By ALAN HOSKINS
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Kansas City Kansas Community College’s promising young freshmen got their first test of collegiate basketball play Saturday and responded with a 90-84 win over Livin’ The Dream.
“This was a good win for our young basketball team, especially against a Livin’ The Dream team made up of former college and professional players who know how to play,” said KCKCC Coach Kelley Newton.
The Blue Devils are right back in action Monday when they host Saint Mary JV at 7 p.m. while the KCKCC women open their season Tuesday, hosting Missouri Valley JV at 8 p.m. immediately after the KCKCC-Longview volleyball game which starts at 6 p.m.
The Blue Devils built a 52-32 halftime lead Saturday and then had to hold on as former Wyandotte, Coffeyville Community College and Illinois State star Boo Richardson scored all of his 20 points and handed out eight assists in leading a 52-point second half Dream comeback.
Former KCKCC standout Kyle Sloan added 15 points for Livin’ the Dream, which closed to within seven points in the second half with less than three minutes remaining.
“When they made those big runs, I thought we stayed composed and were able to hold them off,” said Newton.
Deadly shooting carried the Blue Devils, who were 32 of 63 for the game for 50.8 percent to offset 16 turnovers.
The Blue Devils were particularly effective from 3-point range, knocking down 11 of 22. Shawnee Heights freshman Tevin Downing led the way with 4-of-5 3-pointers on the way to a game high 25 points.
Lansing’s Joe Lendway, who was 7-of-9 from the field, added 15 points and seven rebounds; 6-6 Armoni Shorter 13 points including 3-of-3 treys; and Shawnee Heights’ Braeson Sester 10 points and four assists.
Austin Hall, a 6-5 frosh from Aurora, Colo., led all rebounders with 12 and scored eight points while Devin Ruis, the lone sophomore who played, had seven rebounds and six points.
