OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 18-ranked Johnson County men's basketball team  (27-5) got a big boost from its bench in its 66-55 victory over Highland (19-13) in the semifinals of the Region 6 Tournament at JCCC Gymnasium Friday night.  The Cavaliers will face Fort Scott (22-10), who upset No. 1 seed Kansas City Kansas in the other semifinal matchup, in the championship game Saturday at 4 p.m.

The contributions from freshman forward Donald Bangham, Jr., freshman forward Traeger Rader and sophomore guard Traymond Willis-Shaw contributed to the winning effort. 

Bangham scored a game-high 15 points and was extremely clutch in the final minute and 40 second making 6-of-6 free throws to help pull away from the Scottie and secure a spot in the championship game. For the game he hit 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed eight rebounds.

Rader, who was averaging just 3.1 points per game, finished with 12 points. He connected on 4-of-6 shot attempts, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and two free throws. He also brought down four boards.

Shaw contributed six points, two rebounds and two blocked shots.

Sophomore forward Kyler Mann was the Cavaliers only starter to post double digits in points, finishing with 12 to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds. He also led the team with four assists and two steals. 

Sophomore guard Jordan Nichols provided nine points and sophomore guard Massi Malterer, the team's leading scorer, finished with eight.

Highland was led by forward Chris Flippin with 17, followed by Bubba Leavell with 12.