Children at the Campus Child Care Center at Kansas City Kansas Community College learned about Native American musical instruments from Thomas Ed Smith of the Native American Heritage Center during their annual Thanksgiving dinner Thursday. Smith both explained and played five different instruments and gave the children insight into Native American culture. (KCKCC Photos by Alan Hoskins) 

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils withstood an early 3-point assault by William Jewell’s JV and rolled to their seventh straight win 104-61 at the KCKCC Field House Thursday night.

Hitting four of their first five 3-point shots and six of their first nine attempts overall, the Cardinals raced to an early 22-17 lead. However, KCKCC ran off the next 15 points to take a 32-22 lead en route to a 39-32 halftime lead and then broke it open with 57.6 percent second half shooting.

KCKCC returns to action Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Penn Valley, an arch-rival ranked No. 3 in Division II.

Jonathan Wright led KCKCC with a career high 18 points including eight in the first five minutes while Melvin Gatson added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting along with a game high five assists. Derick Denny chipped in with 15 points including 3-of-4 three-pointers while Brett Jones and Monty Taylor scored 12 each Andre Metoyer 10.

Metoyer had a double double with 10 rebounds to go along with his 10 points while Hal Payne just missed with eight points and nine rebounds. The Blue Devils finished with 52.3 percent shooting for the game and enjoyed a 58-32 rebounding advantage while committing just nine turnovers.
 
 

The Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band and Jazz Combo were accompanied by two of the world’s best, bass player Christoph Luty and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Both members of the Jeff Hamilton Trio which is the backup on Barbra Streisand’s latest album, the two musicians gave hour-long clinics to both the Jazz Band and Jazz Clinic. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Members of Kansas City Kansas Community College multi-award winning Jazz Band and Jazz Combo got even better this week.

Jeff Hamilton, considered by some to be the world’s greatest drummer, and bassist Christoph Luty spent an hour working with each of the two groups in the KCKCC Band Room Wednesday.

Both are members of the Jeff Hamilton trio which performed Wednesday and Thursday at Jardine’s.

“The pianist was not able to get here in time from Los Angeles,” said KCKCC Jazz Director Jim Mair. Ten members of the Turner High School band also sat in on the clinics.

Following the clinics, 16 students and music department members attended the trio’s performance at Jardine’s.

“It was one of those performances that can be a life-changing moment,” said Mair. “The level of musicianship is just so high. One of the things we try to teach is the details, focus and concentration required to perform at the highest level and to see that kind of precision and musicality can be a light bulb moment.”

Mair frequently has top musicians in for clinics, especially those appearing with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra which he directs and are under contract to conduct clinics.

“Our students need to see the best and to get someone the caliber of Jeff Hamilton is a great opportunity that we don’t want to pass up,” said Mair.

The drummer for Lionel Hampton at age 20 and later a member of the Woody Herman Band, Hamilton currently tours with Diana Krall, has his own big band and his trio is featured as the backup on Barbra Streisand’s latest album. “Not many can play with a big band and a trio with such artistry and finesse.”

Mair said the timing if Hamilton and Luty’s clinic was exceptional because both the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo will be featured in the annual Fall Jazz Concert in the Performing Arts Center Tuesday.

“The things I wanted to get across were playing in the pocket and the groove and length between the bass player, drummer and band,” said Mair. “We program music with a high concentration on swing, which is the hardest part of the jazz language and something a lot of bands shy away from because it is difficult. The answers are not in the books. It’s a feeling and intuitiveness. What we want is the same spirit and freedom that Count Basie had, not the kind of sound associated with academic groups.”

Mair said improvement in the performances of the band and combo was immediate.

“Jeff was impressed with the group and especially the drummer, Rex Hancock (a freshman from Tonganoxie) and how he was able to adjust to Jeff’s suggestions, which is so critical as a musician,” said Mair.

The recipient of the Phil Witt Endowment Scholarship at KCKCC for 2009, Eva Ledesma (left) was joined (from left) by daughters Eliyzabth, 9; Karynn, 6: Eunicee, 11; and Nohemy, 13, and her husband, Efrain Morales, at the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame induction ceremonies where she delivered an emotional thank you for her scholarship. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Growing up in a small town in Mexico, Eva Ledesma not only was the first of a family of 10 to attend college but the first in her town. Attending college also meant sleeping on top of empty fruit boxes and walking four miles a day to attend classes.

