by Alan Hoskins
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s young men’s basketball team took another step forward in its development Friday by avenging an earlier defeat with an 80-60 crushing of North Central College.
The win got revenge for a 79-76 Blue Devil loss at Trenton and improved KCKCC’s record to 8-6 heading into the holiday break.
“Our defense the first half was the best this season,” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton. “Holding them to 20.6 percent shooting (7-of-34) really was a big step in the right direction. It was also a nice way to go into the break heading into the conference season.”
Freshman Kellan Turner and sophomore Dehaven Talley teamed to lead the Blue Devils to a 30-20 halftime lead and the Pirates were never able to get closer than nine points the rest of the way. Turner had 11 points and Talley 8 in the first half on the way to career highs. Each had four three-pointers as Turner finished with 19 points and Talley 18.
Jonathan Murray added a near double double with 10 points and nine rebounds while Mike Lee chipped in with eight points, five rebounds and five assists, Xavier Gaona eight rebounds and six points and Joe Lendway seven rebounds and six points. Murray also led with a career high six assists and Turner and Devante Sayles had four each as the Blue Devils had assists on 21 of 29 field goals.
“A real good team effort,” Newton said.
The Blue Devils are now idle until Saturday, Jan. 2, when they play host to On Point Academy in the first of three home games to be played over a six-day span to start the new year. Penn Valley follows on Tuesday, Jan. 5, and Wentworth Military Academy on Thursday, Jan. 7.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.