OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Six Johnson County players scored in double figures, including all five starters, as the Cavaliers cruised to a 95-85 victory over Hesston in the first round of the Region 6 playoffs Monday night at JCCC Gymnasium.
The game was never in doubt after the first five minutes of the second half. Johnson County built its lead from seven points at the break to 20 at the 14:33 mark, and led by 16 with just over two minutes to play. The Larks outscored the Cavaliers to close out the game to make the final margin 10 points.
Freshman guard Tymer Jackson returned to the lineup to lead all player with 27 points. He hit 11-of-22 shots, with three 3-pointers. He also was the top rebounder with eight.
Sophomore lefty Bing Huang came in off the bench to produce one of his best efforts of the season, finishing with 18 points. He was 6-of-7 from field, 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and made all three free throw attempts. He also grabbed five boards.
Freshman guard Desi Williams, this week's D-II Conference Player of the Week, finished with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Freshman guard Korey Jones hit all three of his 3-point attempts and 4-of-5 shots overall for 11 points, and forwards Jaland Whitehead and Xavier Kahube each chipped in 10 points.
As a team the Cavaliers shot 52 percent from 3-point range hitting 11-of-21 shots and hit 51 percent of their shots overall.
Kwa'en Harding led Hesston with 20 points, followed by Landon Gray with 18.
Johnson County (27-3) will host Kansas City Kansas (21-9) on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Devils earned their spot in the semifinals with a 89-69 victory over Fort Scott in the first round. KCKCC handed JCCC its first loss of the season back on February 5, 77-65. The Cavaliers hit a shot at the buzzer nine days later to edge the Devils 63-61.
The winner will advance to the championship game against the winner of Neosho County/Allen on March 5 at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina, Kan.
Wednesday's game can be heard on 1660 The Bet on the Audacy App.