OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Survive and advance – the motto for basketball in March. The No. 1-ranked Johnson County Community College women' team rallied in the second half to pull out a 55-50 victory over Kansas City Kansas to capture the 2024 NJCAA Region 6 Championship, punching their ticket to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, March 18-23 at Legget & Platt Athletic Center on the campus of Missouri Southern State in Joplin, Mo.
This is the ninth time in 16 seasons under head coach Ben Conrad JCCC has qualified for the NJCAA D-II Tournament.
With the victory Johnson County extended their home court win streak to 71 straight and improve to 31-0 overall. This will be the first time in program history JCCC will enter a national tournament undefeated.
However, after two quarters the Lady Cavaliers found themselves in unfamiliar territory – they were behind for just second time in 31 games.
Kansas City Kansas built a four-point lead at the break, leading 22-18. Johnson Count made just 8-of-29 shots and went 0-for-7 from 3-point range through the first 20 minutes of play. Fortunately, JCCC held the Blue Devils to just 7-for-20 shooting, with a 3-pointer. KCKCC also hit 7-of-9 free throws.
Johnson County opened the third quarter with a 3-point basket by sophomore guard Saige Grampsas followed by a layup by freshman guard Taliyah Scott to give the Lady Cavaliers their first lead of the game with 8:49 left in the quarter.
With the teams tied at 31 at the 4:05 mark, Scott made another basket to put JCCC up and a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game.
Scott and sophomore forward Grace Lynch were JCCC's top scorers each finishing with 11 points. Scott also dished out six assists and Lynch pulled down five rebounds.
Sophomore guard Jazzy Klinge and freshman forward Amani Henry had monster games on the glass. Kling hauled in a career high 19 rebounds to go along with eight points and three steals. Henry also established a new career high with 14 boards. She also contributed nine points.
Freshman guard Ramyiah Logan finished with eight points and Grampsas added six to round JCCC's scoring.
Sophomore forward Jada Johnson led all scorers with 26 points followed by Kaylyn Rogers with 11.