Today, the 2009 recipient of the Phil Witt Endowment Scholarship is on pace to earn an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

“I always thought that everything is possible if you believe. Receiving this scholarship only proves that,” Ledesma told a crowd of nearly 230 at the 14th annual Mid-America Education Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at KCKCC Nov. 7. “My dream is to be an art therapist for young children and this scholarship will help me pursue my dreams. I plan on buying my first lap top computer to help me get a bachelor’s degree.”

Ledesma, who will receive her AA in May, currently does her research and other computer work in the College Library.

“But I get only 60 minutes and then have to wait so it’s hard,” said Ledesma, who plans to seek a bachelor’s degree in the Kansas City area.

The mother of four daughters, Ledesma already holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Morelia in Mexico earned after overcoming countless odds.

“We had no middle school in my town so I had to go to another town and then another town for high school,” she said.     “When I went to the university I had to walk two miles each way because I had no money to ride the bus and I slept on top of empty fruit boxes.”

Graduating in 1988, she taught science in high school for six months before coming to the United States. “My older brother was a citizen and I started going to school for English in Santa Ana, Calif.,” said Ledesma, who worked first as a housekeeper before getting more lucrative jobs in a camera factory and Child Care centers in Monterey County. She earned her U.S. citizenship in 1996.

Four years ago, Ledesma, her husband, Efrain Morales, and four daughters, Nohemy, 13; Eunicee, 11; Eliyzabeth, 9; and Karynn, 6, left California and came to Kansas City. “It was a much better place to raise our daughters,” she said.”The houses were cheaper here. We could not afford a house in California, also there was too much violence there.”

Ledesma, who had started taking Early Childhood classes in California, resumed her pursuit of a degree at KCKCC in 2007 and has one class to go for graduation in May.

“She just jumped right in. She shines in every class and is a real inspiration to her instructors and fellow students,” said Kris Hearn, the Coordinator of KCKCC’s Early Childhood program. “One of the assignments for her child nutrition class was to learn everything she could about a food and create a curriculum for children to learn about that food. She chose eggs and her research was so extensive that she filled a 3-inch binder and a 5 by 10-foot poster with facts about eggs, way above and beyond what was expected.”

Ledesma, who works in a Child Care Learning Center operated by Open Door Bible Church, has yet to decide where she’ll pursue a BA in Art Therapy for Children. “I love kids and like to do things in art with them. It is good therapy to do art.”

Last month, Ledesma lost her mother.

“She was a very strong person who encouraged me in so many ways,” says Ledesma, who returned to Mexico for the funeral. “It was very hard to go to school in Mexico but my mother was always encouraging. One time we had no money and I thought maybe I would stop college but my mother said she would sell popcorn on the street if she had to so that I would finish the university. She gave me energy.”

Despite cold and a hint of snow, Kansas City Kansas Community College put up the first of several “Buckle Up – It’s the Law” signs to be located throughout the campus Monday, Nov. 16. Looking on as Tony Sambol attached the first sign are (from left) Richard Lee, Dean of Student Services; Linda Sutton, Director of Student Activities; Larry Seal, Director of Buildings and Grounds; and Jason Sievers, Supervisor of Campus Police. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

College librarian Penny Mahon, Director of the Career Planning and Placement office Linda Wyatt  and Dean of Social and Behavioral Science Dr. Charles Wilson kicked off the “Kansas Reads to Preschoolers” literacy week activities at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Child Care Center with readings from the book “Wiggles.” (KCKCC Photos by Alan Hoskins) 

Children at the Child Care Center at Kansas City Kansas Community College are hearing all about “Wiggles” from college faculty, staff and students this week.

It’s all part of the Child Care Center’s annual participation in the “Kansas Reads to Preschoolers” literacy event which is designed to promote more fitness activities for young children within Early Childhood Education programs during the week of Nov. 15-21.

Dr. Charles Wilson, Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Linda Wyatt, Director of the Career Planning and Placement Office; and librarian Penny Mahon were initial volunteers to read this year’s campaign book, “Wiggles,” by Doreen Cronin. Joan Leavens of Kansas State University also was on campus to read to the preschoolers along with KCKCC instructor Deb Taylor and Public Health student Anna Ryan.

