Men’s Basketball: Raiders Beat Panthers/Larks

The Central Community College men's basketball team improved to 4-1 with victories over York University JV on Thursday and Hesston College on Saturday. Recaps of both wins are below. The Raiders will host Hastings College JV on Tuesday at the Raider Fieldhouse at 7:30 p.m.

Game 1: CCC 97  York JV 39

The Raiders scored early and often in a 97-39 victory over the Panthers. CCC held York to single digits over the first 15 minutes of play and went on to a 42-17 halftime lead. It was more of the same in the second half as the Raiders led by as many as 60 points and cruised to the win.

PJ Davis scored 21 points off the bench and led four CCC players in double figures. Trey Deveaux scored 19 points while Aidan Graham and Derek Merwick scored 11 points apiece.

"We came out with great energy and guarded well all night," said CCC head coach John Ritzdorf. "PJ played really well off the bench and did a great job attacking the basket. Trey continues to score it for us, and Derek did a great job of running the show and played a really good all-around game."

Game 2: CCC 86  Hesston College 75

The Raiders held off a second-half surge by the Larks to post an 86-75 victory. CCC led by 19 points twice in the first half and went on to lead 43-27 at halftime. Hesston scored 48 second-half points but could get no closer than the 11-point final margin.

Deveaux led all scorers with 30 points while Jayden Byabato and Merwick each scored 13 points.

"We got off to a good start and were able to keep the lead the whole game," said Ritzdorf. "Hesston has some really good shooters and they run a difficult offense to guard. I was proud of the guys for continuing to make plays when we needed to down the stretch to keep our lead."