by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
These are big days for Kansas City Kansas Community College men’s basketball coach Kelley Newton.
On Monday morning, Newton’s wife, Kelly, gave birth to the couple’s third daughter. On Monday night. Newton’s Blue Devils posted an 82-71 win over North Central Missouri in Trenton, a win that came on the heels of last Friday’s 76-53 cruise past Saint Mary junior varsity in Leavenworth.
And now comes the time of the season Newton and his staff have been preparing for and focusing on – the opening of the Jayhawk Conference-Region VI Division II season at Johnson County Wednesday with the women’s game at 5:30 and men at 7:30 p.m.
The men’s race shapes up as one of the most wide open in recent years. Highland boasts the best record at 15-5 followed by Fort Scott (14-6), Hesston (12-4), Labette (10-10), JCCC (8-12) and KCKCC (7-13).
When conference play opens, however, records can usually be tossed aside, especially considering a difference in strength of schedules.
“We’re all 0-0,” said Newton, who two years ago took the Blue Devils to their first Division II national tournament in history.
All six teams will qualify for the Region VI playoffs in late February with the top two teams receiving first round byes and the third and fourth place finishers hosting first round games. However, Hesston does not compete for the Jayhawk Conference championship.
KCKCC surged to a 44-31 halftime lead at North Central Monday, Guards Sterling Hicks and Duwan Davenport led the way with 12 points each. Hicks had four 3-point field goals and Davenport three field goals and six straight free throws.
Davenport finished with 22 points while Hicks added 16, Solomon Thomas and Malcolm Tate 10 each and Tyson Beringer, 8.
“Everyone played well and stayed focused,” KCKCC assistant coach Alton Mason said. “A good all-around performance.”
Sterling Hicks had a career high 23 points against Saint Mary including a sizzling 5-of-7 from 3-point and 9-of-13 overall. Juwan Davenport added 13 points, Tyson Beringer 12, Malcolm Tate 10 and Arother Ratlift and Solomon Thomas 6 points each.
Beringer had seven rebounds and Tate six to help KCKCC to a 31-18 advantage in rebounding. Beringer also had five blocks and Davenport led in assists with six.