OVERLAND PARK — The Red Devils gave Johnson County Community College a run for their money Friday, but ultimately lost, 68-60, in the National Junior College Athletic Association region 6 semifinal.
The Allen men put a scare into the Johnson County Cavaliers with the teams tied 29-29 going into halftime.
The game remained contentious until midway through the second half good game plan that they executed well.”
Allen sophomore forward Yolaine Luthi went on a tear in the second half. She scored the majority of her team-leading 12 in the fourth quarter, pulling Allen within arm’s reach until but mounting fouls allowed the Scotties to pull away for the regional title.
“We did not fight back, especially in the first quarter,” Crane said. “The mountain was just too high to climb over after the first quarter. I told them ‘It’s not over. If you want it, then fight for it.’ We tried to do that.”
The entire weekend was not a wash for the Red Devils. After opening the tournament last Wednesday with a victory over Hesston, Allen expected a challenge from Fort Scott, who only a day earlier upset Allen’s arch-rival Neosho. Instead, the Red Devils jumped out to a 35-20 lead by halftime and cruised to a 58-47 victory. Freshman forward Tawhirikura Doyle and freshman guard Juana Rojas tied for the team leading in scoring with 12 each.
With Friday’s loss, Allen could be ending the season 21-5 and second in the Jayhawk Conference at 10-4.
Highland, meanwhile, received an automatic bid to the national tournament with their next leg scheduled for next weekend in Joplin.
The Scotties made it to the regional championship after upsetting top-ranked Johnson County Community College in Friday’s regional semifinal.
With Allen heading into the tournament ranked 10th in the NJCAA standings, Coach Crane believes it would be an injustice if selection committee officials did not award Allen with an at-large bid.
“People have got to realize on a national level that Region 6 is the toughest in the nation,” Crane said.
“You have three teams that are in the top 10 (nationwide) throughout the season. That says something about who needs to be in the national tournament. They look at the records. We lost five games, all to ranked opponents. That says a lot.”
Highland (17-12-6-18—53)
G/3pt FT F TP
Brittle 1/1 5 2 9
Hardy 0 0 0 2
Hull 0 4 3 11
Pierce 2 2 2 4
McNamara 4 4 12 24
Kincade 1 3 1 2
Johnson 0 1 1 1
Caldwell 0 0 1 0
Totals 18/1 16 12 53
Allen (6-10-11-15—42)
Luthi 6 0 4 12
Chambel 0 1 2 1
Doyle 4/1 0 4 9
Brown 1 2 2 4
Rojas 3/3 0 1 9
Garland 0 2 3 2
Peek 0 1 1 1
Bunch 0 0 2 0
Gear 2 0 0 4
Totals 16/4 6 19 42
