by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Brandon Burgette set the bar about as high as possible in his first year as men’s basketball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College, winning the Blue Devils’ first Jayhawk Conference championship in the 51-year history of the league and earning a berth in the canceled NJCAA national tournament.
Running off a record eight straight wins, the Blue Devils claimed the Jayhawk title with an 8-2 record and then dethroned defending champion Johnson County 75-68 to win the Region VI championship for only the second time over. After starting 2-8, the Blue Devils won 16 of their last 21 games.
Success, however, does not go unnoticed. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 1 in the conference pre-season poll.
“I think we have made some noise in the league on how we finished and the freshmen and transfers we’ve brought in to put a huge target on our back,” Burgette said. “Not being able to scrimmage or practice five on five has taken a toll on us this fall but one thing I do know, our guys are eager to play.”
The Blue Devils open on the road with games at North Central Wednesday, Jan. 20, and Central Nebraska Saturday before opening a four-game stand Jan. 25 against Link Year Prep, Park JV, William Penn JV and Southeast Nebraska.
The Blue Devils will not defend their league title unarmed, returning five lettermen including three starters and nearly half of last year’s scoring (48.2 percent).
Two All-Jayhawk second team selections, 6-7 forward Robert Rhodes and 6-0 guard Deron McDaniel, head the returnees. Rhodes was named Defensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in rebounds (9.3) and blocked shots (2.2) by a wide margin while averaging 8.6 points; McDaniel finished fifth in the conference in scoring (13.6) and led the Blue Devils in assists (3.3) and 3-pointers (68).
DeAngelo Bell, a 5-9 Harmon grad, returns at point guard where he averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 assists in 25 starts. Jermaine Yarbough, arguably the best sixth man in the conference, also returns. A 6-7 forward from Grandview. Yarbough averaged 10.2 points and was second in team rebounds (5.3). Sidelined by a torn ACL 11 games into the season, 6-2 shooting guard Cody Dortch was averaging 7.4 points when injured.
“Having our returners back is huge,” Burgette said. “Robert Rhodes is looking to add to his special freshman season by adding more weapons to his offensive abilities while Jermaine Yarbough can impact a game in so many ways with his athleticism and length. Deron can score in so many ways, has an itch for the ball in clutch moments and will be a force. DeAngelo Bell learned so much as a starter last year and brings quickness to getting to the lane and making plays. And Cody Dortch comes back as an elite shooter along with his leadership.”
To that group, Burgette has added size, quickness and experience. Caleb Jones, a 6-7 forward from Raytown South who took a redshirt season last year, buoys the Blue Devils inside game while former Piper standout 6-1 Trey Bates transferred from Neosho County where he averaged 9.6 points and 2.3 assists a game.
“Caleb can be a huge presence in the paint, protecting the rim and scoring around the rim with his soft touch,” Burgette said. “Trey Bates, who played quality minutes for DI Neosho, has a good feel and pace for the game to create shots for himself and others and get to the rim.”
Additional size will come from a trio of freshmen – 6-8 Donn’yae Ferguson of Olathe North, 6-6 Bryce Johnson of Lawrence and 6-5 Shayon Janloo of Oklahoma City.
“A diverse group,” Burgette said. “A lefty, Johnson is a dynamic forward who can play multiple positions with his ability to get to the rim and his toughness to attack and rebound. Donyae will make an impact on playing hard around the rim and scoring with his back to the basket while Shayon’s shot-making has been special this fall. He can be one of the tops in the league in making shots beyond the arc.”
Thanks to a trio of 6-foot freshmen, the back court shapes up as a strength with the arrival of Zach Nelson of Shawnee Mission North, Ezekiel Lyons of Parsons and Conner Younger of Basehor-Linwood.
“As a freshman, Zach has been phenomenal at playmaking and his ability to get players involved in every aspect,” Burgette said. “Ezekiel has the ability to make open shots and get hot behind the arc; Conner is a lefthander who can shoot with the best of them.”
Despite the setbacks created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Burgette is enthused.
“I like what I see,” he said. “We are much bigger in size and very deep compared to last year so our rotation will be heavier in getting guys in and out and playing faster. We have multiple point guards who are all different in their dynamics in scoring and play-making abilities; I think our wings are much better and can make shots and we’ve added some toughness and size with our forwards.”
While the schedule was shortened from 30 games to 22 by the pandemic, Burgette is nevertheless optimistic the Blue Devils will be ready for the defense of their Jayhawk championship.
“Our schedule was tough until the pandemic hit and we had to adjust but I feel we have a good enough schedule to prepare us for what’s ahead,” Burgette said. “I like this team, balanced from top to bottom with the ability to go deep into our bench and compete with anyone.”
As defending champ, Burgette expects to get the best shot from every team.
“This conference is up for grabs every year. Everyone had new recruits. Highland and Labette have good returners. Johnson County has a new coach. We have an interesting year ahead of us.”
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators will not be allowed at Kansas City Kansas Community College athletic events this spring.
However, fans will be able to watch Blue Devil teams in action from their living rooms from the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference website at https://www.kjccc.org or the KCKCC website at www.kckcc.edu.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
2021 Men’s Basketball Schedule
Wed., Jan 20 North Central Missouri, Away 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 23 Central Nebraska, Away 3 p.m.
Mon. Jan. 25 Link Year Prep, Home 7 p.m.
Thur., Jan. 28 Park University JV, Home 8 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 29 William Penn JV, Away 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 3 Southeast Nebraska, Home 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 5 John Wood, Away 6 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 9 Metropolitan CC, Home 7:30 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 11 Southeast Nebraska, Away 7 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 15 Park University JV, Away 7 p.m.
Thur., Feb 18 Metropolitan CC, Away 5:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 23 North Central Missouri, Home 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 27* Johnson County, Away 4 p.m.
Wed., March 3 Hesston College, Home 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 6 Highland,* Home 4 p.m.
Wed., March 10 Labette,* Away 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 13 Fort Scott,* Away 4 p.m.
Wed., March 17 Johnson County,* Home 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 20 Hesston College,* Away 4 p.m.
Wed., March 24 Highland,* Away 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 27 Labette,* Home 4 p.m.
Wed., March 31 Fort Scott,* Home 7:30 p.m.
• Jayhawk Conference game