by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
If Thursday’s 121-66 win over Graceland University’s junior varsity is any indication, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s women may have more firepower than ever.
Eight Lady Blue Devils saw extensive action and all eight scored at least nine points in a 121-point outburst that matched the second most points ever scored by a KCKCC women’s team.
The Blue Devils are right back in action Sunday against William Penn junior varsity at 1 p.m. in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they are back home against Washburn’s junior varsity Monday at 6 p.m.
Despite the return of seven solid veterans, a trio of newcomers were in the starting lineup and all shined in their KCKCC debuts.
Lenaejha Evans, a 5-9 freshman guard from Conroy, South Carolina, led with 23 points and seven assists (both game highs) along with five rebounds and four steals; Brodi Byrd, a 5-6 freshman from Truman, added 17 points including a trio of 3-pointers; and Lexy Watts, a 5-6 sophomore transfer out of Olathe North, quarterbacked the offense with nine points, four assists and no turnovers,
Two veterans registered double-doubles – Lillie Moore with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and five assists; and Nija Collier with 14 points and 10 rebounds – while Kisi Young just missed with 18 points and nine rebounds. Caroline Hoppock and Camryn Swanson each had three 3-pointers and 13 and 11 points.
“One of the pleasures of this team is its depth – everyone can contribute,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “We dressed nine players and seven or eight of them are worthy of starting. We obviously had a lot of good individual performances. Lillie Moore and Lenaejha Evans had great lines while Nija Collier and Kisi Young picked up right where they left off. We did not shoot the ball from 3-point the way we’re capable but all in all it was a great way to start the season.”
Jumping in front 29-11 after one quarter, the Blue Devils shot 50 percent or better in each quarter, finishing with 48-of-73 shots for 57.8 percent despite just 11-of-34 3-pointers (32.4 percent).
Evans was 10-of-15, Young 8-of-12, Collier 7-of-10 and Moore 6-of-7 to lead the way. The two freshmen guards, Evans and Byrd, each had 14 points in leading KCKCC to a 61-27 halftime lead.
KCKCC dominated the rebounding 48-26 and forced 23 Graceland turnovers while committing just a dozen – a remarkably low total for a season opener played at a furious pace.
The all-time KCKCC record of 128 points in a game came in 2015 against Brown Mackie. Thursday’s 121 points matched the second most also scored in 2015 and also against Brown Mackie.
“When we do the things we work on every day in practice, we can really be a fun team to watch,” McKinstry said.