by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College didn’t rewrite the record book in winning the NJCAA DII national championship but the Blue Devils sure wreaked havoc with it.
Seven Blue Devils wrote their names into all-time Top 10 statistical categories headed by record breakers Kisi Young and Camryn Swanson.
Young shot a torrid 63.9 percent from the field after shooting 60.7 percent as a freshman while Swanson knocked down the most 3-point field goals ever (87) and tied the all-time career record 3-point record with 128.
A third all-time best was tied by redshirt freshman Caroline Hoppock, who had eight 3-pointers and set a new standard for accuracy, making 8-of-11.
Nija Collier, the Most Valuable Player in the Jayhawk Conference and the national tournament, wrote her name into 14 scoring, rebounding and shooting categories.
Lillie Moore climbed into the Top 10 in nine categories and Young five. Both joined Collier as All-Jayhawk, All-Region and All-National Tournament selections.
As a team, the Blue Devils finished in the Top 10 in 10 categories including second in total points (3208), third in scoring average (89.1), 3-point goals (9.3) and 3-point attempts (27), fourth in field goals per game (31.9) and free throws a game (16,0); fifth in offensive rebounds (32.2) and assists (18.7); eighth in field goal percentage (46.8); and ninth in rebound margin (13.9).
The 3208 field goals, 89.1 scoring average, 336 3-point goals and 1737 rebounds are all-time KCKCC bests as are the 20 3-point goals scored against Hesston. The individual highlights:
Sophomores
Kisi Young – Second on the list of the most accurate shooter in history (60.7) as a freshman, Young moved up to No. 1 this year at 63.9 percent. Second in rebounding (8.7) and fourth in scoring (10.6) this season, Young leaves as the sixth career rebound leader (571), ninth in career field goals (359) and 10th in career scoring (842).
Camryn Swanson – Her 87 3-point goals in one season are an all-time best and she tied Sierra Robert for threes in a career (128). Her seven threes in a single game are also the second most, Averaging 8.6 points a game, Swanson had 11 games with four or more treys.
Nija Collier – Sixth on the all-time single season scoring list (622), she finished seventh on the career point list (938), eighth in scoring average (17.3) and eighth in career average (14.4). The team leader in rebounds (9.7), Collier finished fourth in career rebounds (607) and eighth for one season (293). In addition, she departs fourth in single season free throws (144), sixth in career free throws (216)), fifth in field goal percentage for one season (58.5) and in 3-point percentage (.400); sixth in career blocked shots (96) and 10th in field goals in one season (217) and career (359).
Lillie Moore – Second in team scoring (14.7) and third in rebounding (8.1), Moore finished second in career free throws (242) and fifth in a season (136). Sixth in career scoring (938 ) and 10th in career scoring average (14.1), she’s No, 12 in scoring for one season (528) and in field goal percentage (53.0) and No. 9 in career rebounds (537).
Caitlyn Stewart – A two-time team leader in assists, Stewart finished ninth on the all-time assist list (239). Second in the Jayhawk in assists (3.2), she averaged 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Lexy Watts – A transfer from Neosho County playing her first season, Watts stepped in and finished third in the conference in assists (3.0) while averaging 4.8 points in a valuable backup role.
Lizzie Stark – Playing in all 32 games as a freshman, she averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds and vaulted to No. 12 on the free throw accuracy list (77.8) only to suffer a pre-season injury which limited her to 11 games this season.
Freshmen
Lenaejha Evans – Finished third in scoring (11.2) and second in total assists (106) while averaging 4.3 rebounds and shooting 49.0 percent from the field. Started 32 of 36 games and was named to All-Jayhawk third team.
Brodi Byrd – Her 76 3-point goals are the fourth most in history and ninth on the career list. No. 11 in 3-point shooting percentage (.345), Byrd averaged 8.9 points and 3.0 rebounds while making 32 starts.
Caroline Hoppock – Tied the KCKCC record with eight 3-pointers against Fort Scott and established record for accuracy at .727 by making 8-of-11. Her 59 3-point goals are No. 7 on the all-time list. A redshirt freshman after suffering season-end injury last year, Hoppock averaged 7.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists
Carson Chandler – Joined team for second semester, playing in 14 games. Made 6 of 13 3-point attempts for 46.2 percent.