by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Just two games into the 2017-2018 season and Kansas City Kansas Community College’s very young women’s basketball team has already started an assault on the record book.
Kisi Young, a 5-9 freshman guard from Magnolia, Ark., scored 29 points in an opening 75-69 win over North Central Missouri in Trenton Wednesday night, the most points ever scored by a Lady Blue Devil in a first game.
And 24 hours later, the Lady Blue Devils knocked down a record 17 3-point goals in a 108-33 cruise past Graceland University’s JV in the home opener.
“Graceland did a good job of making things difficult for our bigs but after a stale start, our zone offense really clicked and we began to fire on all cylinders,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “I knew Graceland had scouted us Wednesday when we rebounded well and I knew they would pack it in (defensively). So we just shot a lot of threes.”
KCKCC is home again Monday, hosting Saint Mary’s junior varsity at 5 p.m. followed by a Blue Devil men’s game against Park University’s junior varsity at 7 p.m.
Eight Blue Devils had 3-point field goals against Graceland. Sophomore Ally Lollis and freshman Camryn Swanson led with three each. Alix Wilson, Ashley Daniels, Caroline Hoppock, Tyrionne Martin and Miya Ford added two apiece as they combined for 17 3-pointers in 41 attempts for 41.5 percent.
KCKCC led 57-13 at halftime behind 55.6 percent shooting and finished with 48.8 percent.
Nine Lady Blue Devils had eight or more points with Hoppock, a freshman from Olathe East, leading the way with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Ford and Swanson added 13 points, Daniels 12, Lollis 10, Young and Nija Collier 9 and Martin 8.
Collier, a 6-0 freshman from Detroit, had a big night on the boards, leading all rebounders with 14, her second double digit night in two games.
Lillie Moore and Young added nine each as KCKCC controlled the rebounding 62-30. Caitlyn Stewart, a 5-5 freshman from Wichita Maize South, led in assists with six as the Blue Devils had 29 assists on 39 field goals.
“This team has the capability to make shots when given the opportunity and I was very pleased with our assist numbers; it really speaks well to the unselfishness of this group,” McKinstry said. “They all contributed and were very excited for another. It was fun to watch.”
The Blue Devils had to come from behind in the 75-69 win at North Central. Trailing 51-49 entering the final quarter, KCKCC pulled away with a 24-16 fourth quarter finish.
The Blue Devils were led by a pair of freshmen from Magnolia, Ark. Kisi Young added 11 rebounds to her 29 points (12-of-20 shooting) while 6-1 forward Lillie Moore had 16 points and eight rebounds.
Alix Wilson was the only other Blue Devil in double figures with 10 points on 3-of-5 3-pointers while Collier led all rebounders with 12.
“A great win for us to start the season,” McKinstry said. “We had chances to give in and we showed a lot of fight so I was very proud of that. North Central returns two outstanding players and is well coached. Kisi Young took over in the second half and would not let us lose and Lillie Moore and Nija Collier were great on the boards. Caitlyn Stewart played all 40 minutes and held North Central’s leading scorer (Kendey Eaton) to 13 points on 5-of-21 shooting.” Sarah Lamp led the Lady Pirates with 24 and 11 rebounds.
