by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
With another game coming up Friday, Kansas City Kansas Community College coach Joe McKinstry went to his bench early and often in a 110-55 rout of Park University junior varsity Thursday.
The win was the third in a row for the unbeaten Blue Devils, who resume action Friday against William Penn’s junior varsity at 5:30 p.m. in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The KCKCC men also play at 7:30 p.m. and both games will be streamed by William Penn.
McKinstry played 12 Blue Devils, 11 scored and 10 played 10 or more minutes, not so much for the rest but the experience for his young squad.
“I think we have good depth and I want everyone who plays to do everything expected of them,” McKinstry said. “I’m not big on the scoreboard. Regardless of what the scoreboard says or the quality of the team we’re playing, I want our players playing hard and smart. I don’t want anyone playing on their own agenda and with our balanced scoring I think we did a good job of that. Games like this give us an opportunity to work hard and get better.”
The Blue Devils had just too much size, quickness and athleticism against Park, regularly beating the Pirates down the floor for an avalanche of layups. Knocking down 12-of-20 first quarter shots (.600), the Blue Devils surged to a 27-9 first quarter lead and led 56-21 at halftime thanks to a 40-foot buzzer beater by sophomore Aliyah Myers.
KCKCC was led by freshman Hannah Valentine and sophomores Jada Mayberry and Myers. Valentine had her first career double with game highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds; Mayberry had a career-high nine assists, seven rebounds and 15 points; and Myers stood out both offensively and defensively. Scoring 18 points and handing out six assists offensively, she led defensively with five steals along with five defensive rebounds and a blocked shot.
Three other Blue Devils were in double figures and a fourth narrowly missed. Freshmen Ikla Elam had 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting; Faith Putz scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds; and De’Jaria Guillroy scored 10 points while sophomore Mercer Roberts had eight points and seven rebounds.
Scoring at least 27 points in every quarter, the Blue Devils were 49-of-93 from the field for 52.7 percent although just 7-of-27 from 3-point (.259). They also controlled the rebounding 61-26 and forced 22 turnovers while committing 14.