“In addition to the readings, we have several other preschool activities scheduled for this week,” said Doris Holleman, Director of the Campus Child Care Center. Some of those activities include Number Sense and Math, Music and Movement, Crafts, Social Skills, Physical Education and Health, Science, Multicultural and Early Literacy activities and Wiggle Week snacks.

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

An award-winning percussionist will join Kansas City Kansas Community College’s award-winning Jazz Band and Jazz Combo for the annual KCKCC Fall Jazz Concert Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Scott Prebys, who won the North Dakota Governor’s Award, will be featured on the Zen Drum, vibraphone and steel drum in the 7 p.m. concert in the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue. Tickets are $5.

Multi-award winners at the Pittsburg Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals and directed by Jim Mair, the Jazz Band and the 11 a.m. Jazz Combo will be joined by the 3 p.m. Jazz Band, the Latin Band under the direction of Jurgen Welge and the college’s community Blue Devils Big Band directed by David Chael in the performance of jazz classics by such legends as Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Bobby Shew, Les Hooper, Thad Jones, Joe Williams, Gordon Goodwin, Fats Navarro, Sammy Nestico, Grover Washington Jr. and Carlos Santana.

Students in the jazz groups are not only alumni of the Kansas City Kansas public schools but also Basehor-Linwood, Turner, Tonganoxie, Shawnee Mission, Lansing, Olathe, McLouth, DeSoto, Blue Valley and Lee’s Summit and Warrensburg, Mo., school districts along with the countries of Turkey and Korea.
 

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Fresh from winning a pressure-packed three-point shootout Saturday night, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s unbeaten Blue Devil men stretched their unbeaten record to 6-0 with a 78-52 win over Ottawa JV Monday night.

Home again Thursday at 7 p.m. against William Jewell’s JV, the win over Ottawa was the third in four days for the Blue Devils, who defeated Kansas Wesleyan’s JV 75-58 Friday and Brown Mackie 93-88 Saturday in the Brown Mackie Classic in Salina.

However, the KCKCC women had their four-game winning streak snapped by a 74-55 loss to Brown Mackie Saturday after a 68-54 Friday win over Hesston.

The Blue Devil men overcame Brown Mackie’s 57.4 percent shooting despite not being at full strength. Freshman Dennis Tinnon, the leading rebounder and second leading scorer, is out two to four weeks with a stress reaction in his left foot while scoring leader Derick Denny had to play without his contact lenses because of an eye infection.

Brown Mackie probably wished he’d had the contacts as Denny poured in a career high 35 points including 5 of 6 three-pointers in the first half. He finished 10 of 16 from the field including 8 of 13 treys and 7 of 8 free throws in what was a terrific battle of long range shooting.

Brown Mackie, which shot 64.5 percent the first half for a 49-47 lead, was 12 of 23 (.522) from three-point while KCKCC was 11 of 20 (.550) and 48.1 percent for the game.

Scott Fruehling added 14 points for KCKCC including 3-for-3 from distance while Jonathan Wright added 11 points and Monty Taylor 10. Although just 5-10, Melvin Gatson led in rebounds with six along with seven assists and seven points in a game that had 14 ties and 14 lead changes.

Andre Metoyer scored a career high 18 points and Hal Payne grabbed a career best 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils past Kansas Wesleyan. Metoyer was 8 of 10 from the field and added six rebounds. Frosh Monty Taylor also had a career high 15 points while Denny added 11 points, Fruehling 10, 9 and Payne 8.

KCKCC got contributions from many in the win over Ottawa’s JV. Fruehling led the scoring with 14 points while Gatson added 13, Denny and Taylor 12 each and Brett Jones 8; Wright had 9 rebounds, Payne 8 and Metoyer 7 as the Blue Devils dominated the boards 50-28; and Justin Dobler led in assists with four.

Four Lady Blue Devils scored in double figures as they won their fourth in a row 68-54 over Haskell Friday. Sarah Craft had 15 points, Alyssa Rushton 14 and Jerae David and Michelle Selbe 12 each as the Blue Devils shot 51 percent. Craft and Lori Schreiber led rebounding with eight each. 

Brown Mackie outscored KCKCC 21-3 from the three-point line in handing the Blue Devil women their first loss 74-53. The winners also got 20 points each and a combined 17 rebounds from Neasha Haynes and Danielle Smith and converted 23 KCKCC turnovers into 21 points.

