December 2019 – Page 59 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Home at last: Blue Devils race to 90-53 win

Sophomore Jalen Davis, who led five Blue Devils in double figure scoring with 16 points, glided between two defenders for a finger roll attempt in KCKCC’s 90-53 win over Washburn junior varsity Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

Freshman Jermaine Yarbough went above the rim to throw down a dunk in KCKCC’s 90-53 win over Washburn University junior varsity Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

On the road for nearly three weeks, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s much-traveled men’s basketball team returned home with gusto Friday night.

With five players in double figures and everyone scoring, the Blue Devils poured in 51 second half points in the second half on the way to a 90-53 win over Washburn University junior varsity.

“It’s always good to get home; it seems like we’ve been on the road all season,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said. “And now we three in a row at home.”

The win was the third in four games for the Blue Devils, who play host to NJCAA Division I State Fair Tuesday at 7 p.m. and then close out pre-holiday play with a home game with Southwestern (Iowa) Saturday at 4 p.m.

Not only did everyone score for KCKCC, all 10 Blue Devils also had rebounds and eight had assists led by Calvin Slaughter with five and four each by Jermaine Yarbough and Ezekiel Lopes.

Jalen Davis led the Blue Devils in scoring with 16 points along with a game high four steals. Derin McDaniel, with four 3-pointers, added 14 points; DeAngelo Ball 12, Jaemaal Newson 11 and Slaughter 10. Tyione Gilmore, Newson and Yarbough with five rebounds each led KCKCC to a 46-25 domination of the boards.

While the Ichabods never led, they were down just 39-29 at halftime mainly because the Blue Devils out-scored the visitors 21-9 from 3-point. Sizzling 62.5 percent shooting (20-of-32) broke the game wide open in the second half.

“We got out quicker and ran faster in the second half, making them miss tough shots and then getting out on the break and pushing the ball,” Burgette said. “I liked the way we competed. Our pressure made them turn the ball over 20 times although we turned it over 16 times which is too many.

“I was also pleased with our second unit which scored 38 points,” Burgette said. “Now we can see how we can challenge ourselves against tough opponents closing out the semester.”

KCKCC shot 52.2 percent from the game and 39.3 percent from 3-point (11-of-28) as six Blue Devils had treys. The win came after five straight games on the road and 9 of the first 11 this season.

Piper new era starts with win over Ottawa

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates defeated the Ottawa Cyclones 66-51 in their season opener Friday evening. The Pirates overcame an early 14-point deficit to earn the victory.

In their first game since their state championship win in March, the Pirates have an almost completely new look, with four new starters and a new head coach.

The new edition of Pirates basketball started out shaky, letting 6-foot, 5-inch Ottawa senior Kobe Johnson control the action in the paint on both ends.

Down 20-6, Piper started its comeback late in the first quarter. Returning starter Tamar Bates became more assertive on the offensive end, earning his own shots off the dribble. Bates scored the final 7 points of the first quarter to pull Piper back to a 20-13 deficit.

Piper continued the comeback in the second quarter, scoring the first 8 points to take a 21-20 lead. Junior guard Dylin Taylor-Cantu found open shots on the edge and hit three 3-pointers in the quarter, including one in the closing seconds of the half to tie the game at 31.

The Pirates extended their lead through the second half, up by 20 until a late flurry of Cyclones defense pulled them back to the final 15-point margin.

Bates led the scoring for Piper with 32 points, while Taylor-Cantu knocked in 14.

Incoming head coach David Birch, most recently an assistant coach at 6A state champs Blue Valley Northwest, started his Piper tenure with a win.

Birch has a storied basketball career. He earned All State honors as a high school player at Olathe East, and he played professionally as a member of the Washington Generals, the standing opponents to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Piper will play next at the De Soto tournament, facing off against Blue Valley Southwest in the opening round on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Junior Dylin Taylor-Cantu turned the corner past Ottawa sophomore Bret Hart. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Ty Shelley went up with a shot over Ottawa’s Kobe Johnson. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Sophomore Jaron Briggs (10) ran into the defense of Ottawa senior Reis Moore (24). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Participants in the Holiday Dance Clinic performed with the Piper dance team at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Tamar Bates took a shot over the Ottawa defense. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Dylin Taylor-Cantu went up with a shot in the paint. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Tamar Bates went up for a shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Piper cheerleaders performed a stunt during the first quarter break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Dylin Taylor-Cantu dribbled the ball and looked for an opening in the Ottawa defense. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Tamar Bates set up the offense from the top of the circle. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Police notes

Child abuse case reported

Police responded to a call about 9:15 p.m. Dec. 6, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

A young teen told police that a suspect hit the teen with a cord during an argument, according to the report. The victim had minor injuries, the report stated.

Theft, domestic assault reported

Police responded to a theft, domestic assault and criminal damage case at 3:40 a.m. Dec. 7, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

A victim stated that suspects came out yelling at the victim. The suspects opened the victim’s vehicle and took multiple belongings, according to the report. Items in the vehicle were damaged. One suspect displayed a gun, and the suspects all fled, the report stated.

Theft, attempted rape reported

A theft and attempted rape case was reported at 4:22 a.m. Dec. 7, according to a social media post by the police.

The victim invited the suspect over, and the suspect brought another person, according to the report. While inside the house, the suspects took money and property, the report stated. One of the suspects pulled the victim into a room and tried to pull the victim’s clothing, the report stated. The victim screamed and both suspects fled, according to the report.