by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Playing back-to-back games proved no problem whatsoever for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s No. 2 ranked Lady Blue Devils Wednesday.
Coming off a 90-69 win over William Penn’s junior varsity Tuesday night, the Blue Devils cut their turnovers in half in a 99-42 win over Missouri Southern’s junior varsity in Joplin Wednesday night. It was the 13th straight win for KCKCC.
The win also boosted the Blue Devils’ record to 17-1 heading into their final two non-conference games, at North Central Missouri (12-5) Saturday at 2 p.m. in Trenton and at Park University junior varsity in Parkville Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Park game was scheduled for Friday but postponed by threatening weather.
“We’ll get North Central’s best shot,” warned KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry. “We only won by 12 at home and they’ll have a big crowd because their men are ranked No. 1 and play Johnson County after our game.”
The Blue Devils never trailed at Missouri Southern, bolting to their biggest first quarter of the season. Knocking down 4-of-8 3-pointers, KCKCC shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) to open a 35-10 lead. By game’s end, all 11 Blue Devils had scored and all but one had assists or rebounds.
Freshman Kamryn Estell, who was 9-of-12 from the field, led all scorers with 23 points along with eight rebounds and three steals while sophomore Caroline Hoppock continued her blistering offensive start, just missing a double-double for the second game in a row with 20 points and nine rebounds. Playing in only her third game, it was also her third straight game with five 3-pointers, the best 3-game stretch ever.
Tiaira Earnest added three treys, 15 points and eight rebounds while Brodi Byrd contributed nine points, five rebounds and a game high four assists; Aliyah Myers eight points, seven rebounds and three assists; and Destiny Zamudio and Jada Mayberry six points each. Mercer Roberts chipped in with six rebounds as KCKCC dominated the rebounding 53-33.
“I thought the girls came out with a lot of energy from the beginning and worked really hard, especially on the defensive end of the floor,” McKinstry said.
One of the bright spots was just 11 turnovers, about half the number of errors in the last two games.
“I really challenged them to stay disciplined and not let the score dictate their effort or execution and I felt like they did a great job of doing that,” McKinstry said.
“It was nice to see everyone in the scoring column and nearly everyone in rebounds and assists. We continue to share the basketball well and look for one another. This team is as good as any that I’ve had when it comes to sharing the ball.”
The Blue Devils had 17 assists and 11 steals in forcing 19 Missouri Southern turnovers that were converted into 27 points. In shooting, KCKCC was 37-of -76 for 48.7 percent while giving up just 15 field goals in 64 attempts (.234).