Craft and Laci Schreiber each had 15 points and Michele Selbe and Alyssa Rushton 7 apiece for KCKCC. Schreiber also led all rebounders with 12 while Selbe, Rushton and Shannon Carlin each had seven.

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Fresh from winning a pressure-packed three-point shootout Saturday night, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s unbeaten Blue Devil men are right back in action tonight against Ottawa”s JV at 7 p.m. in the KCKCC Field House.

The Blue Devils ran their record to 5-0 over the weekend by beating Kansas Wesleyan’s JV 75-58 and Brown Mackie 93-88 in the Brown Mackie Classic in Salina but the KCKCC women had their four-game winning snapped by a 74-55 loss to Brown Mackie Saturday after a 68-54 win over Hesston on Friday.

The Blue Devil men overcame Brown Mackie’s 57.4 percent shooting despite not being at full strength.

Freshman Dennis Tinnon, the leading rebounder and second leading scorer, is out two to four weeks with a stress reaction in his left foot while scoring leader Derick Denny had to play without his contact lenses because of an eye infection.

Brown Mackie probably wished he’d had the contacts as Denny poured in a career high 35 points including 5 of 6 three-pointers in the first half.

He finished 10 of 16 from the field including 8 of 13 treys and 7 of 8 free throws in what was a terrific battle of long range shooting.

Brown Mackie, which shot 64.5 percent the first half for a 49-47 lead, was 12 of 23 (.522) from three-point while KCKCC was 11 of 20 (.550) from three-point and 48.1 percent for the game.

Scott Fruehling added 14 points for KCKCC including 3-for-3 from distance while Jonathan Wright added 11 points and Monty Taylor 10.

Although just 5-10, Melvin Gatson led in rebounds with six along with seven assists and seven points in a game that had 14 ties and 14 lead changes.

Andre Metoyer scored a career high 18 points and Hal Payne grabbed a career best 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils past Kansas Wesleyan. Metoyer was 8 of 10 from the field and added six rebounds.

Frosh Monty Taylor also had a career high 15 points while Denny added 11 points, Fruehling 10, 9 and Payne 8.

Four Lady Blue Devils scored in double figures as they won their fourth in a row 68-54 over Haskell Friday. Sarah Craft had 15 points, Alyssa Rushton 14 and Jerae David and Michelle Selbe 12 each as the Blue Devils shot 51 percent from the field. Craft and Lori Schreiber led rebounding with eight each.ras, 

Mackie Brown outscored KCKCC 21-3 from the three-point line in handing the Blue Devil women their first loss 74-53. The winners also got 20 points each and a combined 17 rebounds from Neasha Haynes and Danielle Smith and converted 23 KCKCC turnovers in 21 points.

Craft and Laci Schreiber each had 15 and Michele Selbe and Alyssa Rushton 7 apiece for KCKCC. Schreiber also led all rebounders with 12 while Selbe, Rushton and Shannon Carlin each had seven.

Six new plaques were added to the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College with the induction Nov. 7 of  (from left) Rich Rasdall, Dr. Jim Gill, Lincoln High School represented by Alumni President Marceline Cooley, the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center directed by Alan Murray, R. Crosby Kemper III and Ken Bingman. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

They came to be praised – but ended up handing out their own plaudits.

Recognized for their contributions to education by their induction into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College Nov. 7, the Hall’s newest members dwelt not on themselves but on the contributions to education by so many others – which, in part, is why they’re Education Hall of Famers.

The ceremonies were highlighted by the surprise induction of a shocked Rich Rasdall, whose induction was kept secret until the closing minutes.

A former class president at KCKCC who campaigned vigorously for construction of a new campus in the late 1960’s, Rasdall has served on the board of the KCKCC Endowment Association since 1991 and been board president the last eight years. Recently retired as CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Rasdall started his career as a teacher at Wyandotte High School.

A crowd of nearly 230 guests was on hand to welcome the new inductees – longtime educators Dr. Jim Gill and Ken Bingman, Kansas City (Mo.) Library Director R. Crosby Kemper III, the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center and Lincoln High School, now Lincoln College Preparatory Academy.

Also recognized were coaches and past members of the KCKCC Debate team, which has won six straight national championships under the direction of Coach Darren Elliott.

“People have suggested we move this event to a larger place but this gives us a chance to show off this wonderful campus, which is one of Wyandotte County and KCK’s greatest assets,” said Rasdall, who called his surprise induction one of the highlights of his life.   

