by Alan Hoskins
Two members of Shawnee Heights state tournament basketball team have signed to continue their basketball careers at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Tevin Downing, a 6-3 wing guard, and Braeson Sester, a 6-2 combo guard, are the fifth and sixth in-state signees with KCKCC coach Kelley Newton.
Downing averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists and Sester 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3 assists a game on a 16-6 Shawnee Heights’ team that won 10 in a row before losing in the state semifinals to Highland Park.
“Both Tevin and Braeson were vital to our success,” said coach Sam Stroh. “Braeson was second on our team in rebounding and Tevin did a great job of buying into the team and the coaching staff. Both players will have a bright future if they put in the time and commitment in the off season.”
Sester said being teamed again with Downing was just one of several reasons for choosing KCKCC.
“I felt comfortable,” Sester said. “I think the program is in good hands and running in the right direction. And the location is good for sure.”
“I felt like they’re pieces that we needed,” Newton said. “Tevin is a long athletic defender, a good one-on-one player; very versatile and a great kid on and off the floor. Braeson is a very good shooter. Very coachable, he’s a combo guard who can defend and handle the ball. I’m real excited about both of them and their abilities as players and good persons.”
Previous in-state signees include forward-center Joe Lendway and guard Zach Jackson from Lansing’s undefeated state championship team; C.J. Harper, forward from Piper; and guard Dehven Talley from Shawnee Mission Northwest;
