by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Back in action for the first time in four weeks and playing at home for the first five weeks had no real adverse effect on Kansas City Kansas Community College’s women’s basketball team Monday night.
Never headed, the Lady Blue Devils jumped out to a 9-2 lead and cruised to an 89-47 win over Ottawa University’s junior varsity in a game highlighted by 12 blocked shots, tying the all-time college record that has stood since 1994.
The win boosted the Blue Devils’ record to 14-4 heading into two more non-conference games in the next three days – at Saint Mary junior varsity Tuesday and Penn Valley junior varsity Thursday. Both have 7 p.m. tipoffs.
A trio of freshmen forwards combined for 54 points to lead KCKCC. Kisi Young led all scorers and rebounders with 20 points and 12 boards for her ninth double-double of the season. Lillie Moore just missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds as did Lizzie Stark, who had career highs of 17 points and eight rebounds in her best performance of the season.
Moore led the record-tying block party with five, Young had three and Stark, Alix Wilson, Camryn Swanson and Miya Ford one each.
“I thought Lillie Moore really tried to assert herself and I liked how aggressive she was,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “Kisi Young did what she’s done all year. And I was very pleased with Lizzie Stark’s effort and energy. She gave us a great spark off the bench.”
Down to 10 healthy players, all but starting guard Caitlyn Stewart scored and she led in assists with six while taking just two shots. Ashley Daniels chipped in with nine points, Myra Ford eight and Alix Wilson and Camryn Swanson six each.
KCKCC surged to a 31-16 first quarter lead by hitting 11-of-17 shots for 64.7 percent and then did it again in a 25-7 third quarter. For the game, the Blue Devils were 35-of-69 for 50.7 percent including nine 3-pointers – two each by Wilson, Ford and Swanson and one apiece by Stark, Gena Ojeda and Randi Johnson.
“It felt good to shake off some cob webs after more than a month off,” McKinstry said. “We still look a little rusty but I thought our girls gave good effort for the most part.”