Crosby Kemper also focused on KCKCC.

“Community colleges are the unsung heroes of American education,” he said. “What Kansas City Kansas and other community colleges do is so important in education but often unrecognized. Often you take the failures of K-12 programs and fight the distance relationship with four-year colleges. The role of community colleges is so important, more important than ever with what is done in the skill department and remedial part with such skill, intensity and care.”

Pointing out the success of the KCKCC debate team as well as debate teams at Kansas and Kansas City (Mo.) Central High School, Kemper noted: “If we have expectations and high standards, kids will meet those high expectations and standards. The only way we can fail is if we don’t have those high expectations and standards for ourselves.”

“I want to share this honor with hundreds of other people,” said Dr. Jim Gill, recently retired after 45 years as a middle school principal in Leawood. Thanks to his staff and attentive students with pride and citizenship, Gill’s Leawood Middle School scored a 96 composite on the Iowa Test for Basic Skills and had the highest score of any secondary school in the U.S. in the Organizational Health Inventory developed by the University of Arkansas.

A 1963 graduate of Wyandotte, Gill said one of his proudest moments came in a letter from his daughter, Becky.

“I want to tell you how proud I am. Everywhere I go when people find out you’re my dad they tell me what a great person you are and what a great job you’ve done with the schools and the kids in them. You have inspired kids and teachers and taught by example for them to have confidence in themselves and respect for others. Very few have accomplished so much. You are my hero.”

As president of the Lincoln High School-R.W. Coles Alumni Association (now Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, Marceline Cooley accepted on behalf of the school that was founded in 1865 to educate children of newly free slaves at the end of the Civil War.

“This has been a long-awaited moment for us and I can not be prouder than right now,” said Cooley. “This moment only helps me appreciate the past and understand our ancestors’ struggle for excellence in education and keeping the dream alive. We’ve seen war, depression, recession, segregation and integration and through it all we have made tremendous progress. In retrospect, we have gone from the kitchen to the White House.”

One of the largest alumni associations in the U.S., the Lincoln Association has provided more than $200,000 in scholarships to graduates and next July will hold a national alumni reunion at Crown Center.

Calling the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center (CTLC) a “Place where miracles happen,” Director Alan Murray said it was because of the efforts of many.

“Since 1947, it has served as a place of hope for countless families faced with unique challenges of a child born with disabilities,” said Murray, “It is a place where families have found hope, where can’t becomes can, where won’t becomes will and never doesn’t exist because of the devotion of hundreds of professionals all committed to insure each child fulfill their full potential.

“They are the true heroes, the ones who make the miracles happen every year, they and the hundreds of volunteers and supporters – partners in the miracle making. My promise to you will be that we will continue to provide high quality early education and therapeutic services in the manner of this recognition.”

A member of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Blue Valley West biology instructor Ken Bingman credited his students for his success.

“This honor is dedicated to my students,” said Bingman. “Their achievements are my inspiration and I thank them for their hard work and accomplishments. I am so proud. All the nice and neat things I’ve learned in 46 years of teaching I’ve learned from my students and I thank them. If I had to do it over, I would be a teacher. I am proud to be a teacher.”

Bingman also singled out the KCKCC Endowment Association.

“All of us want to leave a legacy that will improve the future and what this organization does is make a better place for all,” said Bingman, who called his induction into the Mid-America Hall of Fame one of the highlights of his career. “To be elected to this group, you have to be totally humbled and I am. This is an absolutely wonderful honor and a fabulous and fantastic evening.”

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available for veteran students who are still awaiting their education benefit claim to be processed.

Will Reed, the Veterans Certifying Official for Kansas City Kansas Community College, said eligible veterans can receive an advance of up to $3,000 which will be recouped from future benefit payments.

“If you are a KCKCC student who applied for one of the VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request a one-time advance payment at your local VA Regional Office or through the VA’s website, www.va.gov,” said Reed.

Reed said advance payments will be issued by the U.S. Treasury within three work days following submission of the request and that payments will be in the form of checks sent through the U.S. mail.

“You should therefore anticipate an additional three days (excluding Sunday)s for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your checks,” said Reed.

Further information on the educational benefits and how they might apply to KCKCC can be obtained by calling Will Reed at the KCKCC Leavenworth Center (913-651-2111). 

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology, Reed served 7½ years as a non-commissioned officer in JAG.

