by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Johnson County was as good as advertised Saturday in an 86-72 win over Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Ranked as high as No. 2 in the NJCAA Division II poll before a 3-point loss to Penn Valley, the No. 6 Cavaliers rolled behind blistering 57.8 percent shooting.
The loss snapped a 5-game KCKCC winning streak and dropped the Blue Devils to 12-7 heading into a road game at Ottawa University JV Wednesday at 7 p.m. JCCC, meanwhile, improved to 15-2.
The Cavaliers took command late in the first half, scoring the final 10 points of the period to forge a 41-35 lead they never gave up. The Blue Devils made one big second half run. Trailing 51-41, KCKCC closed to 54-50 on two field goals by Mike Lee, one by Lashawn Lewis and a 3-pointer by Kellan Turner only to have JCCC run off the next seven points for a 61-50 lead and KCKCC never got closer.
“Johnson County is a very talented team,” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton. “They came into our gym and went right at us. More focused than we were, they ran their offense to a T.”
Newton was particularly impressed by the Cavalier guards and particularly Denzel Wright, who had 33 points, the most scored against KCKCC this season, and Jerry Perry who had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
“Their guard play was outstanding,” Newton said. “Denzel Wright was the best player on the floor.”
Joe Lendway led KCKCC with 19 points and nine rebounds while Jonathan Murray added 14 points and six rebounds and Mike Lee 13 points and a game high eight assists. Dehaven Talley and Lashawn Lewis chipped in with 9 points each and Kellan Turner 8 points and 7 rebounds.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director with KCKCC.