by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Based on Kansas City Kansas Community College’s 91-61 win at Southwestern in Creston, Iowa, Wednesday, a 25-day layoff may not be coming at the best time.
“Probably our most complete game of the season in terms of being in control from start to finish,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “We’ve really put an emphasis on defense in practice lately and the girls have responded very well.”
The win was the ninth in a row for the No. 3 ranked Lady Blue Devils (13-1) heading into one last game before the 3½-week holiday break. The finale comes Sunday at 11 a.m. against Illinois Central in the St. Louis Classic.
KCKCC continued to get excellent balance at Southwestern. Every Blue Devil scored, every Blue Devil had at least one rebound. In fact, the Blue Devils were so balanced that five starters combined for 46 points, the five reserves 44 points.
Five Blue Devils scored in double figures. Brodi Byrd led with 16 points followed by Jada Mayberry with 14, Aliyah Myers 13 and Mercer Robert and Anija Frazier 12 each.
Kamryn Estell added eight, Destiny Zamudio seven and Adoreya Williams five.
Roberts led the rebounding with nine, Estell had eight and Mayberry seven. Adoreya Williams and Tiaira Earnest led in assists with three each.
Defensively, the Blue Devils forced 23 turnovers that they converted into 22 points. Diamond Williams and Byrd led the way with three steals each. KCKCC also outscored the Spartans 52-30 in the paint while limiting them to 32.8 percent shooting.
Myers and Byrd provided the early offense as the Blue Devils bolted to a 28-15 first quarter lead. Myers had 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting and Byrd had a pair of 3-pointers in adding eight points as KCKCC shot 52.2 percent from the field; 28.6 percent from 3-point.
“Southwestern switched up defenses throughout the game and I thought our girls did a great job of figuring out what we needed to be doing offensively and it led to everyone contributing on the scoreboard,” McKinstry said. “Everyone also had a rebound so I was very pleased with our overall effort.”
KCKCC will resume post-holiday play at home, playing host to Southeast Nebraska Jan. 9 and Metropolitan Jan. 11.
