Two Cavaliers earn All-Conference honors
Johnson County Community College |
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| Nafis Ricks |
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| Kyle Speed |
The pair helped JCCC to a 21-12 record, a No. 14 ranking in the final NJCAA Division II poll, a Region VI title and a runner-up finish in the District 10 Championship. The team’s 21 victories are the most since 2001-02, and tie the second-best season total in the 17-year tenure of head coach Mike Jeffers.
Ricks led the team in scoring (15.4), rebounding (7.4) and steals (87). His 87 steals tie the fifth-best season in school history. Ricks led JCCC in scoring in 16 games, was the top rebounder 18 times and game leader in assists six times. He scored in double figures in 27 games, and had six double doubles of points and rebounds. Twice Ricks was selected the NJCAA D-II Player of the Week. His first honor came the week of Nov. 28. The freshman guard led JCCC to a pair of victories over Cloud County Community College and Hutchinson Community College at the Hutchinson Thanksgiving Classic last weekend. Ricks scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds with three assists and two steals in a 60-54 win over Cloud County. He then netted 14 points with eight rebounds and five assists in a 80-68 win over Hutchinson. Ricks’ second honor came the week of Feb. 6 when he averaged 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in JCCC two games that week. He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in leading the Cavaliers to a 75-61 road victory over Highland. He followed with a career-high 31 points, along with 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a near upset of Division I nationally ranked Independence.
Speed was second in scoring (12.9) and steals (81), and led the team with 147 assists, an average of 4.5 per game. Speed’s 81 steals rank him tied for 11th on the season chart. Speed scored in double figures 20 times this season, including a career high 31 in a win over Allen County. Speed was JCCC leading scorer seven times, and top rebounder twice. He was the Cavalier game leader in assists a team high 23 times. Speed was selected a KJCCC Player of the Week for Jan. 21-28 after he poured in 27 points against Kansas City Kansas, leading the Cavaliers to a 74-46 home win. He hit 11-of-17 shots, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. He also had 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. He followed with nine points, five boards, four assists and two steals in a two-point road loss at Coffeyville.
