Kansas City Kansas Community College put the defensive clamps on Highland in racing to a 74-54 win Saturday.
The Blue Devils held the Scotties (7-4) to 10 points the first 15 minutes of play; surrendered just 6-of-35 first half shots for 17.1 percent; and gave up no 3-point goals in a game that was never in doubt.
The win improved KCKCC’s record to 9-6 heading into a Wednesday game at Labette. They’ll return Saturday afternoon to play host to Fort Scott in a game originally scheduled for Fort Scott.
“I think we’re playing our best basketball right now,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said. “We’re are taking pride in defending; a great job tonight of limiting the drive and making Highland take tough shots.”
The Blue Devils had just two players in double figures but 11 of 12 who played scored and all 12 had rebounds. Knocking down 5-of-10 3-pointers, Deron McDaniel had a game-high 19 points; DeAngelo Bell added 12. Robert Rhodes chipped in with a game-high 12 rebounds along with eight points; Shayon Jonloo had seven points and Cody Dortch a pair of treys while Bryce Johnson had eight rebounds as KCKCC won the battle of the boards 47-42.
The Blue Devils built a 25-10 lead with 4:56 left in the first half and went into halftime with a 32-17 lead by limiting a Highland team that had been shooting 46.3 percent to 17.1 percent on just six field goals. The lead buoyed to 61-32 midway through the second half as the Blue Devils intermixed full court and half court defenses that forced 16 turnovers and totally disrupted the Scotties’ offense when the game was decided.
Led by Trey Bates’ six assists, the Blue Devils had 19 assists on 28 field goals. “When we play fast and under control, we make good things happen,” Burgette said. “We’re a pretty deep team; we come in waves and put on a lot of pressure. When the ball moves, we can get any shot we want.”
The Blue Devils were 28-of-66 for 42.4 percent from the field, 12-of-32 from 3-point (.375) while the Scotties were 20-of-64 (.313) from the field and missed all 10 3-point attempts.
Size doesn’t seem to matter, at least to the Kansas City Kansas Community College duo of Aliyah Myers and Tiaria Earnest.
Both guards scored 20 points and terrorized Highland defensively in the Blue Devils’ 80-63 home court win Saturday. It was the second straight game in which both Earnest and Myers have both scored 20 points.
The win boosted the No. 5 ranked Blue Devils’ record to 12-1 heading into a showdown at No. 2 ranked and unbeaten Labette in Parsons Wednesday. Because of COVID, the game will be Labette’s first in Jayhawk Conference play.
A 5-6 guard from Detroit, Earnest also led all rebounders with 11 and had three steals; the 5-7 Myers led in assists and steals with four of each.
Hannah Valentine, who was 5-for-6 from the field, added 15 points and seven rebounds; Aysia Arrowood a career high seven points; Faith Putz six and De’Jaria Guillory four points and six rebounds.
Knocking down 7 of their first 13 shots, the Blue Devils raced to leads of 10-0 and 15-2 in the first five minutes but had to turn back one Highland comeback.
Trailing 24-12 after one quarter, Highland outscored KCKCC 13-1 to start the second period to close to 25-24 and it was still 30-26 before a layup by De’Jaria Guillory and six straight points by Valentine widened the KCKCC lead to 38-26 at the half.
The Scotties never got closer as the Blue Devils stretched their lead to 50-33 in the first five minutes of the third quarter and led by as many as 27.
KCKCC led the rebounding 46-38 and forced 31 turnovers while committing 21.
“Two of our smallest players, Tiaria and DJ (Guillory) combined for 17 rebounds which just shows how much rebounding is a matter of effort,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said.
Earnest’s 20-point effort was her third 20-point game since returning from the injured list seven games back while Myers has been a mainstay both offensively and defensively.
“Both are returners and played significant roles last year so I think that has played into their comfort level and confidence,” McKinstry said. “Hannah Valentine has been better lately. She’s someone I don’t have to call plays for, she’s just active and does it on her own.
“I think this is the fourth time we’ve force 30 or more turnovers and we’ve done it with a man-to-man half-court defense. I’ve said all along this is the fastest and deepest team I’ve ever had. And our guards do a little bit of everything. Highland makes it a little tough because they spread the floor so much.”
A study released March 5 showed that mandating masks and restricting on-premise dining can limit community transmission of COVID-19, including reducing case number rates and death growth rates.
According to the study, where masks were mandated, there was a decrease in daily COVID-19 case rates and death growth rates within 20 days of implementation.
The study also says that where on-premises restaurant dining was allowed, there was an increase in daily COVID-19 case growth rates 41 to 100 days after implementation, and an increase in daily death growth rates 61 to 100 days after implementation.
The study analyzed county-level data and state executive orders mandating masks and restaurant closures.
The study’s findings support the CDC’s recommendations for universal masking and avoiding nonessential indoor spaces to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the study looked at data from counties and states in the United States from March 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 12 COVID-19 case on Friday, March 5, for a cumulative 17,736 cases. There was a cumulative total of 273 deaths reported, no change since Thursday. Case number updates now are issued from Monday through Friday, not on Saturday or Sunday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 160,965 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Saturday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 85. Cumulative deaths in the nine-county area were 2,236.
The state of Kansas reported 295,861 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday, March 5, an increase of 752 cases since Wednesday. There were a total cumulative 4,812 deaths, a decrease of four since Wednesday, KDHE figures. The KDHE stated that the decrease in deaths was attributed to a review of death certificates. Some deaths originally reported as COVID-19 were determined during the review as not having had COVID-19 as the main cause or contributing cause of death, according to the KDHE. Case number updates are issued on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 28,952,949 cases in the United States, with 524,362 total deaths nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Monday
The Pierson Community Center COVID-19 testing site at 831 S. 55th is open at 9 a.m. Monday, March 8. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Another COVID-19 testing site will be at Lowe’s, 6920 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Monday, March 8. The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open Monday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests there on Monday. There is also another UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway. More information is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
Walk-in vaccines available for those 85 and older
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday for Wyandotte County residents who are over 65.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 85 or older can walk in and do not need an appointment Monday through Friday at the vaccination sites at 7836 State Ave. and 10500 Parallel Parkway. The sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who are 65 and older, as well as critical workers, still need appointments for vaccines.
All those 65 and older should bring an ID or other proof of age, such as a driver’s license, government ID or birth certificate, as well as something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as an ID or a piece of mail.
For more vaccine information, and to fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
