OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County women's basketball team completed an undefeated regular season by beating Labette Community College on Wednesday night, 64-58. The is the second time head coach Ben Conrad and his program have posted a perfect regular season. The last time was in 2015-16, a year after winning a national championship.
The victory also secured without a doubt the program's sixth Kansas Jayhawk Conference championship in the last 10 years, all under Conrad's direction.
While the Lady Cavaliers kept their unbeaten string at 18 straight, their streak of 46 straight victories defeating teams by 10 or more points came to an end. Ironically, the last time JCCC did not win by double digits was against this Cardinals program on February 16, 2019, 71-65.
Johnson County chance at a perfect season did seem in jeopardy early the fourth quarter. With Labette holding a 58-52 lead, the Cardinals wen cold and were held scoreless down the final stretch as the Lady Cavaliers finished the game on a 12-0 to remain perfect on the season.
"I think at that point either we make a run or that game doesn't work out for us." Conrad said. "Sometimes it's about who makes the last run in a game like that. I thought we really
blocked out well most of the game, and particularly with those late stops we got. This is a team with great character. They believe in each other and are about care about each other. Really a special group."
Freshman center Nyayien Koang provided a career-high 14 points off bench for JCCC, bettering her previous season high of six points against Hesston last week. She was 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-5 at the free throw line she also matched her season high with seven rebounds.
Sophomore guard Jaylen Townsend, last week's conference player of the week, followed with 12 points, and sophomore guard Gabby Fuller posted her team-leading fourth double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Conrad also got solid production from point guard D'Asya Collier-Williams (4 points, 5 assists), forward LaJahda Boyland (6 point, 9 rebounds), guard Marissa Ritchey (7 points) and guard Kierra Prim (6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block).
Labette had three players finish in double figures, led by Nia Jordan with 16. Tamiah Robinson followed with 11, and Ariah Powell added 10.
Up next for the Lady Cavaliers is the Region VI Division II playoffs. As the No. 1 seed, JCCC will receive a bye for the first round, then face the winner of Fort Scott and Highland on Wednesday, April 7th at 5:30 p.m.