11/28/11

Story by Tyler Cundith

M. Basketball – Cavaliers 1-1 at Hutch Classic

OVERLAND PARK, KS – The Johnson County Community College men’s basketball team got off to a slow start in both their games at the 2011 Hutchinson Thanksgiving Classic, and that translated to a 1-1 record. JCCC managed to erase a seven-point halftime deficit against Murray State College to post an 80-71 victory on Nov. 25. However, Johnson County was not a fortunate in a 73-76 loss to Central Community College, Nov. 26. Trailing by 11 at the break against the Raiders, the Cavaliers fought back but fell just shy of the victory.

Sophomore Quasim Jones of Philadelphia, Pa., had a huge tournament. Jones averaged 26.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals. He also shot 42 percent from the field and was a perfect 18-of-18 at the line. He is 43-of-46 on the season. Jones opened the Classic with 27 points against Murray State, and followed with a 26-point effort against Central.

In the Murray State win, sophomore Justin Leathers also had an impressive performance. He finished with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Christian Hildebrandt followed with 16 points and six boards, and sophomore guard Chris Brasher added 10 points.

Leathers and Hildebrandt also had solid efforts against Central. Leathers finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals. Hildebrandt had 14 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals. Sophomore Exavier Bass Brooks had his best effort of the season, pumping in 11 with three assists.

Johnson County has three games remaining before the Christmas break. They travel across town to face Penn Valley Nov. 30, host Brown Mackie Dec. 7 and travel to Hesston Dec. 10.

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