by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s women took a big step in wrapping up a first round playoff bye Monday with an 88-53 win at Hesston.
The win coupled with Highland’s 51-36 loss at home to No. 1 Johnson County put the No. 11 Lady Blue Devils in position to host No. 4 Highland in the Region VI Division II semifinal playoffs next Tuesday at 7 p.m. However, the Blue Devils must win their Jayhawk Conference final at Fort Scott Wednesday night. A win would deadlock KCKCC and Highland for second place in the region, both at 9-3, but the Blue Devils would draw the higher seed based on strength of schedule.
Playing their third game in six days, the Blue Devils (26-3) had to overcome a sub-par shooting performance at Hesston. Just 6-of-29 for a chilly 20.7 percent in the second quarter, KCKCC led only 38-25 at halftime – thanks in no small part to a defense that limited Hesston to 29.6 percent for the half and 24.6 percent for the game.
“We struggled to shoot the ball well but did a much better job at getting good shots and completing plays after halftime,” said KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry. “On a night like tonight, you have to do other things when the ball doesn’t go in. I thought our defense and our rebounding really allowed us to get some easy baskets and loosen things up for us.”
Giving up just four offensive rebounds, KCKCC dominated the rebounding 56-30. The Blue Devils also forced 20 turnovers while committing just 10.
Six Blue Devils scored in double figures including all five starters. Cheyenne North led the way with 20 points and 13 rebounds, her sixth double double of the season. North also blocked five shots. Erin Anderson and Booklyn Wagler just missed double doubles. Wagler had 13 points and nine rebounds; Anderson 10 points and eight rebounds.
Arrica Daye added 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in directing the Blue Devil attack while Sierra Roberts scored 11 points and Brie Tauai 10. Despite better second half shooting, KCKCC still finished at just 33.3 percent.
“We knew this would be a good test after a quick turnaround from Saturday’s game,” McKinstry said. “And we still have one more game in a tough four-game stretch in eight days. Any win on the road in conference and region play is a good win and this late in the season, all wins are very much a team effort and this was the case tonight.”
Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.