by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Joe McKinstry had multiple reasons to be concerned about Kansas City Kansas Community College’s first-ever meeting with McCook Community College.
An NJCAA Division I team out of Nebraska, the Lady Indians came into Saturday’s clash with an 11-4 record and averaging 89 points, 80-82 shots, 34-35 free throws and 33 3-point attempts per game.
The Indians did not disappoint. A collision of two fast-breaking, high-scoring teams, there were three ties and four lead changes in a furiously fought, fast-paced first quarter led by KCKCC 21-20 on Caitlyn Stewart’s three-pointer at the horn and it came to see which team would stumble first.
It was not McKinstry’s No. 5 ranked Blue Devils (16-2), who responded with one of their best quarters of the year, a 28-10 outburst that laid the foundation for a 98-72 win.
“I was very concerned, as concerned as I’ve been all year,” McKinstry said. “Their coach (Kellen Fernetti) is a good friend of mine and I knew they would play hard, play fast, drive the basketball and shoot a lot of three’s. Even though we spent three days preparing, I think we were still caught a little off guard about how quickly they played.”
Once acclimated to the fast pace, the Blue Devil defense stepped front and center, giving up only three field goals (3-of-15) in the second period while draining 5-of-10 three-pointers. The Blue Devils also forced seven turnovers including three off Lexy Watts steals and outrebounded the Indians 13-7.
“Our defense was phenomenal, just three field goals,” McKinstry said. “We got locked in defensively and took away their fast-break opportunities. And we also started making perimeter shots after struggling early.”
Trailing 24-21, KCKCC tied the score on a layup and free throw by Camryn Swanson and then took control on consecutive three-pointers by Brodi Byrd, Swanson and Caroline Hoppock that opened a 36-25 lead. By halftime it was 49-30 with Lillie Moore scoring 12 points and Kisi Young and Swanson nine each.
Moore and Young would lead five Blue Devils in double figures. Moore had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Young 19 points and seven rebounds while Lenaejha Evans had 14 points and three steals, Swanson 12 points on four treys, Nija Collier 10 points and six rebounds and Hoppock nine points. Watts led in assists with six and was without a turnover.
“Balance has been our strength all season,” McKinstry said. “Of the four teams I’ve coached, this team is by far the best team I’ve had in being able to call out plays and have them executed. And a lot of time we have players in different positions. We have about 45 plays, easily the biggest playbook I’ve had, and far and away our players know what to do to execute them.”
The Lady Blue Devils close out non-conference play this coming week, as hosts of Missouri Valley junior varsity Monday and Southeast Nebraska Friday, both at 6 p.m., before beginning Jayhawk Conference play at home against Labette Wednesday, Jan. 23.
