KCKCC’s defending national champions have many new faces

Two-time NJCAA DII coach of the year, Joe McKinstry returns only two sophomores who played the full season on KCKCC’s 2018-19 national championship team. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

It’s “Meet and Greet” time for Coach Joe McKinstry and his 2019-2020 women’s basketball team at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Just four veterans – only two of whom played the full season – return from McKinstry’s second NJCAA Division II National Championship team of 2018-2019.

Thus McKinstry and assistant Timeka O’Neal are using pre-season conditioning workouts to get to learn the abilities and personalities of his incoming recruiting corps of eight freshmen and one sophomore.

“All of them bring various qualities but all are also very inexperienced,” McKinstry said. “You just don’t replace nine players who won 32 games and a national championship overnight. I do think what our offense may lack, the defense will make up for it by getting us some easy baskets.”

A pair of prolific 3-point shooters, Brodi Byrd and Caroline Hoppock, return to lead the youthful Blue Devils.

A 5-6 guard from Truman, Byrd became a full-time starter midway through the season, averaging 8.9 points and 3.0 rebunds in 22 starts. She had 76 2-point goals, the fourth most in a single season and ninth career-wise.

A versatile 5-11 combo guard-forward from Olathe East, Hoppock tied the KCKCC record for 3-pointers in a single game, netting eight on 8-of-11 attempts. Playing multiple positions, Hoppock averaged 7.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

“Byrd was obviously a big part of our success down the stretch run and we are looking for her to build on that by creating more opportunities for herself off the dribble,” McKinstry said. “Hoppock is a very strong and agile athlete with a phenomenal shooting stroke who because of her versatility, will have a big impact playing inside.”

Also returning are 5-8 Carson Chandler of Sarcoxie, Missouri; and 5-4 redshirt freshman Diamond Williams of Detroit, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries. Chandler joined the Blue Devils the second semester but injured her knee in early season conditioning.

“Carson had a fantastic spring and summer,” McKinstry said. “We need to get her back to being healthy; she has a knack for scoring. Diamond Williams is still not 100 percent from the knee injury that kept her out all last season but is the toughest defender I’ve seen. Just having her on the floor is an asset because her energy and effort is contagious.”

The fifth sophomore is 5-5 point guard Destiny Zamudio of Chicago, who transferred from Malcolm X in Chicago.

“Very talented but she’s not played enough meaningful basketball the last two years and needs to get in competitive shape to fulfill our expectations,” McKinstry said.

McKinstry’s biggest concern is finding the rebounding to replace three of the best rebounders in KCKCC history in Nija Collier, Kisi Young and Lillie Moore.

The freshmen candidates are 6-1 Kamryn Estell of Belton, 5-10 Anija Frazier of Lee’s Summit North, 5-9 Alieyya Jones of Lincoln, Nebraska; and 5-11 Mercer Roberts of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

“Extremely quick with very good mobility, Estell will do a lot of damage around the basket and can shoot the three while Jones is very athletic with a high motor; someone we look to impact the game in many ways,” McKinstry said. “Roberts is long and athletic and will rebound with bigger players but can also step out and knock down perimeter shots. Frazier is a strong guard who will create mismatch opportunities for us. She has the potential to be a very good defender.”

There’s a wealth of talent in the backcourt – 5-7 Aliyah Myers of Derby, 5-6 Jada Mayberry of Kapaun Mt. Carmel, and 5-6 Tiaira Earnest and 5-5 Adoreya Williams, who were teammates at Mumford High School in Detroit.

“Williams is a terrific ball handler with good speed; Earnest is extremely fast and very active on both ends of the floor,” McKinstry said. ”Mayberry is an extremely tough and physical guard who can impact the game on both ends. Myers comes from a very highly respected program at Derby and brings a lot of experience and winning and playing in meaningful games.”

A two-time NJCAA national coach of the year, McKinstry is in his fifth season as KCKCC head coach. He’s assisted for the third season by O’Neal, a former University of Kansas and Johnson County Community College standout.