by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College broke open a nip-and-tuck game in the second half for a much-needed 76-62 regional win over Hesston Wednesday.
The win broke a tie with Hesston (3-3) for third place in Region VI and kept the Blue Devils (4-2) just a game back of once-beaten Fort Scott and Johnson County, both of whom are 5-1.
With Highland coming in to the KCKCC Field House Saturday at 4 p.m. and a road game at Johnson County next Wednesday, every regional win is vital because the first two finishers in the region will receive first round byes and home court semifinal round advantage in the Region VI playoffs.
KCKCC and Hesston were tied three times and the lead changed hands six times before baskets by Donald Metoyer and Joe Lendway and a 3-pointer by Mike Lee expanded a 30-28 lead to 37-30 at the half. The Larks got back to 37-33 but a 3-pointer by Kellan Turner, a Lendway layup and two Lee free throws rebuilt the lead to 44-33 and the Blue Devils were never headed, Closest Hesston could get was 52-46 with nine minutes left but a basket by Lendway and a 3-pointer by Armoni Shorter choked off any hopes of a Lark comeback.
“Definitely much-needed, that’s for sure,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said. “It helped get that nasty taste out of our mouth after the loss to Fort Scott Saturday.”
Newton was particularly pleased with the Blue Devil defense that limited Hesston to 34.9 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers.
“The defense was better,” he said. “Collectively as a team we limited their touches in the paint and did a good job of getting out on their shooters and making it tough. If we’re going to have success, we’re going to have to play good defense.”
Five players in double figures accounted for all but six KCKCC points. Mike Lee led the way with a double double of 12 points and a career high 13 assists, which tied him for sixth on the all-time KCKCC assist record. Armoni Shorter also had a career best 14 points including four 3-pointers while Kellan Turner was a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point in a 16-point effort.
Joe Lendway also had 16 points and Jonathan Murray 12 and shared the rebounding lead with eight each while Lee added seven to his double double.