by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Their hopes for a first round playoff bye jolted by a 71-59 loss at No. 5 Johnson County Wednesday night, Kansas City Kansas Community College basketball coach Kelley Newton issued a challenge for his Blue Devils the final four games of the season.
“We have to check ourselves,” Newton said. “I believe this team has the size, the talent and ability to win but we can’t continue to not to show up in big games. I’m challenging myself, my staff and my team: we ‘ve got to get better; we’ve got to play better in big games.”
At 5-3 in Region VI play and 17-9 overall, the Blue Devils trail both JCCC and Fort Scott by two games in the loss column heading into the final four games of the season. Idle Saturday, the Blue Devils are home against Labette Wednesday and Brown Mackie a week from Saturday, then finish on the road at Hesston Feb. 22 and Fort Scott Feb. 24.
Johnson County used a critical five minute stretch the final seven minutes of the half to take control. Tied twice and ahead twice, KCKCC trailed only 25-21 only to misfire on 10 of their final 13 shots of the half and trail 37-27. “We got within eight points three times in the second half but never closer,” Newton said.
Freshman Justin Myers did the most damage for JCCC, missing only one shot including 6 of 7 from three-point range in a 20-point performance.
“Justin Myers had a career night,” Newton said. His biggest trey came when KCKCC closed to a 9-point deficit with 4:50 left.
“For some reason, we looked tired and Johnson County (23-2) is really good,” Newton said. “They know how to score and have an identity and are very hard to play against. But we were not ready to play I’ll take full responsibility for that. It’s tough to swallow when we don’t show up in a big game like that.”
Jonathan Murray led the Blue Devils, hitting 8 of 13 shots for 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Joe Lendway added 11 points and five rebounds; Armoni Shorter 11 points and three 3-pointers; and Kellan Turner 9 points while Mike Lee led in assists with four.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.