OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 18-ranked Johnson County men's basketball team put the finishing touches on its 2023-34 regular season by downing Neosho County 76-67 on Wednesday night at JCCC Gymnasium.
With the victory the Cavaliers improve to 25-5 overall and to 11-3 in conference play, good for second place in the standings one game back of Kansas City Kansas. Neosho County falls to 16-13 overall and finish in the fifth position in the conference standings with a record of 7-7.
The Cavaliers will now turn their attention to the Region 6 Division II Tournament. They will host No. 7 seed Labette on Monday, March 4 at JCCC Gymnasium. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Friday, March 8 at JCCC Gymnasium.
Massi Malterer was again the leader for the Cavaliers. The sophomore guard from Madison, Wisconsin finished in double figures for the 24th time this season, pouring in 25 on 11-of-18 shooting. This was the eight time this season he scored 20 or more points.
Sophomore forward Kyler Mann and freshman forward Brandon Mann also posted double digits with 13 and 10 respectively. Kyler also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Other key performances were turned by sophomore guard Jordan Nichols (9 points, 4 rebounds); sophomore forward Traymond Willis-Shaw (6 points, 3 rebounds); sophomore forward Elijah Cole (5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists); sophomore guard Drake Davison (4 points, 3 rebounds) and freshman forward Donald Bangham, Jr. (4 points)
Tane Kirisome paced Neosho Count with 21 points followed by Peter Obeng with 12 and Micheal Doria with 11.