DANVILLE — Every coach dreads the thought of trying to beat a team three times in a row.
Johnson County coach Rand Chappell experienced it first-hand this season, after beating Kansas City Kansas twice in the regular season, the Cavaliers lost 74-73 to the Blue Devils in the region championship.
Thanks to an at-large selection, Johnson County got a rematch against Kansas City Kansas on Wednesday and this time around the Cavaliers defeated the Blue Devils 90-63 in a consolation quarterfinal.
Sophomore Steven Samuels had the golden shooting touch for Johnson County, scoring a game-high 35 as the guard knocked down seven 3-pointers. The Cavaliers also got a double-double from Brandon Mann, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
BJ Stewart (15) and Cameron Williford (12) were the only players in double figures for Kansas City Kansas. Former Danville standout O’Shawn Jones-Winslow had 6 points, two assists and one rebound in his final game for the Blue Devils, who end their season at 26-10.
Johnson County (30-5) advances to play Henry Ford in the consolation bracket semifinals.