OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Coaching in his final home game at Johnson County, head coach Mike Jeffers 29-year career isn't quite over yet. The Hall of Fame coach, who announced he would retire at the end of the season, saw his Cavaliers hold off a late rally by Highland for a 73-68 victory in the semifinals of the Region VI D-II Tournament Tuesday night.
The victory, which was Jeffers 399th with the program, advances the Cavaliers (25-6) to the Championship Game against cross-town rival Kansas City Kansas (17-13) on Friday, March 6 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan. KCKCC defeated Labette 100-79 in the other semifinal game. The two teams split the season series, each winning on their home floor.
Johnson County built an eight-point halftime lead, and led by as many as 15 during the second half, saw the Scotties pull within four with just over a minute to play in regulation. With about four minutes remaining, Highland head coach Jerre Cole had his team apply full-court pressure following made baskets, and that tactic forced several Johnson County turnovers and easy baskets for the Scotties.
However, down the stretch in the final minute, the Cavaliers managed to knock down their free throw attempts, hold on for the win and secure a shot for JCCC's sixth berth to the NJCAA D-II Tournament in Danville, Ill. Johnson County was the national champion in 2001 and 2009, and finished runner-up last year.
League MVP JaQuaylon Mays led Johnson County with 17 points. He was 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-6 at the free throw line. He also had nine assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Sophomore starting guard Macaleb Hughes registered an impressive line with 11 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals.
Sophomore guard Nic Slaven added 11 points off the bench. He was 4-of-9 shooting with a 3-pointer, and 2-of-4 at the line.
Sophomore center Lukas Milner, who leads the country in field goal accuracy at 71.0 percent, added nine points and six rebounds.
Other key performances were turned in by sophomore guard Kylan Thomas (8 points, 3 rebounds), freshman guard Dale Talley III (7 points, 2 assists, 2 steals), sophomore forward Isiah Sears (6 points, 2 rebounds) and freshman guard Braijion Barnes (4 points, 4 rebounds).
Freshman guard Marquise Milton led the Scotties with a game-high 22 points. Rashon Johnson and Jaron Flowers followed with 17 and 16 points respectively. Highland ends the season with a 20-11 record.