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

A course in Adult CPR/AED and First Aid will be offered by Kansas City Kansas Community College Saturday, Dec. 5.

Offered in partnership with the American Red Cross, the course will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  in the Conference Room of the Community Education Building located on the east side of the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue.

In addition to providing hands-on practice and real-life scenarios in adult CPR, the course will include training in the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Students area also trained to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults as well as how to apply basic precautions to reduce the risk of disease transmission during and after providing care.

In addition, first aid skills and useful take-home materials will be provided to help in the retention of skills and as reference tools in an emergency.

The cost of the course is $59. Persons can enroll by phone with credit card payment at 913-288-7660 or in person at the Community Education Building (CED) on the east side of the campus.
 

Flanked by (from left) coaches Mike Sylvara, Jon Oler and Bill Sloan (right), Kansas City Kansas Community College scoring leader Derick Denny signed a letter of intent Wednesday to attend Jacksonville State, a Division I member in Jacksonville, Ala. Also on hand were teammates (standing from left) Andre Metoyer, Chad Bailey, Scott Fruehling, Dennis Tinnon and Kevin Lysaught. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Deadly shooting guard Derick Denny is headed for Jacksonville State University ater he finishes what could be a record-setting scoring career at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

A 6-4 sophomore from Green Bay, Wis., Denny signed a letter of intent awarding him a full scholarship in front of family, friends and teammates Wednesday, Nov. 11.

With 15 three-point goals in 29 attempts (.517) in the Blue Devils’ first three games this season, Denny is on pace to set KCKCC records for three-point goals in a season (161) and career (190) and shooting percentage from three-point (.465).

His 108 three-point goals last season are third on the all-time list and No. 8 on the career list and his three-point percentage of .450 as a frosh is second all-time.

He’s also No. 2 on the list for shooting percentage for a single game, hitting 7 of 8 three-point shots against Haskell for 87.5 percent. Denny followed up the 7 of 8 performance with a career high 29 points in a 75-67 win over North Arkansas which included 7 of 14 three-pointers.

The Blue Devil scoring leader at 19.7 this season, Denny also led last year at 13.3 and finished the 2008-09 season with 55 three-point goals in his final 11 games despite double and triple-teaming by the talent-loaded Kansas Jayhawk Conference.

“He’s the best shooter I’ve coached,” said Blue Devil mentor Jon Oler. “I’ve had some good shooters but he’s far and away the best at getting off his shot. He really moves hard off screens and has the ability to cut to get open. Even the other night when North Ark knew he would be shooting threes, he got off 14 shots.”

Despite getting mounting inquiries from other Division I colleges, Denny decided to sign early in order to concentrate on the upcoming season.

“It was a security thing. They’re going to take care of me and my family with room, board and tuition and I really felt comfortable there,” said Denny, who has a 2-year-old son, Greg, with longtime significant other, Dahlia Munoz, who is also attending KCKCC. “Also, it’s in a good location close to Atlanta.”

A Division I university located in Jacksonville, Ala., about 45 minutes from Atlanta, Jacksonville State is coached by Jerry Green, who is in his second season as head coach after taking Mississippi State to the NCAA Division I tournament in 2008. “They run a lot of picks and screens to set up good shots like we do here,” said Denny.

“Ever since he was in eighth grade, he’s wanted to play Division I basketball and may have had a chance out of high school had he not got hurt,” said his father, Matthew Denny.

A torn ACL cost Denny most of his junior year at Seymour High School in Green Bay and he reinjured it before his senior year and missed half of that season.

A Native American, Denny is a member of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin. His sister, Mariea Denny, was a student at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence when Denny was seeking a place to play basketball.

Learning of KCKCC, he was given a look by the Blue Devil coaching staff which immediately offered him a scholarship.

Denny’s signing at KCKCC proved a double bonus for the Blue Devil men’s program.

Dennis Tinnon, a 6-7 forward who played against Denny in high school at Green Bay East, joined his former rival this fall and leads the Blue Devils in rebounds (10.0) and is second in scoring (19.3).
 

Tracy Thomas gets ready to deliver a blow to her stalker played by LeVance Rucker while her roommates, Vanessa Hall and Megan Buchanan (right) look on in a scene from the Kansas City Kansas Community College Drama Club’s production of “Extremities” to be performed Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 19-22. (KCKCC Photo by Charles Leader)

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Coming on the heels of its highly acclaimed performance of “Rent,” the Kansas City Kansas Community College Drama Club will perform William Mastroimone’s raw and brazen “Extremities” Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 19-22.

