Date: 11/01/2023
The hoops season started with a victory for the Kankakee Community College men on Wednesday.
In the first half, Lincoln Trail College scored an early three-pointer, but KCC’s Jamonte Smith and Joshua Ray responded to put the Cavaliers up 4-3. A successful buzzer-beater 3-point shot from Cavs sophomore Chavez Woods capped off an 8-point run to give KCC the lead at halftime.
KCC also displayed talent among their freshmen, who contributed 21 of the Cavaliers’ 32 points in the half.
The Statesmen had a surge to score 8 points just minutes into the second half and erased KCC’s lead. KCC’s Noah Mason then made a bucket and Woods dropped another trey, effectively stopping the visitors’ momentum. The Cavs were able to extend the lead to 43-33 in the middle of the half. KCC freshman Fabian Desilva contributed late to the second half with eight-of-nine shooting from the free throw line.
The Cavaliers led for the remainder of the game and ended the night with a 73-63 victory.
Freshman Fabian Desilva scored 16 points and had 3 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers. Woods and another freshman, Khylan McKennie, added 14 and 13 points, respectively. Ray recorded 11 points.
The Cavaliers will host Governors State University’s JV team on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. That contest follows the KCC women’s basketball season opener against Lansing Community College at 4 p.m.
