by Alan Hoskins
Finding more good players was at the top of coach Kelley Newton’s recruiting list for Kansas City Kansas Community College basketball program for 2014-2015. If the first two games of the new season are any indication, the Blue Devils are off to a good start.
Five Blue Devils – all but one freshmen – scored nine or more points Monday night in a 79-52 win over the University of Saint Mary junior varsity.
Armoni Shorter, a 6-7 transfer from Southern Community College, was 4-for-4 from 3-point while leading the way with 19 points and eight rebounds while Devin Downing of Shawnee Heights led all rebounders with 10 while adding 17 points.
Austin Hall of Aurora, Colo., chipped in with 10 points; Lansing’s Joe Lendway scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds; and the lone sophomore, Devin Ruis, a transfer from Manhattan Christian, scored nine including a pair of treys as the Blue Devils pulled away in the second half after leading 39-27 at the half.
“We played harder and longer than the first game,” Newton said. “We had some mental mistakes but they happen with a young team. Overall, it was good win. I was particularly happy we held them to 25 points the second half.”
The Blue Devils take to the road for the first time Saturday, playing Wentworth College at 3 p.m. in Lexington, Mo., then return home for the annual Keith Lindsay Classic Nov. 14-15. KCKCC will face On Point Academy on Friday and the St. Louis Archers on Saturday. Highland is the fourth team in the Classic.
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.