OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Hall of Fame career of Johnson County head coach Mike Jeffers came to a close Friday night, as his Cavaliers fell to cross-town rival Kansas City Kansas 75-68 in the Region VI Championship at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan.
Jeffers, who announced prior to the start of the season he would retire at the end of the campaign, finishes his career with mark of 499-390 over 29 seasons at the college. His overall head coach mark is 583-433 over 33 years.
Johnson County (25-7) led by three at the break and built their lead to as high as 13 after JCCC's leading scorer and conference MVP JaQuaylon Mays drained three free throws to give the Cavaliers a 62-59 lead with 8:12 to play.
After that it was all Kansas City Kansas. The Blue Devils would outscore Johnson County 25-to-6 in the final eight minutes, four by Mays on two free throws and a layup. He would finish with 14, hitting just 4-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-5 from 3-point range. He was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line.
KCKCC was also able to hold the Cavaliers second leading scorer Lukas Milner in check. The 6-10 center who had 33 points in a 98-93 win over the Blue Devils a week ago, was limited to just six points on 3-of-3 shooting. Milner also grabbed eight rebounds to lead JCCC.
Sophomore guard forward Isiah Sears was the Cavaliers leading scorer with 17 points. He hit 6-of-14 shots, including four treys, and a free throw.
Kylan Thomas followed with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting with two free throws. He also grabbed six boards.
Freshman guard Dale Talley III seven points, six rebounds and five assists, and sophomore guard Nic Slavin added six points.
KCKCC was led by sophomore Calvin Slaughter's career-high 25 points. He hit 6-of-8 shots, with three 3-pointers, and was 10-of-10 at the line. He scored seven points during KCKCC comeback run.
The Blue Devils move on to the NJCAA D-II Tournament in Danville, Ill. This is just the second time KCKCC has earned a berth to the national tournament. They last qualified in 2016, finishing 0-2 in tournament play.
Kansas City Kansas is coached by Brandon Burgette, who served as Jeffers assistant from 2016-19.