Blue Devils seek Jayhawk Conference lead Wednesday
by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s hard-charging Blue Devils bulled their way into the thick of the Jayhawk Conference men’s basketball race Saturday.
Handing Highland its most decisive loss of the season 91-73, the Blue Devils set up a home showdown with No. 11 ranked Johnson County Wednesday for undisputed possession of the conference lead they share at 3-1.
The win was the fourth in the row for the Blue Devils (11-12) and ended a streak of six straight losses at the hand of the Scotties (15-7).
Spectacular offensive performances by Jalen Davis, Deron McDaniel and Calvin Slaughter were the catalysts in the win at Highland. The trio combined for 14 3-point field goals and 68 points on 25-of-41 shooting as the Blue Devils sizzled from the field with 53.8 percent overall including 15-of-30 from the perimeter.
“Hats off to our guys,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said. “A tremendous job and effort all around. To be able shoot better than 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point is amazing. We did a great job sharing the ball and our defensive effort the past three games has been phenomenal.”
Davis led all scorers with 29 points including 5-of-6 3-pointers in a 10-of-14 shooting effort; McDaniel knocked down 6-of-10 treys and handed out five assists in scoring 23 points; and Slaughter had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Jermaine Yarbough added eight points and Ezekiel Lopes seven. Led by Robert Rhodes’ 13 rebounds and Slaughter’s 11, the Blue Devils held their own on the boards (36-36).
Davis and Slaughter teamed up to put the Blue Devils in command by scoring 16 straight points early in the first half. Highland led 10-6 when Davis and Slaughter drained 3-pointers to put KCKCC ahead to stay 12-10 and over the next three minutes, each knocked down a trey and Slaughter a layup for a 20-10 lead. Lopes added a layup and two McDaniel 3-pointers finished off a 22-2 explosion that opened a 28-12 lead.
Davis finished the half with 21 points including all five of his 3-pointers; McDaniel added three treys and Slaughter two and each scored 10 points as KCKCC opened a 50-33 halftime lead.
Guilty of just two turnovers in the opening half (eight total), the Blue Devils were 18-of-35 (.514) and 10-of-21 from three (.476), Meanwhile, the Scotties were limited to 27-of-64 shots (.422) and just 5-of-15 from distance.
Highland twice got within six points in the second half. A McDaniel trey and Yarbough dunk stopped the first rally; a Slaughter 3-pointer and layup sandwiched around a Yarbough tip-in rejected the last challenge with five minutes remaining.
“We have had different guys step up each night and been shooting the ball exceptionally well, both keys to our wins,” Burgette said. “I told our guys to believe and they are trusting each other and believing. At the end of the year, we have to be at our best and we’re pushing along to being better every night.”
A 73-57 winner over Hesston Saturday, Johnson County will bring a 20-4 record into Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. game at KCKCC. The game will follow KCKCC’s Academic Achievement Night ceremonies following the 5:30 p.m. women’s game. In Saturday’s other game, Fort Scott defeated Labette 74-55.
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Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a taco sale from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The proceeds will benefit Christ the King parish. Christ the King School will hold its 17th annual auction, “A Night of Pure Imagination,” at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the George Meyn Community Center, Bonner Springs. Tickets, including a dinner, are $30 before Feb. 20.
Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, 1613 Wilson Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas, is planning a Chiefs Super Bowl party at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. This is open to everyone, and those attending should bring snacks to share.
The 59th annual Greater Kansas City Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the Grand Ballroom at the downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Convention Center. Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs punter, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $50 each. For more information, visit https://kccmpb.org/ or call 816-863-0992.
The Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a “Gospel Non-Violence Study Group” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. The group is facilitated by Peg Burns Kerbawy. “Scripture Study and Reflection,” facilitated by Heather Neds, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Keeler Center. Register for the programs at 913-689-9375 or register at www.keelerwomenscenter.org.
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at the New Story Church, 5500 Woodend Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Football Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 2.
Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic Church will hold its annual Mardi Gras Festival from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Blessed Sacrament Family Center, 2215 Parallel, Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets, which include a meal, are $12 to $16 in advance, or $15 to $19 at the door. A kids meal of grilled cheese and fries is $4. Bingo, a costume contest, a cake auction and table decorating contest are included, as well as free kids activities.
Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a worship service at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 2. Scouts will hold a chili supper from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at the church’s activity center.
A Super Sunday benefit dinner for the Sisters, Servants of Mary, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 94th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. The cost of the pasta, Italian sausage and meatballs dinner with sides is $10 per person, or $5 per youth 10 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door, with carryout available. Proceeds benefit the charitable nursing work of the Sisters, Servants of Mary.
Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will observe the fifth Sunday after Epiphany at 10 a.m. Feb. 9.
Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2. Sunday school will be at 9:45 a.m. Feb. 2, with the youth group meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Send Faith News items to news@wyandottedaily.com. Please include your contact information. If there is inclement weather, check with the sponsoring organization to see if the event will still be held. These events are listed by alphabetical order of the faith group.
A patient from the Lawrence, Kansas, area who was being tested for the novel 2019 coronavirus strain is not infected with the virus, according to an announcement Saturday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Negative results were received Saturday after testing was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are pleased that test results were negative and that the patient remains in good health. He had been released from LMH Health and was in a monitored, isolated living space following CDC guidelines,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE secretary, said in a news release. “He will now be able to resume his normal routine, and there is no risk to the public.”
KDHE continues to work with CDC and local partners to detect and respond to any possible cases that might occur in Kansas in the future. In this instance, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department played a key role in assisting the state, according to the KDHE.
“Local, state and federal public health partners plan, prepare and drill for these types of events,” Dr. Farah Ahmed, KDHE state epidemiologist, said. “Our health care and public health infrastructure works hard every day to protect the public from infectious and contagious diseases, and we learn from these responses so we can continue to improve.”
Coronavirus infections initially were diagnosed in Wuhan City, China, and have since been reported in travelers from this city to other locations in China and other countries including the United States. No cases have been confirmed in Kansas.
At this time of year, respiratory illnesses are most likely due to infection with influenza or other viruses that cause the common cold. It’s important to take precautions to be protected from these infections, including washing one’s hands, avoiding touching one’s face and getting an annual flu shot.
Persons who recently traveled to Hubei Province, China, and developed fever with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of their travel, or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 novel coronavirus, should stay home and call their health care provider, according to the KDHE. For additional information on the 2019 novel coronavirus, visit the website at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm. For more information about 2019 novel coronavirus, visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html.
