I told every returnee now the work begins to make sure we capitalize on those opportunities we let slip away this season.”

Moderate to heavy rain expected

One to 1.5 inches of rain are expected in Wyandotte County through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service graphic)

Some areas along rivers to the north and east of Wyandotte County are experiencing flooding. (National Weather Service – USGS graphic)
The Missouri River at Kansas City is not near flooding currently, but could rise to an action stage next week, according to a NOAA hydrology chart. (NOAA – USGS chart)
Wind gusts may reach into the high 30s in mph on Wednesday. (National Weather Service graphic)

Moderate to heavy rain is expected across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The rain will begin early this morning and continue through Wednesday, the weather service said. Spotty showers are then expected Thursday, according to the weather service.

A total rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected through the region, the weather service said. Isolated to scattered non-severe storms are possible Wednesday.

Minor flooding is possible in some areas, including to the north and northeast of Wyandotte County.

Wyandotte County is not currently under a flood watch. The Missouri River at Kansas City could possibly rise to an action stage next week, according to hydrology charts.

Today’s forecast is a high near 54, with an 80 percent chance of rain, mainly before 3 p.m., the weather service said. A south wind of 8 to 13 mph may gust as high as 22 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, there is a 70 percent chance of rain, and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m., according to the weather service. The low will be 51 with a south southeast wind of 13 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday, there is a 100 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. The high will be near 64 with a southeast wind of 14 to 22 mph, gusting as high as 39 mph. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 42, according to the weather service. A south wind of 18 to 21 mph may gust as high as 33 mph.

Thursday, there will be a 30 percent chance of showers with a high near 46, the weather service said. A southwest wind of 22 mph will gust as high as 34 mph.

Thursday night, it will be cloudy with a low of 30, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 44, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be sunny with a high near 49, the weather service said.

Saturday night, expect a low of 31 with mostly clear skies, according to the weather service.

Sunday, the high will be near 53 with mostly sunny skies, the weather service said.

Sunday night, the low will be around 33 with mostly clear skies, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 56, the weather service said.

Fatal accident reported at Glendale and Garfield avenues

A fatal accident was reported on Monday afternoon at Glendale Avenue and Garfield Avenue, according to police.

A silver Chevrolet Trail Blazer was northbound on Glendale Avenue, making a left turn onto Garfield Avenue, the Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman stated.

A motorcycle was southbound on Glendale in the intersection when it struck the Trail Blazer, the spokesman stated.

The driver of the motorcycle, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene, the police spokesman stated. The driver of the Trail Blazer was not harmed.

The accident is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Traffic Support Unit – Critical Collision Response Team.