Directed by Vicki Wendt, performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the College’s Performing Arts Center at 7250 State Avenue. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door.

Fast-paced, violent and sometimes cruel, “Extremities” tells the tale of a stalker, who intrudes up an unemployed young woman who he attempts to rape. However, she swiftly turns the tables, caging him in a fire place and torturing him.

Tracy Thomas, a graduate of Wyandotte High School pursing a degree in Theatre, portrays Marjorie, the subject of the advances of Raul, the stalker played by LeVance Rucker of Clinton, Mo., who is making his acting debut.

The significance of “Extremities” is in the behavior, especially of Marjorie towards Raul, and her roommates who must also deal with the situation. Their roles are played by Vanessa Hall (Terry), a Theatre major who graduated from Turner High School, and Megan Buchanan (Patricia), a graduate of F.L. Schlagle majoring in Elementary Education and Theatre.

A 2008 graduate of KCKCC with an Associate of Arts Degree in Theatre, Wendt is directing her third play for the college. A Washington High School graduate, she has also written three plays produced at KCKCC and been involved in more than a half-dozen other college productions.

Wendt’s husband, Charles Wendt, is in charge of set design while other contributing personnel include Sharon Chase, lighting; Brandy Hoover, property; Skye Reid, costumes; Ian Corbett, sound; Felicia Drury and Jamie Shurtz, graphic design; and Tiffany Garrison-Schweigert, technical direction.

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

If a sweep of doubleheaders in the 6th Annual Keith Lindsey Classic is any indicator, Kansas City Kansas Community College could be in for a banner basketball season.

The Lady Blue Devils raced past Cottey College 67-44 and arch-rival Penn Valley 71-54 while the KCKCC men defeated Haskell JV 132-56 and North Arkansas 75-67 as both moved to 3-0.

The Classic was highlighted by near-record shooting performances by the Green Bay duo of sophomore Derick Denny and freshman Dennis Tinnon, who combined to make 20 of 24 shots in the rout of Haskell.

Denny was 7 of 8 from 3-point range for 87.5 percent, a shooting percentage bettered only by an 8 for 9 effort (.889) by Ray Smith in 1994; while Tinnon was 12 of 14, an .857 percentage that is third on the all-time list behind Henry Thomas (10-10) and Sebastien King (15-16).

Six Blue Devils finished in double figures. Tinnon led with 26 points with Denny adding 23, Brett Jones 18, Melvin Gatson 16, Hal Payne 13 and Andre Metoyer 10 as all 12 Blue Devils scored.

Tinnon also had 11 rebounds and Payne 8 as KCKCC held a 52-24 rebounding edge while Scott Fruehling had seven assists, Gatson six and Jones five.

Denny followed up with another 29 points against North Ark including 7 of 14 3-pointers while Fruehling and Tinnon each added 14 points.

Tinnon again led in rebounding with eight while Metoyer and Denny added six each and Chris McDonald five. Fruehling led in assists with six as the Blue Devils built a 39-30 lead and stayed in command.

The KCKCC women used balance for its sweep with at least five players scoring eight or more points in each game.

Former Piper standout Michelle Selbe had 16 points, Sarah Craft and Alyssa Rushton 12, Jerae David 10 and Lori Schreiber and Melanie Phipps 8 each in the win over Penn Valley.

Schreiber also had 15 rebounds, Sharron Carlin 9, Selbe 8 and Rushton and David 7 each as KCKCC had a 59-32 rebounding superiority to offset 37 turnovers.

Selbe also led against Cottey, scoring 19 points while Rushton added 11 and Craft, Schreiber and Carlin 8 each. 

Phipps led rebounding with nine while Schreiber and Rushton each had eight and Craft seven. Leading 36-29, KCKCC limited the Comets to just four second half field goals and 13.6 percent shooting.

Both teams are in Salina this weekend for the Brown Mackie Classic. The women play Hesston at 1 p.m.

Friday and Brown Mackie Saturday at 5 p.m. while the men play Kansas Wesleyan’s JV Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Brown Mackie Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The men are back home Monday, Aug. 16, against Ottawa’s JV; the women return Nov. 24 against Missouri Valley.